Chris Armstrong & Chris Melly (Ford Escort MkII) SS3
Gary Kiernan & Ryan Moore (Ford Escort MkII) SS7
Barry McGill & Derek Heena - (Ford Escort MkII) SS3
Paul Rowley & Brian Doherty (Skoda Fabia S2000) SS4
Justin Smyth & James McEneaney (Ford Escort MkII) SS3
Roy Baldrick & Dermot Friel (Ford Escort MkII) SS3
George Baskin & Dylan Baskin (VW Golf) SS5
Dessie Keenan & James McCarville (Ford Escort Mk II 1.6 16V) - SS4
Boyles Wins "Back to Back to Back!
Posted: October 13, 2016 10:19 AM
For the third year, and after a hard 8 special stages close to the fishing capital of Ireland's port of Killybegs and district, the winners, Declan Boyle and Brian Boyle came to the finisher's ramp at the Bayview Hotel, Killybegs. This was the third year for the Lettermacaward, Co.Donegal crew, to win the event, in their Fiesta WRC with a winning margin of 1 minute and 39.4 seconds, over second placed driver Manus Kelly and his co-driver, Gareth Doherty, in his Subaru Impreza. This event was the final round of the 2016 Sligo Pallets Border Championship with many valuable points to decide classes for the season.
Early in the day, Ex-Harvest winner Garry Jennings and Rory Kennedy also in a Subaru WRC pushed hard and were the Boyle's closest rivals, but the car expired after stage 6. The Boyles kept it steady, while other drivers, such as ex-Harvest winner Niall Maguire and co-driver Enda Sherry, started cautiously but kept a steady pace to finish third overall.
Top 2 wheel drive crew and 4th overall was Gary Kiernan and Ryan Moore in an Escort followed close behind by the Letterkenny's Damien Gallagher and Mac Walsh in another Escort.
Muff driver, Joe McGonigle and Ciaran Geaney, in the new Skoda R5, from Muff were making a steady, but hard-charging 6th place.
Donegal Town Area
Robert Kee Filling Station Laghy
McIntyre's Filling Station
Texaco Filling Station
Killybegs Area
Floyds Dunkineely
Barry's Bruckless
Tamway Filling Station (Gabriel)
Supervalue
Hegarty Centra
Sweetens
Curren's Costcutters
Kilcar
Hegarty Centra
Byrnes Shop
Carrick
Byrnes Shop
Glen
Byrnes Shop
Ardara
Darnell Filling Station
Maloney Filling Station
Drumkeen
Kernans Top Filling Station
Letterkenny
Brogans Dry Arch
Lettermacaward
Gallagher XL
Clerkins
PRESS RELEASE 7 - Epic entry sets sail for Big Saturday in Killybegs on Saturday 8th October.
Posted: October 4, 2016 10:29 AM
The Organisers of the Bayview Hotel Martin Howley Memorial Harvest Stages Rally have released details of the entry list and itinerary for the Rally, now officially regarded as the biggest one day rally held in the country this year.
Clerk of the Course Karl Reid commented:
“The quality of our entry is fantastic. I am not sure if we have ever had three Donegal International Rally winners as the top three seeds on the Harvest Rally in WRC cars. Number one seed Declan Boyle will be followed off the line by Garry Jennings and 2016 winner Manus Kelly for what looks like a blistering days’ motorsport. “
“Right behind them comes multiple National Championship winner Niall Maguire in another WRC car. It’s an epic entry, right through the field and in every class. The Modified class is a rally in itself, with Club Chairman Brian Brogan, fresh from a brilliant win in the National part of the Cork 20 at the weekend, taking his place among the hottest of categories.”
“Formula 1 commentator Tony Jardine is flying in from London to take part in the rally. He was due to take part in the Donegal International Rally last June but changed to the Harvest when he heard that it was to be named in Martin’s honour. They were great friends and he drove Martin’s rally car on the 2015 International Rally. He will be carrying a special tribute to him on his car.”
“ At the last count we had 164 entries in the main field plus 8 Junior entries. The numbers will fluctuate a little before the start but it is easily the biggest entry for a National Rally in the country this year. The organising team is flat out and we are looking at a record day in Killybegs.”
