Boyles Claim 2010 HASS Border Championship Title On Donegal Harvest
Posted: October 11, 2010 8:11 PM
Declan and Brian Boyle are the 2010 HASS Border Rally Champions. The cousins from Glenties in Co. Donegal clnched the title by virtue of a fine run on home soil on the Donegal Harvest Rally where they brought their Ford Escort home second in class 14 and fifth overall.
Going into the concluding event of the six round HASS Border Rally series, as many as thirteen crews were in with a chance of claiming the overall title, testament to the incredibly close competition on Ireland’s premier cubman’s rally championship. The advantage though was with the Boyles, who knew that a top result would ensure they would have the advantage over their championship rivals. Despite suffering problems during the day with the paddle shift gear change, they brought their Escort back safely to the rally finish in Ballybofey to take second in class behind Gary McPhillips and James McNulty, and with it the necessary championship points to be crowned HASS Border Rally Champions for 2010.
The championship winners and the other award winners will be presented their trophies at a gala prize-giving ceremony at the Abbey Hotel in Donegal Town on Saturday 30th October.
McPhillips and McNulty Win HASS Drive Of the Day
Posted: October 11, 2010 8:11 PM
With the fastest time on special stage 3 in class 14 of the Donegal Harvest Rally selected to determine the winners of the final HASS Border Championship Drive of the Day Award for 2010, a battle royale was promised between the many highly competitive Escort crews in this category. In the event, it was Monaghan’s Gary McPhillips and James McNulty who were to claim the prestigious trophy, setting a time three seconds faster than nearest challengers Declan and Brian Boyle, with Wesley Patterson and Martin McGarrity a further second adrift. The Monaghan pair went on to finish a superb third overall on the rally, beaten only by a brace of World Rally Cars.
Advantage Boyle – Just - As HASS Border Championship Heads For Thrilling Decider
Posted: October 8, 2010 3:03 PM
Once again the HASS Border Rally Championship has lived up to its reputation for producing nail-biting finishes as the six round series heads for the 2010 title decider on the Donegal Harvest Rally.
Indeed it would take a foolhardy gambler to predict this year’s champions, such has been the ups and downs of a dramatic season’s rallying. Consider this - thirteen drivers and twelve co-drivers are still in contention to - at a minimum - force the championship into a tie-break decider. What other series could promise such an intriguing conclusion?
That such a dramatic finale is on the cards is thanks to the Border Championship’s class based structure, whereby all competitors, regardless of what class they compete in, have the same chance of winning the title as those fighting for overall victories. Combine this with the best four scores from the six rounds counting toward the championship, and it is easy to see why organisers will be pulling their hair out at the rally finish in Ballybofey as they calculate all the various permutations to find an overall winner.
In fact the advantage, such as it is, lies with a crew who currently do not feature highly on the overall leaderboard. At the start of the year not many would have predicted a class 14 car to be in contention for overall honours such is the level of competition in this category. However Donegal cousins Declan and Brian Boyle are the only competitors with their championship hopes in their own hands as they head for their home event. A class win on the last round in Sligo was their second of the season, and gives the Escort crew a crucial advantage heading into their home event – if they can achieve another category victory, they will have scored 39 HASS Border Championship points, one more than anyone else can achieve.
But with a plethora of very rapid rivals expected out on the Harvest, the Boyles will have their work cut out to achieve another class win. And it’s if they don’t take that perfect ten score that the calculators – and tie-break rules - will be called into play. In theory four other crews can reach 38 points if results go their way. These include the class 2 Civic of Aidan Cannon from Sligo and two rivals in class 12 – Derry’s Eamonn McGuigan / Michael Moran and Gerry Smyth / Gregory McQuillan from Monaghan.
The fourth crew hoping for a slip-up from the Boyles are the current series leaders John Kelly and Adrian Flynn in a class 10 Toyota Corolla. The Monaghan men have been very consistent all season with a class win in Sligo keeping their championship hopes firmly alive. However they already have four finishes to their names and now must start dropping scores, hence can only add one more point to their current total of 37 - even if they were to win the category in Donegal.
