Devine: Cork 20 is straightforward, we need to win

September 25, 2024 Rallyinsight

Defending Irish Tarmac Rally Champion Callum Devine is keeping things simple ahead of Sunday’s title-deciding Cork 20 Rally.

Devine, and his Kerry-based co-driver Noel O’Sullivan, lie five points adrift of year-long championship leaders Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin heading into the seven-round series single-day showdown.

As one can imagine, there are endless title permutations. The simplest being: if Devine wins on Sunday and Cronin finishes second, Cronin claims the Irish Tarmac crown. If Cronin finishes third, the title goes Devine’s way.

Responding to my question about his mindset ahead of Cork 20’s eight-stage finale, Devine was full of positivity:

“I am pretty relaxed to be honest, looking forward to the rally more than anything else.

“The title scenario is pretty straightforward for us,” the 30-year-old continued. “We need to go flat out to get a win.

“After that, the championship will work itself out, that is outside our control. We have a job to do – go flat out to try to get top Irish Tarmac points.

“It won’t be an easy task because there are a lot of quick drivers heading to Cork but it will be a nice battle.”

The two-time Cork 20 winner fought back from third on Saturday morning to first on Sunday afternoon to win a thrilling edition of the rally 13 months ago. Devine’s 2.7-second winning margin over Meirion Evans was crucial to secure his and O’Sullivan’s maiden Irish Tarmac title.

“I don’t know if they [previous close battles in Cork] help,” laughed Devine. “We have been to Cork a few times, we have had some success down there but have also been on the losing end too, back when Josh [Moffett] pipped us in 2022.

“Cork always puts on a great event so we will enjoy it.

“Keith is from Cork too and the same boy won’t be hanging about. Hanging about isn’t his style and we have seen what his speed is like all year.”

The Cork 20 Rally will be Devine’s fourth event behind the wheel of his Skoda Fabia Rally2. His memorable Donegal International Rally victory was followed up with a runner-up finish behind Cronin on the Ulster Rally and a top-five finish in the European Rally Championship’s Rali Ceredigion.

But how does Devine reckon his Skoda will perform in the Cork countryside?

“Cork tends to be quite smooth,” Devine described. “Maybe the stages will be a bit similar to Donegal’s Saturday stages. Hopefully that will suit the Skoda.

“The last two rallies [Rali Ceredigan and Ulster Rally] have been quite bumpy and choppy.

“Let’s just say that I am looking forward to seeing how the Skoda goes in Cork, I think the car will enjoy it.”

Subscribe for free to receive more stories like this direct to your mailbox