“Our list of Rally programme retailers is now available online and Rally programmes with maps, entry lists and other information are currently on sale. We have released a rally guide and a time and distance schedule online to help competitors with essential information.”
“We want to acknowledge the help from everyone in Killybegs and all the areas affected by the rally stages. We are also working closely with An Garda Siochana and would ask everyone attending to help us make sure that we enjoy a safe and enjoyable event in Killybegs this weekend.”
“We are once again asking for anyone who can act as a marshal to contact the Chief Marshal for the Harvest Rally on +353-87-620-5328 and on +44-785-108-4821 as strong spectator numbers are expected.”
PRESS RELEASE 6 - KILCAR AND GLENCOLMCILLE VILLAGES FORM SPECTACULAR BACKDROP FOR WHAT PROMISES TO BE THE RALLY OF THE YEAR.
Posted: September 28, 2016 10:01 AM
The Organisers of the Bayview Hotel Martin Howley Memorial Harvest Stages Rally have released details of the route and major attractions for the Harvest Rally on Saturday 8th October next. Based in Killybegs the centrepiece of the rally will be two runs each through the villages of Kilcar and Glencolmcille in west Donegal.
Clerk of the Course Karl Reid commented at the official press launch of the Rally at the Bayview Hotel in Killybegs on Monday evening:
“As we are bringing the rally here in tribute to Martin Howley, it made sense to try something a little bit special. When the possibility of using the villages first came up we worked closely with the Motorsport Ireland safety team and the residents in both villages to see could we make it work. Both are on the very edge of the Wild Atlantic Way and the scenery around them is stunning, so it’s a great way to showcase the area and bring in new visitors. They won’t be disappointed.”
“I have to take my hat off to all involved. It’s going to be a fantastic spectacle and a great days’ sport. There will be restrictions in place in both villages for spectator safety and everyone is strongly advised to arrive early and listen to the marshals. We have a special team allocated for these areas and I want to thank them and all the marshals who have come forward to help so far. We are still calling for more to get in contact on our e-mail and phone numbers. “
STAGES TO BE NAMED IN HONOUR OF ACCLAIMED CLUB MEMBERS
Karl Reid, Clerk of the Course for the Harvest Stages rally has announced the introduction of a new stage naming system for this years’ event:
“We have lost some of our very best members over the past year and we thought it would be appropriate to mark their passing by naming our rally stages after them. They all worked their hearts out for the Club and for the sport and we miss them dearly. “
“I especially want to mark the loss in the last week of Ann Caddye wife of the late Danny Caddye, one of our founder members. This sad news came too late for inclusion in our Rally programme. Ann worked in every rally office almost since the Club’s foundation and her loss, and that of her family, is very keenly felt by us all. She was a truly wonderful lady.”
“There will be articles about each of them in the Rally programme so I am pleased to announce the stages will be named after Joe Breslin, David Wasson, Martin Howley and Gerald Hunter. Gerald was a huge figure with training and recruiting our marshals and was a Clerk of the Course of this Rally. He passed away after a short illness since the International Rally.”
STAGE 1/3 BRESLINS KILCAR VILLAGE
STAGE 2/4 WASSON’S GLENCOLMCILLE
STAGE 5/7 HOWLEY’S CROAGH LAKE
STAGE 6/8 HUNTER’S LOUGH ADEERY.
SERVICE TO BE LOCATED ON THE WATERFRONT AT ISPS PIER IN KILLYBEGS
He continued:
“We are also announcing that our Service Area will be the ISPS Pier in Killybegs, an amazing facility right in the centre of the town of Killybegs, which will provide probably the best service venue we have ever had for a rally in County Donegal. We are greatly indebted to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for allowing us the use of the Pier, and have worked closely on it with the Harbourmaster in Killybegs in recent weeks. Their help has been invaluable.”
BIG SCREENS IN SERVICE AREA FOR LIVE ACTION.
“That’s not all. Spectators will be able to view the rally stages live on a big screen in the Service area, another first for the Harvest. Again, we are asking people to park sensibly, heed the marshals and walk the short distance to the service area along the promenade. Access to the quayside will be closed by high barriers for the day.”