In second place at present on 36 points is the class 9 Escort of Pa Bellew and Willie Fitzpatrick, but the Meath men will also have to drop a score if they finish well in Donegal, and can record a maximum of 37 points.
Further proof of how close the championship battle is, competitors in another nine cars can score a maximum 37 points, and all will be keeping a close eye on how results pan out on the day in Donegal. They include championship leaders going into Sligo, David Leonard and Adrian Foley, the Sligo / Cavan pairing having been presented with HASS rally jackets by Ken Henderson of Henderson Auto Sport & Spares in Sligo in recognition of that achievement. Their class 6 rivals David Smith / Austin Hamill are also in contention to reach 37 championship points, as are fellow Monaghan competitors Niall Maguire / Enda Sherry in class 8.
In class 9 Pa Bellew and Willie Fitzpatrick will face a tough challenge from Ambrose Gaughan and Derek Molloy – a third class win of the year would put the Mayo competitors in the hunt for overall honours. Also in with a chance of reaching 37 points are Cavan’s Mark Wedlock / Adam Kinkade in class 11, and Monaghan’s Michael Conlon / Aidan Boyle who had a storming drive in Sligo to finish 7th overall in their class 13 Escort. Enda McLoughlin from Carlow in a class 10 Escort is another with the potential to reach 37 points as is Kevin Barrett’s co-driver Sean Mullally in class 8.
That’s just those in contention for overall Border Championship victory. Throughout the field, battles will be just as intense as crews fight it out for class honours. Apart from those already mentioned, class contenders include Paul McGee and Fergal Loughney in class 2 who go head to head with Aidan Cannon. Class 3 is between Pakie and Calum Duffy and Alan McMahon / Benny Grainger while class 4 looks to be a battle between Trevor and Kenny Bustard and Shane Maguire / Paul Kelly. Eamonn McCafferty already has the class 5 driver’s section in the bag but the co-driver category is wide open between Jackie Donaldson, Niall Timoney and Crystal Culkeen.
Anthony Masterson and Andrew Browne are secure in class 7 while in class 13, Samuel Kelso / Gareth Doherty will retain hopes of overhauling Michael Conlon / Aidan Boyle.
With the hugely popular HASS Drive of the Day award to look forward to as well, the Donegal Harvest promises indeed to be a mouth-watering conclusion to Ireland’s premier clubman rally championship.
Updates on Entry List
Posted: October 7, 2010 10:57 AM
All reservers are in
Late Entries
160 Andrew Ellis/Sean Cassidy (Vauxhall Nova) []
161 Paul Harris/Gavin Harris (Subaru N12B) [4]
162 Ferlin Taylor/Sean Maloney (Toyota Corolla) [11]
163 John O'Donnell/Mac Walsh (Ford Escort) [14]
J9 Jonathan Stewart/TBA (Honda Civic) [16]
Out
10 Damien Gallagher/Paul Garry (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
17 Shane Maguire/Paul Kelly (Subaru Impreza) [4]
22 Gavin Harris/Paul Harris (Subaru 12B) [4]
29 James Cassidy/John Norris (Ford Escort) [12]
40 Tom Muldoon/Thomas Nugent (Mitsubishi Evo 9 ) [4]
61 Thomas Keys/Kelvin Keys (fod Escort) [13]
63 Gary Cooney/ (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [4]
70 Vincent Collins/Jamie Collins (Ford Escort) [12]
82 Declan McBrearty/Niall McCalliog (Toyota Corolla) [11]
97 Paul Callaghan/Patrick McBride (Peugeot 205) [13]
99 John Kelly/Adrian Flynn (Toyota Corolla) [10]
J7 Ferlin Taylor/Sean Maloney (Toyota Corolla) [16]
2010 Jackson’s Hotel Harvest “Rally in the Valley”
Posted: September 29, 2010 1:54 PM
"Welcome to the 2010 Jackson’s Hotel Harvest “Rally in the Valley”.
