TOPAZ Donegal International Rally 2008 Day One and Donnelly leads on his comeback in the Fabia WRC

Eugene Donnelly marked his ITC comeback in fine style to lead the rally after day one. He appeared relaxed and happy and glad to be at the sharp end once more. There were no real worries today for him but it remains to be seen if the little Fabia can last the three days. Second placed Gareth MacHale was also happy with his day's work, not to far behind Donnelly, and after a slow start set good times towards the end of the day.

Runaway championship leader Eamonn Boland is third a second behind Gareth and playing it cool as some of his rivals have already retired leaving the prospect of the ITC crown very close. Lynch is fourth and PJ McDermott fifth having one of his best days in the ITC. Kris Meeke is having another great drive in sixth but says there is nothing he can do on the fast stuff, the car just hasn't got the power, also he suspects may have differential problem. Retirements included McNulty and Elliot who retired their Subarus on SS3 with mechanical problems, McNulty with a cracked cylinder head and Elliot with transmission maladies. Also McGarrity, the leader after SS1, with power steering failure as the pump broke.

Seamus Leonard is leading Group N despite an off on the first corner of the rally also one of his times had to be altered after a query. Damien Tourish is having an impressive day and is second in Group N from Niall McShea who states is bedding himself into the Evo. Jennings is fourth in Group N and still in touch while Roy White is having starter motor trouble and is off the pace. Damien Gallagher leads a hotly contested National section which witnessed three different leaders today. Early leader Phil Collins spun on one of the later stages dropping to fifth just ahead of visitor Callum Duffy. Another national leader today was David Bogie in the 6R4, he ended the day second and would be 10th O/A if classified in the International section.

Day One action

In car John McGlaughlin SS2 Cark Mountain

 

TOPAZ DONEGAL INTERNATIONAL RALLY AT LETTERKENNY (ROUND 5 OF GLOBAL GROUP IRISH TARMAC CHAMPIONSHIP): OVERNIGHT POSITIONS AFTER 6 STAGES:

1 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Skoda Fabia WRC) 40m 19s,

2 Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) 40m 32s,

3 Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey (Subaru Impreza WRC) 40m 33s,

4 Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Ford Focus WRC) 40m 58s,

5 P J McDermott/Killian Duffy (Subaru Impreza WRC) 41m 10s,

6 Kris Meeke/David Moynihan (Renault Clio S1600) 41m 57s,

7 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) 42m 02s,

8 Daniel Doherty/Michael Doherty (Subaru Impreza WRC) 42m 04s,

9 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Toyota Corolla WRC) 42m 08s,

10 Damien Tourish/Domhnall McAlaney (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 42m 51s.

Group N Production Class:

1 Damien Tourish/Domhnall McAlaney,

2 Niall McShea/Marshall Clarke (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 43m 07s,

3 Gary Jennings/Rory Kennedy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 43m 08s.

NATIONAL EVENT:

1 David Bogie/Kevin Rae (MG Metro 6R4) 42m 37s,

2 Gary McPhillips/Paul Sheridan (Ford Escort) 43m 06s,

3 Wesley Patterson/Martin McGarrity (Ford Escort) 43m 11s.

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