ON THE LIMITS SPORTS PROMOTIONAL VIDEO LAUNCHED ONLINE FROM 20.00
The Organisers also disclosed that a promotional video made by “On The Limit Sports” is being released online as of 20.00 on Monday 26th September 2016. It features action from the 2015 Harvest Rally, which was won by former Irish Tarmac and National Rally Champions Declan and Brian Boyle from Glenties in their Fiesta WRC.
The video has contact details for the Rally Secretary as entries remain open for another two days and also for the Chief Marshal Francie Devine who has renewed the call for more marshals to get in touch.
RALLY PROGRAMME AVAILABLE FROM NEXT WEEKEND
The Organisers have advised that a comprehensive Rally programme, including detailed spectator maps with a stage timing schedule, articles, driver profiles and a the full entry list will be available in local outlets from the weekend starting 30th September. A list of outlets will be published on the event website and notified on social media on the Event Facebook page and on the Facebook page of the Donegal International Rally and on Twitter and other formats.
HUGE ENTRY EXPECTED FOR ‘BIG SATURDAY’ IN KILLYBEGS
The Secretary of the Rally, Yvonne Watters, commented:
“We are quite taken aback with the level of interest. The phone and e-mails haven’t cooled since entries opened. It’s not just from competitors, but also from marshals and spectators. The Rally is the finale of three Rally series, the Triton Showers National, the Sligo Pallets Border Series and Donegal MC’s own Donegal Commercials championship. We are looking at a record entry.”
“The attraction of Killybegs as the host venue is a big part of it, but many of them have also said they want to be in the rally as part of the tribute to Martin Howley. We know the accomodation is filling up very quickly. It looks like being a big Saturday for Killybegs.”
“We already have over 150 entries and they are still coming in, bringing us close to our capacity of 161. Wednesday 28th is our closing date, so anyone who wants to be included in what looks like being the biggest one- day rally of the year would need to get in touch now.”
RALLY GUIDE LAUNCHED ONLINE
A comprehensive Rally guide for competitors and spectators, including details of local services and information will be available online this week.
MOUTH WATERING LINE-UP SET FOR RALLY SHOWDOWN
Bearing in mind that the entries are still open and the formal seeding has to be completed, Clerk of the Course Karl Reid has released a taster of the quality entry on offer this year.
“The Harvest has always attracted a strong entry from within the Club and the Border Series. The addition this year of the National Championship series adds a further dimension. The competition will be fierce and we will have the very best competitors in all categories on the startline on the 8th October. With no less than three former winners of the Donegal International Rally included in WRC cars, we are certainly looking forward to a classic weekend in Killybegs. I would again ask everyone to spectate safely and to heed the instructions of the marshals. ”
FINAL CALL FOR MARSHALS ACCOMMODATION AND COMPETITORS
The Chief Marshal for the Harvest Rally, Mr. Francie Devine stated:
“We have had a very successful training day for our marshals at the Bayview Hotel but we are keen that anyone who may be travelling to the Rally and can give assistance gets in touch as soon as possible. With the popularity of the Rally we expect strong spectator numbers and are appealing for anyone who can act as a marshal to come forward - Contact on 00-353-87-620-5328 and on 00-44-785-108-4821.
Event Secretary Yvonne Watters may be contacted on: harvestrallysecretary@gmail.com
ACCOMMODATION
With heavy demand for accommodation already reported, all visitors are advised to contact the Bayview Hotel in Killybegs, who are co-ordinating with local accommodation providers on: 00-353-74-97-31950 and on: reception@bayviewhotel.ie
Press Launch - (Mon) 26 Sep 16
Posted: September 26, 2016 9:41 AM
PRESS RECEPTION
on
Monday 26th September 2016
at the
Bayview Hotel
Killybegs
at 7:30p.m.
to announce details of the
2016 Bayview Hotel Martin Howley Memorial Harvest Stages Rally
All welcome
PRESS RELEASE 5
Posted: September 20, 2016 6:29 AM
As the clock ticks towards the 2016 Bayview Hotel Martin Howley Memorial Harvest Stages Rally, entries for the event have soared past the 120 entrants mark.
With just 7 days until the closing date for entries, Wednesday 28th September, the organisers have continued to be busy with final preparations for this Killybegs based event.