As Clerk of the Course I would like to welcome competitors, spectators and all officials to this Donegal Motor Club event, here in the “Twin Towns” and in particular to the Ballybofey base, this year’s headquarters in Jacksons’s Hotel.
We have planned an event in the ‘Valley’, using a mixture of old and new stages, that I hope you will find challenging and enjoyable. With an emphasis on value for money, I hope this event will give the competitor a competitive day’s motorsport, while as a spectator, you can enjoy some of the best tarmac stages anywhere in the country. I would appeal to any spectator to make the officials task easier by following their instructions and watch from a safe position, and if possible join with Donegal Motor Club in assisting with one of the many tasks that have to be carried out to ensure that the event runs smoothly and safely and promote a positive and great sporting day in the county of Donegal.
As the 6th and final round of the Hass Border Championship, this will be an exciting climax to the 2010 season and there will be the usual final placings to the settled. It is also a round of Donegal Motor Club’s own Bassetts Plumbing & Heating Club Championship and positions will also rely the outcome of a the 9 special stages that myself and my team of hardworking officials have organised over the past number of months.
I wish to acknowledge all the businesses in the local area and further away who have so generously sponsored all of the stages and many other items involved on the event. I would ask that competitors, spectators and officials support these businesses in return. Without many of the services on the day, the rally could not run, in particular the co-operation of An Garda Síochána, NW Health Board, Civil Defence.
Again all at Donegal Motor Club acknowledge the residents along the entire route, for their support and good wishes towards the event after a return to their area after a few absent years.
We hope that you everyone has a safe and enjoyable event, stay safe on the roads, competitors please show good example, and I look forward to seeing everyone back at Jackson’s Hotel at the conclusion of another great sporting day organised and promoted by Donegal Motor Club."
Gerald Hunter COC
Entry List Announced
Posted: September 29, 2010 1:53 PM
Today, Ireland’s largest motor club, the Donegal Motor Club announces its entry list to the 2010 Jackson’s Hotel Harvest “Rally in the Valley”.
Heading this list of over 140 competitors, are some of the best known names on Irish rallying. Driver’s of the calibre of Niall Maguire, Seamus Leonard, Gary Jennings, Camilius Bradley, Wesley Patterson, head the bulging entry list on the 9th October 2010.
Once again, Clerk of the Course, Gerald Hunter leading the experienced Donegal organisers, thanked many of the guests present at Jackson’s Hotel in Ballybofey.
Gerald give details of the final preparations for one of the biggest week-ends on the Irish Motorsport Calendar, and highlighted all the local businesses who have supported the DMC’s venture since the event was announced early in 2010. In particular, thanks went to main sponsor, Jackson’s Hotel, along with the groups of other support associate sponsors who will assist provided services for the event on the day.
Gerald said, “Jacksons’s Hotel have provided and excellent headquarters for this event, in the planning and run-up to the event, while these local individuals and businesses have assisted with the running of the special stages and service area. I must mention stage 1 & 3 and Service sponsor, Jim Mc Gylnn, Castlefinn, the stage 2 & 4 sponsor, Mc Bride Brother's Joinery, Convoy, stage 5 & 7 sponsor, Stephen Bradley, Kiltown, Killygordon, stage 6 & 8 sponsor, Pat Kirk Ltd, Strabane, stage 9 sponsor, Kevin Harrold - Donegal Recovery Services, Glenfinn Road, Ballybofey.”
Gerald added that, “the Scrutiny and Service areas were thanks to Mr and Mrs. Gabriel Lafferty, Carrickbrack, Convoy, and also for Service, Damien Mc Elhinney, Ballybofey Cycles/ Donegal Auto's, Glenfinn Road , Ballybofey.” He reminded Marshals and other Official assisting, that there will be special Appreciation Awards, sponsored by Gerome Keeney, Cyberworld, Bunagee Business Park, Letterkenny, as a special draw will be made that the Finish Ramp in Ballybofey immediately after the event.”
