Donegal Rally abandoned after tragic accident on Day Two, Results stand after SS11

An eighteen year old spectator was tragically killed on the rally after being struck by a competing car on SS11, Carnhill. The rally was stopped as a mark of respect and results stand after SS11.

Up to that point it had been a great rally for Eugene Donnelly in the Skoda Fabia WRC. He was leading by 19s and seemed to have the rally under control until the terrible tragedy. Eugene commented to the Sunday Life newspaper that this was "a tragic day for the sport" and added "the result becomes only a trivial matter in circumstances like these" .

Donnelly had been in the lead since SS2 and was enjoying the revitalised Skoda. Behind him, though, there were a few battles going on and it was Kevin Lynch who was looking like the major threat as he reacclimatized to the Focus. He was fastest on SS8 Garrygort, as he set about chasing down Gareth MacHale for second. Lynch got the Focus into second and felt he could have a go at Donnelly, but we will never know if he could have got passed him. MacHale was third, and Boland fourth virtually guaranteeing him the championship.

Local, Daniel Doherty was fifth after having a titanic battle with Kris Meeke in the giant killing S1600 Clio. Meeke had been as high as fifth but suffered a differential scare and with no spare had to change to a donor S1600 206 diff. His great run came to an end on Garrygort, putting the car off the road and damaging the radiator. PJ McDermott suffered a huge scare as he nearly dropped his Subaru into the Atlantic on Knockalla, retiring from the rally. Seamus Devine almost followed McDermott as he retired after an off on Knockalla. Glenn Allen had a good run to seventh in the Corolla WRC.

Group N was another fascinating battle with McShea taking the honours from Garry Jennings with Seamus Leonard third and early pace setter Damien Tourish fourth, all four piloting Evos. The national category was as equally as exciting with Phil Collins (Escort) being victorious after a comeback to beat the much fancied Gary McPhilips also in an Escort. David Bogie, though had been the star, opening up a 30s lead until he retired with engine problems on SS10 in the Oakbank Services 6R4.

Full results can be found on the link below, features class results etc

http://www.nersresults.co.uk/html/2008/donegal_int/overall/tindex.html

 

PJ McDermott on the precipice, Knockalla. Pic courtesy Daniel Gallagher

Seamus Devine also tried to head for the Atlantic, image Leigh Cavanagh http://leigh-sless.bebo.com/

Action from the Donegal Rally 2008

Action from Knockalla

Kris Meeke on board Knockalla

John mcGlaughlin In Car Knockalla

In-car Gary McPhilips Knockalla

In car Adrian Hetherington Knockalla

In-car Rodney Wilton on Knockalla

Manus Kelly in-car Knockalla

Damien Gallagher on board Knockalla

On board Mark "psycho" Alcorn on Breenagh

Choppers can be a distraction in Donegal. Image courtesy Mitybuck20:

                    

Clips of the rally prior to SS11, first clip features stills of Seamus Devine's lucky escape on Knockalla

Clip featuring David Bogie having a minor indiscretion

 

Positions after SS11 (rally abandoned)

1 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Skoda Fabia WRC) 1h 14m 51s,

2 Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Ford Focus WRC) 1h 15m 10s,

3 Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) 1h 15m 12s,

4 Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1h 15m 27s,

5 Daniel Doherty/Michael Doherty (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1h 18m 10s,

6 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1h 18m 35s,

7 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC) 1h 18m 47s,

8 Niall McShea/Marshall Clarke (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 1h 20m 04s,

9 Gary Jennings/Rory Kennedy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 1h 20m 12s,

10 Seamus Leonard/Gerry McVeigh (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 1h 20m 44s.

Group N Production Class:

1 Niall McShea/Marshall Clarke,

2 Gary Jennings/Rory Kennedy,

3 Seamus Leonard/Gerry McVeigh.

NATIONAL EVENT:

1 Phil Collins/Derek Brannigan (Ford Escort) 1h 20m 02s,

2 Gary McPhillips/Paul Sheridan (Ford Escort) 1h 20m 18s,

3 Rodney Wilton/Conor McMahon (Ford Escort) 1h 20m 23s.

 

Provisional ITRC championship points following Donegal

Overall:

1 EAMONN BOLAND 63 10 15 15 15 8
2 GARETH MacHALE 34 0 12 0 12 10
3 KEVIN KELLEHER 32 7 4 8 8 5
4 TIM McNULTY 29 12 10 0 7 0
5 AARON MacHALE 26 8 8 10 0 0

Group N:

1 KEVIN KELLEHER 64 15 10 15 12 12
2 JOHN McGLAUGHLIN 49 12 15 12 0 10
3 BRENDAN CUMISKEY 30 7 12 10 0 1
4 GARRY JENNINGS 25 10 0 0 0 15
5 MARK NANGLE 19 6 0 6 0 7

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