GRN'S cars: Donegal International Rally

Car No. 3 Garry Jenning's/Neil Doherty Subaru Impreza S14 WRC

1^st Overall

Garry and Neil ran a faultless rally, leading from the outset in Peter Lloyd's Impreza S14. The new paring’s defining moment came on the Glen stage, which ran through Neil's home town, when they took 15 secs out of their closest challenged Darragh O'Riordan in extremely tricky conditions. Such was the emotion involved in the victory, with Garry becoming the only driver to win Donegal's three main rallies (the International, Donegal Harvest Rally and Donegal Forestry Rally) and with Neil's father John being ill in hospital, that Garry “cried for the last half mile” of the final stage.

Car No. 9 Aaron MacHale/Brian Daniels Ford Focus WRC03

Retired (steering damage after a crash on Fanad, SS12)

Son of multiple Tarmac Champion and Donegal winner Austin MacHale, Aaron made a welcome return to the Donegal stages. Aaron ran a fairly conservative rally, running as high as sixth in a the oldest WRC car in the rally. He was passed by Donagh Kelly on SS6 but he nevertheless held a comfortable seventh. However, he was caught out on the challenging Fanad test, complicated further by rain. He went off and damaged his Focus's steering, retiring on the spot.

Car No. 136 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan Ford Escort MK2

Retired (Engine problems on SS2)

Frank's rally ended prematurely, at the first service with his engine went sick. Reports came from service that Franks car had dropped a valve and that put him out of the rally with no hope of rejoining under SupeRally. A sad end to Frank's challenge, a man hotly tipped to win the National Rally.

Car No. 40 Joe McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney Renault Clio R3

10^th Overall (2^nd 2WD) (International)

Joe had a very quiet rally in his new ex-Tommy Doyle Renault Clio R3. Well, when we say quiet, we don't mean the car, which continued it's trait of backfiring at every chance. He clawed his way up to 10^th place at the end, learning the car more and more as every stage went on. Impressive, considering the fact that he crashed the car at the Donegal International Press Day!

Car No. 118 Brian Quigley/Conal Doherty Honda Civic

22^nd Overall (International)

Brian and co-driver Conal Doherty made good progress throughout the rally. They began 39^th O/A and 13^th in class, but kept their cool throughout the 3 days and 22 stages. They moved up the order as others fell by the wayside. Their final finishing position was 22^nd O/A and 4^th in class.

Car No. 106 George Baskin/Trevor Graham Volkswagen Golf TDi

Retired (SS21)

Rallying diesel cars hasn't really caught on in Ireland, or even in the world the that matter. It's only really caught on in Endurance Racing, and with monumental success. GRN crew George Baskin and Trevor Graham might be the revolution in today's fuel-consious world. Their rather smoky Golf Tdi ran to 44^th overall and a remarkable second in Class 15, behind a more conventional Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. Nevertheless, it was a great run for the unique crew and GRN are more than proud to be associated with a team who could just change the face of Irish rallying. (Maybe not tomorrow, but in the future)

Car No. H6 Gary Owens/Denver Rafferty Ford Escort MK2 RS1800

Retired (Differential failure Day 2, rejoined, Retired, engine problems Day 3)

Gary and Denver had an eventful Donegal International Rally. They came to the North West with only one intention, to win the Historics with their immaculate MK2 RS1800. Multiple problems didn't allow it to go to plan, and when the differential failed it looked to be over. Not for the Tyrone pairing however. They packed the car up, drove back to their base, replaced the offending unit (by 7 o'clock in the morning) and drove back to Donegal for the re-start on Sunday morning. They restarted, but ended up on their side in a bog for 20 mins on the first test. Not to be outdone, they pushed on with all their might. They put the hammer down and gained back time, only for the engine to fail on the final test. A sad end to a frustrating rally for the pair, but they proved what they were capable of had the situation been different.

Car No. H15 William Todd/Aaron Johnston Mini Cooper

9^th Historic

William and Aaron came said that competing with the Escort's and Porsches on Donegal's fast stages would be tough, and it certainly was. They had the beating of them in the corners, the Mini in William's hands danced through the corners like a ballerina. The Mini wasn't short of speed, with co-driver Aaron reporting they were topping out at 125mph on some parts, which he described as “scary when you are only 6 inches off the ground!”. The Mini was superb in the rain too, flying as it's opposition slid everywhere. They did what they came to do, win class B2 and so they did.