The Rally, is the 6th and final round of the Hass Border Championship, providing an exciting climax to the 2010 season. It is also a round of Donegal Motor Club’s own Bassetts Plumbing & Heating Club Championship.
The event will take place over a total of 9 stages utilising 5 separate stages.
Seeded Entry & Reserve Lists
Posted: September 29, 2010 12:15 PM
No Driver/Co-Driver (Car) [Class]
1 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
2 Seamus Leonard/John McCafferty (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
3 Garry Jennings/Neil Doherty (TBA) [8]
4 Camillus Bradley/Crawford Henderson (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
5 Wesley Patterson/Martin McGarrity (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
6 Gary McPhilips/James McNulty (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
7 Manus Kelly/Donall Barrett (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
8 Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
9 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
10 Damien Gallagher/Paul Garry (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
11 Danny MacBride/Ambrose Given (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [4]
12 John Cairns/James Cairns (Subaru Impreza 555) [8]
14 Pat Kirk/Peter Ward (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4]
15 Brian Brogan/Damien McGetigan (Ford Escort) [14]
16 Adrian Hetherington/Gary Nolan (Ford Escort) [14]
17 Shane Maguire/Paul Kelly (Subaru Impreza) [4]
18 Paul Barett/John McElhinney (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
19 Stuart Darcy/Leon Jordan (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [4]
20 Samuel Kelso/Gareth Doherty (Ford Escort) [13]
21 Trevor Bustard/Kenny Bustard (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [4]
22 Gavin Harris/Paul Harris (Subaru 12B) [4]
23 Conor Harvey/Gerard Callaghan (Honda Civic R3) [7]
24 Victor Hunter/Michael Doherty (Ford Escort) [13]
25 Geoffrey Dolan/Conor Murphy (Talbot Sunbeam) [13]
26 Michael Conlon/Aidan Boyle (Ford Escort) [13]
27 Peter Wilson/Donal Lennon (Honda Civic) [11]
28 JP Logue/Patrick Durning (Honda Civic) [13]
29 James Cassidy/John Norris (Ford Escort) [12]
30 Alastair Cochrane/ (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
31 Daniel Conaghan/Barry Ferris (Ford Escort) [13]
32 Anthony Cairns/Martin Cairns (Subaru Impreza ) [8]
33 John Ward/Kieran McElhinney (Toyota Corolla) [11]
34 Mark Wedlock/Adam Kinkade (Ford Escort) [11]
35 Stanley Ballantine/ (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4]
36 Gerry Smyth/Gregory McQuillan (Ford Escort) [12]
37 Joesph McGonigle/Niall Burns (Citreon C2R2) [6]
38 Ian Gunning/Fredy Holmes (Ford Escort) [13]
39 Alan Sheridan/Gerard Conlon (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
40 Tom Muldoon/Thomas Nugent (Mitsubishi Evo 9 ) [4]
41 Darren McKenna/Nicola McKenna (Toyota Corolla) [11]
42 James Browne/Terence McGee (Ford Escort) [13]
43 Patrick Boyle/Donal McCole (Toyota Corolla) [11]
44 Doanl Kelly/Christopher McKenna (Honda Civic) [11]
45 Shaun Murphy/ (Ford Escort) [13]
46 Kieran Roarty/James Doherty (Mitsubishi Evo 7) [4]
47 Andrew McLoone/Stephen Gallinagh (Ford Escort) [11]
48 Declan Leonard/Ciaran Geaney (Ford Fiesta ST) [3]
49 Andrew Mullan/Elaine Doherty (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [4]
