A ‘tap tap tap’ sound disturbed the tranquillity, as a dark dusk descended on Ballyhiernan Bay last Saturday night. This was at a cottage where we were staying, beside the three mile long deserted Fanad beach. Even the cows in the next field wandered over to the fence to see what was disturbing the peace. It felt like a million miles away from the madness of the rally followers in Letterkenny on their Saturday night whoop up. It turned out that the tapping sound emanated from the hard working taping crews, knocking in posts in readiness for the next day’s Fanad Head stage. They were back at 05.00. It was reminder of the work of the legions of behind the scenes volunteers who toil to make the Joule Donegal International Rally swing into action like a well oiled machine.

Indeed it is a similar story with nearly all rallies. It certainly makes the entry fee look cheap. Earlier that evening we had made a trip up to the Fanad Lighthouse Tavern. It was really noticeable just how slippy the road seemed, even for our almost vintage Mercedes Vito Rally News machine going at a pedestrian canter. As it turned out, Fanad was slippy in the extreme the next day as well, with at least four of the top International runners sliding into ditches and out of the rally. No such problem though for Manus Kelly/Donal Barrett in their Melvyn Evans Subaru. They drove the stage of their lives to win their home International Rally. The partying will probably go on all week! It was tough on Keith Cronin/Mikie Galvin to be pipped at the post.

The rally had, over the course of its 20 special stages, 6 different leaders - Declan Boyle, Donagh Kelly, Seamus Leonard, Sam Moffett, Keith Cronin and then Manus Kelly when it mattered most – at the finish of the 2nd run over Fanad. There was never a dull moment! This most recent event will no doubt go down in the glorious annals of the 45 years of the Donegal Rally as one of the most fascinating ever. There were highs and there were lows: just ask Garry Jennings, Declan Boyle or Donagh Kelly about the lows, all three forced into retirement with mechanical problems, despite their very best preparation efforts.

The story can of course be traced on Rally News on our website, although the full extent of the work, effort and expertise put into this massive event by Clerk of the Course, Eamonn McGee, a man in a million with time for everyone, and all his team, will never be fully known or appreciated. In terms of the Clonakilty Blackpudding Tarmac Championship, Keith Cronin’s maximum points score in Donegal puts him back on track following two difficult events for him – the Circuit and the Killarney Lakes. With five events out of seven to count, and ‘points and a half’ for the Cork ‘20’, it is all to play for. The current standings are: Alastair Fisher and Sam Moffett 54, Keith Cronin 49.5, Stephen Wright and Josh Moffett 48. One section of the rally which we didn’t get to cover was the Junior Rally. Michael Boyle, co-driven by Dermot McCafferty in their Civic, took a narrow 2.9s win over Paul Creamer/Patrick Durning, also in a Honda. Michael Boyle is Declan Boyle’s son, and this may have been some consolation to Declan after he was sidelined from an almost certain 2nd Donegal victory by an unbelievable electrical/mechanical gear selection gremlin in his Fiesta WRC.

It is another Championship that will hit the headlines this weekend coming (25th June) – the Dumfries based Scottish Rally is the 4th round of the British Rally Championship, as well as being a counter in the Scottish series. All eyes will be on the battle at the top between Welshman Elfyn Evans, Swedish sensation Fredrik Ahlin and Monaghan’s Josh Moffett. Of course there are several more drivers who could do well: Portglenone’s Desi Henry for example, driving his Skoda R5, was dazzling in his manner of taking victory on the DMack Carlisle stages a few weeks ago. That event utilised forests just down the road from the Scottish Rally territory and have a lot of similarities. That Carlisle result should give Desi a confidence boost. However there are a quite a few talented drivers in this rally. For instance, David Bogie and Euan Thorburn on their home soil could go well, while drivers such as Tom Cave and Jamie Anderson may also claim lots of BRC points and Scottish Rally kudos.

