The Triton Showers Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship moves into its penultimate round on Saturday, October 10, as the An Grianan Hotel Donegal Harvest Stages Rally returns to the calendar following a year’s absence.
Organisers, Donegal Motor Club, have confirmed a full capacity 166 starters for the Burt-based event, with a further 56 crews occupying the reserve list.
A new winner is set to emerge for the first time since 2018 following the absence of four-time event winner Callum Devine.
With the overall drivers’ national title already secured, newly crowned Irish Tarmac Champion Josh Moffett sits out the event as he targets a rare treble across the Tarmac, Forestry, and National series. Brother Sam Moffett (Armagh) takes the wheel of the family Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 alongside Limerick co-driver Keith Moriarty, aiming to seal the overall national co-drivers’ title for Moriarty, who usually navigates for Josh.
Local talent dominates the sharp end of the field. Pettigo man Kevin Eves and co-driver Chris Melly lead the entry at number one in their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, chasing their first national victory on the back of what has been a standout first season in the top class.
They are closely followed by Michael Boyle and Dermot McCafferty in a similar Fabia RS. Having racked up three consecutive overall victories in Wexford, the Cork 20, and the Fastnet last season, the local pair would dearly love to add their home event to their roll of honour.
Round one winner David Kelly, with Kerry co-driver Shane Buckley calling the pacenotes, pilots another Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 and looks to add a home win to his Mayo and Circuit of Ireland victories following a strong showing at the recent Cork 20.
Longford’s Shane Quinn (Ford Fiesta Rally2) starts at car five, while former three-time event winner Declan Boyle lines up at car six in his Fabia RS Rally2 alongside Welsh navigator Patrick Walsh. Derry’s Desi Henry (Ford Fiesta) carries number seven with local co-driver Dean O’Sullivan, directly ahead of Carlow Rally winners Matthew Boyle and Declan Boyle in another Fabia RS.
Ryan McHugh and James McBrearty showed great pace at the recent Wexford Rally (Ford Fiesta) line up at car nine , with Tyrone’s Jason Dickson (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) completing the top ten alongside Neil Shanks.
Further quality in the main category sees Mayo’s John Warren (Ford Fiesta Rally2), West Cork’s Cal McCarthy (Citroen C3 Rally2), and locals Aidan Wray (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2), and Joseph McGonigle (Citroen C3 Rally2) all hunting strong results.
Event sponsor PJ McDermott and his son PJ Junior are both on the entry list as PJ Junior makes his Rally2 debut in a Ford Fiesta Rally2, while father PJ Sr competes in a similar machine. Championship sponsor Paul Barrett (Citroen C3 Rally2) also makes a welcome return to competitive action after a long absence.
The modified field promises sparks of its own. Cavan’s Aaron McIntyre (Toyota Starlet RWD) leads the Class 14 field at number 22 alongside Darren O’Brien, directly ahead of local hero Kevin Gallagher and Ryan Moore in the formidable Darrian T90 GTR. Monaghan’s Gary McPhillips and Kerry navigator Ger Conway bring their Ford Escort Mk2 into the mix, while former Irish National champion Daniel McKenna returns following a class win at the Cork 20. Popular local driver Declan Gallagher also makes a welcome return to domestic competition in his Toyota Starlet.
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Class 2 hosts a critical battle in both the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup and National class points. Cavan’s Oran England and Darragh Mullen (Sligo) lead the standings in their Peugeot 208 Rally4, holding a narrow two-point margin over Danny Brady (Cavan). Ben McFall (Antrim) and Mark McGeehan (Derry) head the class on the road at seed 60 in their Ford Fiesta Rally4.
In the Historic ranks, Dublin’s Michael Cullen and Lorcan Moore lead the entry at seed 136 in their BMW E30 M3. Cillian Doherty and Anthony O’Halloran are the top seeds in the nine-strong Dacia Sandero Cup.
Class 16 Junior honours will see a tight tussle among local Honda Civic crews, led on the road by recently crowned Irish Tarmac Junior Champions Aaron Reid and Caolan Reid at seed 74.
Cillian Doherty and Anthony O’Halloran are the top seeds in the nine-strong Dacia Sandero Cup.
Nine stages offering 104 competitive kilometres across the Burt, Rooskey, and Dooish loops await competitors. The first car leaves the start ramp just after 8:00 AM on Saturday morning, returning to the An Grianan Hotel finish ramp around 4:30 PM, with the main service park situated in close proximity to the hotel.