50 Martin Howley/Fabian McShane (Mitsubishi Evo 6) [4]
51 Paul Gallagher/James Gallagher (Ford Escort Mk1) [11]
52 Eamonn McGuigan/Michael Moran (Ford Escort) [12]
53 Enda McLoughlin/Michael Reilly (Ford Escort) [10]
54 Mark Barnett/ (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
55 Greg McGroary/Kerry McCarter (Ford Escort) [13]
56 Ambrose Gaughan/Derek Molloy () []
57 Eamonn McCrystal/ (Ford Escort) [13]
58 Gerard Browne/Keith Bovaird (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
59 William Vance/Tom Vance (Mitsubishi Lancer) [4]
61 Thomas Keys/Kelvin Keys (fod Escort) [13]
62 Damien McCauley/Shaun McMacken (Toyota Corolla) [11]
63 Gary Cooney/ (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [4]
64 David Leonard/Adrian Foley (Citreon Saxo) [6]
65 Davy Graham/Mark Vaughan (Peugeot 206 ) [6]
66 Daniel Breslin/Jonathan Jordan (Toyota Corolla) [11]
67 Gavin McMenamin/Paul Houston (Mitsubishi Evo 7) [4]
68 Roger Kennedy/Wendy Blackledge (Peugeot 306) [7]
69 Stephen Furey/Trevor Graham (Toyota Corolla) [11]
70 Vincent Collins/Jamie Collins (Ford Escort) [12]
71 Alan Sweeney/Timmy Lunn (Ford Escort) [11]
72 Gary McElhinney/Darragh Kelly (Ford Escort) [13]
73 PJ Gallen/ (Ford Escort) [13]
74 Damien McVey/Barry McBride (Vauxhall Nova) [9]
75 Gavin Kelly/Eamonn Gillespie (Ford Escort) [14]
76 Stephen Bradley/Johnny Gallagher (Honda Civic) [2]
77 Dara Leonard/ (Ford Fiesta ST) []
78 Barry McKenna/Jonathan McKenna (Ford Escort) [13]
79 Hubert Valkenborghs/David Valkenborghs (Talbot Sunbeam) [10]
80 Padraig McGee/Paul Friel (Toyota Corolla) [11]
81 Barry Treanor/Colm Connolly (Peugeot 205 Gti) [10]
82 Declan McBrearty/Niall McCalliog (Toyota Corolla) [11]
83 Seamus Doherty/Peter Byrne (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
84 Martin O'Reilly/Declan McKenna (Honda Civic) [2]
85 Alistair Glenn/Martin Shakey (Peugeot 206) [6]
86 Mark O'Leary/David O'Leary (Ford Escort) [10]
87 Michael Carbin/Barry Garvey (Peugeot 205) [10]
88 Kevin Bradley/Oliver Harvey (Mitsubishi Evo 8) [4]
89 Hugh Gibbons/Gavin O'Donnell (Ford Escort MK I) [10]
90 Damien O'Reilly/Mark Hamill (Ford Escort) [9]
91 Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy (Honda Civic) [3]
92 Michael McCollum/Michael Pearson () []
93 Paul McDermott/ (Honda Civic) [3]
94 Gary Gallagher/Lee Cullen (Toyota Corolla) [11]
95 Eamonn McCafferty/Donal Bradley (Ford Puma) [5]
96 Stephen Holden/ (Peugeot 106) [6]
97 Paul Callaghan/Patrick McBride (Peugeot 205) [13]
98 Andrew Stewart/Tony Gallagher (Mitsubishi Evo 4) [15]
99 John Kelly/Adrian Flynn (Toyota Corolla) [10]
100 Andrew Hegarty/Loretta Kelly (Ford Puma) [5]
101 Liam McMullan/John Coll (Honda Civic) [2]
102 Stirling Taylor/Adrian Crawford (Honda Civic) [3]
103 Ciaran Brogan/Johnny Baird (Mitsubishi Evo ) [15]
104 Raymond Scott/Patrick Gallagher (Opel Manta) [13]
105 Dermot McGroary/ (Talbot Sunbeam) [10]
106 John Dolan/Joe Dolan (Ford Escort) [13]
107 Patrick Shiels/ (Toyota Starlet) [11]
108 John Crumlish/Gerard Mullan (Subaru Impreza) [8]
109 David Smith/Austin Hammel (Peugeot 106) [6]
110 Andrew Knox/ (Ford Escort) [11]
111 Martin Devine/Joe McNulty (Honda Civic) [2]
112 Patrick Bonner/Anthony Bonner (Ford Escort MkII) [12]
113 Hugh Martin Toye/Breeda Toye (Honda Civic) [13]
114 Stuart Rankin/William Coyle (Honda Civic) [3]
