Donegal Rally preview: Friday shake-up precedes weekend classics

The big one beckons – three days of exhilarating performances, awe-inspiring attacks, and stunning summer scenes – it is Donegal International Rally week.

You couldn’t catch a breath during last year’s captivating north-west blockbuster and this weekend’s edition has all the signs to be just as brilliant.

The top ten, from Josh Moffett to Declan Boyle, is filled with stars names that have both strong Donegal Rally heritage and recent Irish Tarmac form.

Throw Matt Edwards into the mix and Donegal has a recipe full of flavour, plenty of spice, and an end result that is anybody’s guess.

Callum Devine is ITRC’s recent form man and showed 12 months ago that he can set the benchmark in Donegal. The Derry driver’s off on Sunday’s opener equally proved how the rally can quickly turn on its head. His accident also cost him runs over High Glen and Atlantic Drive – two tests that could prove pivotal this Sunday.

Kevin Gallagher will look to defend his National title aboard his rapid Darrian T90 with Kevin Eves, Gary Kiernan, and Declan Gallagher just some of the modified masters that will be hot on his heels.

ITRC’s Rally4, Historic, and Junior categories have been a treat so far this year and will add yet more competitive storylines to follow.

Friday (77.30 km)

Donegal Bay (14.87 km), SS1/4

The Donegal International Rally has moved south for day one of its 2023 edition with three stages between Ballyshannon and Donegal Town.

Donegal Bay will be a tough opener for this year’s expectant crews. There is plenty of gravel littering the near-15 kilometres with its fair share of bumps and jumps too.

We can expect some drama on stage one – it is not your typical Donegal International stage.

Parts of day one’s stages were used in the 2009 Rally Ireland, so it is an exciting shake-up to this year’s itinerary.

Rockhill (11.63 km), SS2/5

Another tricky stage for crews on day one. It might demand some caution to the wind with several corners that could easily catch out somebody struggling to find their rhythm at the start of Ireland’s longest rally.

Copany (12.15 km), SS3/6

Friday’s final stage brings the rally back to Donegal Town. Like the two previous tests, Copany has a few tricks up its sleeve with Donegal’s competitors glad to survive this demanding opening day on this fast finale.

Saturday (118.93 km)

Carnhill (15.74 km), SS7/10/13

Carnhill is a staple stage on Donegal’s Saturday itinerary. This year’s version will be the third-longest stage of the three-day event based on fast, committed roads.

The 15-kilometre test starts off with a series of square right and left junctions with some intense narrow sections adding to its fast nature.

Garrygort (10.83 km), SS8/11/14

Another familiar Donegal stage but one that wasn’t used 12 months ago. It will be a quick burst through its 10 kilometres with a few corners that arrive quicker than expected.

Knockalla (19.61 km), SS9/12

Knockalla is the one that everyone is waiting for. There aren’t many stages with as much hype and fanfare – and rightly so, it is one of Ireland’s special tests.

Running in the same format as last year, after a popular change to its middle splits. Knockalla starts with its iconic hairpins, a natural amphitheatre with its stunning Portsalon backdrop.

Its fast and flowing nature quickly changes when crews turn inland onto narrow, bumpy roads. 19.61 kilometres that will be savoured by all.

Sunday (84.32 km)

High Glen (12.00 km), SS15/18

Sunday starts with a fast, committed assault through High Glen. A famous Donegal stage that is competitive in its very nature.

It starts off bumpy, then gets twisty, and can be slippery under trees before getting very committed after the iconic past through Glen Village.

The route matches last year’s version which of course ruined Alastair Fisher’s hopes of a maiden Donegal victory when he suffered a puncture on what was the penultimate stage.

Atlantic Drive (12.26 km), SS16/19

Atlantic Drive is nothing short of amazing and is one of those Irish stages you couldn’t find anywhere else in the world.

12 kilometres of flowing corners that link into nice sequences that generally have good levels of grip.

2023 repeats last year’s version of Atlantic Drive which ended Matt Edwards’ chances of a sensational rally win.

Fanad Head (17.90 km), SS17/20

Fanad Head will be Donegal’s final famous stage for the competitors who make it through to Sunday afternoon.

Running in the same direction as last year, it sticks to the coast with its technical characteristics. There is so much work in it and it is always very hard on tyres. The last section can be slippery under the trees, there is no break in it really.

Photo by Roger Dawson