Further drivers from here making the trip to Dumfries include Jonny Greer in his Citroen DS3 R5, Killarney’s Rob Duggan in his Adam, Rob currently leading the British Junior standings, and Castlederg’s Adam Bustard in his Fiesta R2T. Jonny Greer is still a bit sore following his Fanad Head excursion, but is going ahead with the Scottish. Jonny was actually using the car in Donegal that Craig Breen drove on the Circuit, so he is reverting to his own car for Dumfries.

Also taking place this weekend is the classic ERC Ypres Rally. Callum Devine went straight out to Belgium following his great result in Donegal and will stretch his Opel Adam’s legs again this weekend in the Belgian countryside. Marty McCormack was due to make the trip, but has had to cancel as unfortunately he has suffered a crushed hand, sustained in his contracting work.

Closer to home, rally action will centre on Waterford with the Ravens Rock Rally. Although not a round of the Triton National series, this always enjoyable Carrick-on-Suir MC event is a counter in the Suirway South East Stages series as well as the Southern 4. CoC Terence Kearney has laid on two very good stages, each to be driven three times. The entry is interesting, and just some of the top names include Dean Raftery, Mick O’Brien and Eoin Doyle, all in World Rally Cars. Alan Ring is making the trip over from Killarney to compete in his Fiesta R5. Just some of the top Escort exponents include Mickey Conlon, Barry Ryan, David Condell and Enda O’Brien. Kevin O’Donoghue has entered his beautiful new BMW M-330, while the GpN category should be well represented by Neill Tohill in his Lancer.

Looking further ahead to the 2nd July Orchard Motorsport Lurgan Park Rally, well known driver Oran Donnelly has launched an initiative open to the winner of a ballot to co-drive for him in Lurgan Park. All proceeds from the ballot will go the NI Children’s Hospice. The high profile Lurgan Park Rally, with its central paddock service area, short sharp stages and massive spectator and press attendance, is an absolute dream to be part of. With its select, restricted entry, every crew gets maximum attention as well as a lot of enjoyment!

Looking further forward, it is all stations go for the Smartpart ALMC Stages Rally on 3rd July, the day after Lurgan Park. ALMC is attracting an interesting mix of entries, as it is a counter in three divergent but top quality Championships – the Triton Showers National Championship, the MSA Asphalt and the Midlands East Championships. Entries of note include the Triton Showers National Championship leader Roy White in his Focus WRC, Peadar Hurson (Subaru) and Declan Boyle (Fiesta WRC). Visiting MSA Asphalt drivers include Damien Cole, Hugh Hunter, Melvyn Evans and Steve Simpson, all in top class machinery. Unfortunately last year’s winner Mark Straker will not be in Trim this time as his Darrian isn’t ready. Frank Kelly is one of the drivers who plans to contest both Lurgan Park and ALMC, and he will be up against some top Mk2 pilots such as Chris Armstrong, Trevor Mulligan and Killarney National runner-up Jack Newman, all vying for the Mk2 Trophy. The ALMC organisers already have 100 plus entries, and the list remains open, although seeding will take place on the 23rd June.

As always, Donegal is such a major event there are always stories that don’t get aired – just a couple of them include: Declan McNaughton for example was entered for the rally and had a confirmed start place. His friend and also his car technician, Gabriel, decided to fulfil a long held ambition to do the rally, and he also entered. Declan got his entry but Gabriel didn’t and was well down the reserve list. They both did the recce and day by day the reserve list reduced, but almost on the deadline Gabriel was 1 off getting going. McNaughton made an instant decision, went to the organisers to request they let Gabriel start if he pulled out – which is what happened – very sporting!

We printed a Rally News story about James Cullen losing his glasses on the rally, and he had to set off from service wearing Joe Friel’s specs, which wasn’t entirely clever. However James’ partner Reba raced home to Letterkenny from Milford, raced back and stopped Robbie Peoples on his way into the stage, gave him the glasses and Robbie caught up with James in the stage arrival queue! James was able to see again, and finished the rally in 27th place.

Finally, a reminder --- it is 10 years since another Scotsman won the Donegal National Rally. His name was Colin McRae.