115 Michael McClafferty/Martin O'Donnell (Honda Civic) [2]
116 Pauric McGee/Fergal Loughney (Honda Civic) [2]
117 Paddy Boyle/Brian O'Donnell (Ford Escort) [11]
118 Alan McMahon/Benny Grainger (Honda Civic) [3]
119 Enda McGinley/Frankie McGinley (Ford Escort) [10]
120 Martin McLaughlin/James Logue (Ford Escort MkII) [11]
121 Eamonn Doherty/Patrick McCrudden (Ford Escort MkII) [11]
122 Adrian Sweeney/Kieran Sweeney (Opel Corsa) [9]
123 Shane Carr/Stephen Peoples (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
124 Pauric McGinley/Gareth Kelly (Peugeot 106) [6]
125 Andrew Harvey/Darren Harvey (Talbot Sunbeam Ti) [10]
126 Anthony Gallagher/ (Toyota Corolla) [11]
127 Laurence Sherry/Jonathan Treanor (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
128 Charlie McGinty/Niall McDaid (Peugeot 205) [10]
129 Gerard Greene/ (Ford Escort G3) [10]
130 Andrew Barron/ (Vauxhall Nova) [9]
131 Chris Melly/Daniel Melly (Vauxhall Chevette) [13]
132 Nigel Kennedy/Patrick Brides (Honda Civic) [2]
133 Dermot McCafferty/Caolan Gaffney (Peugeot 106) [6]
134 David Quinn/Gary Quinn (Vauxhall Nova) [9]
135 Michael Bradley/Andrew Browne (Talbot Sunbeam) [11]
136 Mark Glackin/Michael Glackin (Toyota Corolla) [11]
138 Derek McGonagle/ (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
139 Rodney Stewart/Stephen Nairn (Toyota Corolla) [11]
140 Liam Branley/Joesph Devanney (Peguoet 206) [6]
141 Drew McMullan/Brian Boyd (Peugeot 206 XS) [6]
142 Alvin Alcorn/Barry Melly (Toyota Corolla) [11]
143 David Gallagher/Eamonn Boyle (Honda Civic) [11]
144 Joe Breslin/Stephen Lyons (Mini Cooper S) [9]
145 Shane Timoney/Niall Timoney (Nissan Micra) [5]
146 Mark Ewing/Dean Gillespie (Honda Civic) [3]
147 Liam McIntyre/Barry Donnelly (Ford Escort Mk2) [11]
148 Adrian Cannon/Johnny Rooney (Honda Civic) [2]
149 Kevin Kelly/Paul Hegarty (Ford Escort) [13]
150 Ger Lyons/Stephen O'Brien (Honda Civic) [11]
151 Dermot Cannon/John McLoone (Toyota Corolla) [13]
152 Ian McClure/Jason Johnston (Toyota Corolla) [11]
153 Ivor Scott/Brendan Peoples (Ford Escort) [12]
154 James Greenan/Danny McCloskey (Vauxhall Corsa) [9]
RESERVES
155 Peter Greene/Conor Comack (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
156 George Baskin/Aidan Thomas (VW Golf Diesel) []
157 Ciaran King/Mickey Brennan (Honda Civic) [11]
158 Colin Flanagan/ (Mitsubishi Evo 7) [8]
159 Cyril Doherty/ (Subaru Impreza N12) [4]
JUNIORS
J1 Damien Whoriskey/Gary McKenna (Ford Escort) [16]
J2 Michael Boyle/James McLonne (Toyota Corolla) [16]
J3 John Sweeney/Andrew McTaggart (Honda Civic) [16]
J4 Kevin Walsh/Derek Gallagher (Toyota Corolla) [16]
J5 Christopher McLoughlin/Paul McDermott (Honda Civic) [16]
J6 Kevin McLaughlin/Paul Creamer (Suzuki Swift) [16]
J7 Ferlin Taylor/Sean Maloney (Toyota Corolla) [16]
Rally Launch - Tuesday 28th September
Posted: September 28, 2010 11:56 AM
Rally Launch will take place on Tuesday 28th September at the event HQ, Jacksons Hotel in Ballybofey, Co. Donegal, starting at 8pm
The 2010 Jackson’s Hotel Harvest “Rally in the Valley”, returns to the ‘Twin Towns’ again, after a few years absence. The event, the 6th and final round of the Hass Border Championship, and will prove to be an exciting climax to the 2010 season and is also a round of Donegal Motor Club’s own Bassetts Plumbing & Heating Club Championship.
Clerk of the Course of the event, Gerald Hunter, thanked Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey in their assistance in bringing the event to the area once again.
At a briefing last week, Gerald give more details of the event to officials, who are at an advanced stage of planning the October event.
He said, “…a lot of hard work has gone into making this event happen, by many people and I hope it will prove the usual success that we, the Donegal Motor Club, can add to our list of high profile events”.
Gerald continued, “We are running 9 stages on Saturday 9th October, with a total of 5 separate stages. Stage mileage for a one day event is high, approx 125km, with an emphasis on value for money for the competitor.”
Late last week there was a training session in Jackson’s Hotel, for marshals and officials who will be working on the event, in particular the Safety Marshals. A large crowd gathered in the Ballybofey rally base, on Friday night, for an important briefing session. Gerald added that, “For anyone who may have missed the session, and are willing to marshal on the week of 9th October, please contact the Marshal contact number on 0871675007 / +353 871675007, to give your contact details and receive information about the next training session.”
Entries for the event are quickly filling up, and competitors are reminded to try to beat the deadline set for final applications to this important National Championship event, which is due to close this week. Details for the closing date are on the DMC or rally websites
Mr. Hunter paid tribute to all the local businesses in the area who have so generously sponsored all of the stages and many other items involved with the rally and requested that Club members, competitors, spectators and officials give support these businesses in return.
Some details of special prizes for marshals and other officials who assist on the week-end, were given, in the form of a draw at the end of the rally on October 9th.
Marshals Required / Marshals Training Night - (Fri) 17 Sep 10
Posted: September 5, 2010 9:39 PM
Entries Open / Event Details
Posted: August 27, 2010 9:28 AM
Ireland’s largest Motor Club gears up again for its annual Harvest Rally, this year sponsored by Jacksons Hotel in Ballybofey, Co. Donegal.
The 2010 event is to be held on Saturday 9th October.
Clerk of the Course for the event, Gerald Hunter said that he was offering over 130km of stage mileage, stating that the Donegal Motor Club offered ‘good value’ for the stage mileage covered during this one day event.
Gerald continued, “We want to offer a top class tarmac event to give the competitor some the best stages available in the North West. This will also incorporate a Junior class run over the second half of the event. As this is sixth and final round of the Hass Border Championship, we expect a strong field as there are many class honours to be fought over for the championship. It has been hotly contested over the season, and has thrown up a few surprises, and we are sure it will be the same on our event. This rally is also a round of our own championship, The Bassetts Plumbing & Heating Club Championship, so overall we expect a lot if interest across the board – get you entry in now and beat the rush!”
“We would like to thank the Management from Jacksons Hotel for their kind title sponsorship of the event, and look forward to returning to Ballybofey, as it has been a few years since the Donegal Motor Club has based an event there.!
Entries are now open, and are available from the Donegal Motor Club website
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