When Saturday 8th October arrives, there will be the full spectacle of one of Ireland’s top National rallys, boasting a field of competitors comparable to any of the top International events on the island.
As the year progresses, the event will see a finale for the three rally championships, the Triton showers National Rally Championship, the Sligo Pallets Border Championship and the Donegal Commercials DMC Rally Championship. For many registered contenders, valuable points still have to be decided across the classes, at the conclusion of this event.
Marshals Training
There is a call for marshals to attend the event and assist with the safe running of the stages on the day. Chief Marshal may be contacted on +447851084821 or +353876205328. Mr. Devine said, “we are getting calls from prospective marshals, but we need more to ensure the running of the event, both on and off the stages, e.g. service area. For new marshals, there will be a training session on Sunday 25th September, @ 2:30pm, in the Bayview Hotel, Killybegs. Please attend this important session, and learn how marshals are the lifeblood of motorsport events such as this. We welcome one and all!”
Accommodation
A spokesperson from the Bayview Hotel, Killybegs commented, “The Bayview Hotel is co-ordinating with other accommodation in Killybegs and reports brisk trade with the Rally HQ itself now booked out with a wait list. However there are places available in the town, which is gearing up for one of its busiest weekends of the year.”
With such a large crowd of people expected on the week-end, accommodation for competitors and visitors attending the area, is being co-ordinated through the Bayview Hotel, Killybegs. Contact should be made to the Hotel on (+ 353) 74 9731950 or e-mail reception@bayviewhotel.ie.
More details of the event may be viewed on the Facebook page @DonegalHarvestRally, or on the Donegal Motor Club webpage
Press Release 4
Posted: September 7, 2016 10:52 AM
he Organisers of the Donegal Harvest Stages Rally have announced further details of the final round of the Triton showers National Rally Championship, the Sligo Pallets Border Championship and the Donegal Commercials DMC Rally Championship based at the Bayview Hotel in Killybegs on Saturday the 8th October 2016.
The Rally was official launched by Clerk of the Course Karl Reid at Killybegs Pier today, standing in the shadow of the MFV “Atlantic Challenge”, the Super Trawler lately skippered by Martin Howley, and he described the route as 8 stages of classic Donegal tarmac.
He made reference to the last time Killybegs hosted the Rally:
“It has been at least 16 years since the Harvest was based in Killybegs. The route we’ve chosen varies from Wild Atlantic Way coastline to fast and twisty inland stages. Some of it was last used over 30 years ago. It’s fantastic. It will be the ideal test of car and crew on new terrain, ideal for the climax of all the visiting Championships. We can’t wait to get it started.”
“There will be two stages West of Killybegs in the morning that will be repeated and two more to the North and East of Killybegs in the afternoon, also repeated. We are actively monitoring the route as a number of senior officials live along it, and a full rally programme will be available from local outlets before the rally starts. Service will be in Killybegs, which will be the hub of the whole event.”
“The event Secretary has reported over 50 entries received within the first week and I would advise visitors to channel their accommodation requests to the Bayview Hotel in the first instance. We are expecting a big entry and a big crowd for the big weekend on 8th October. We are appealing for anyone who is available to assist as Stewards to contact Chief Marshal, at harvestrallymarshal@gmail.com .
The Rally launch was preceded by photographs at Killybegs Pier with the MFV Atlantic Challenge, followed by a parade of Rally Cars led into Killybegs by St Catherine’s Band, finishing at the Bayview Hotel, the Rally HQ for the event.
Rally Launch - (Tue) 6 Sep
Posted: September 6, 2016 6:24 AM
The Organisers of the Donegal Harvest Stages Rally have announced the official launch of the event on Tuesday 6th September 2016 at the Bayview Hotel, Killybegs from 6.30 p.m. onwards.
The MFV “Atlantic Challenge” one of the largest and most technically advanced trawlers in Europe, lately owned and Skippered by the late Martin Howley, will put into Port at the pier in Killybegs for the occasion and to allow for the taking of commemorative photographs and media footage.
Clerk of the Course Karl Reid will be on hand with special guests to outline details of the event as will representatives of the Triton showers National Rally Championship, the Sligo Pallets Border Championship and the Donegal Commercials DMC Rally Championship.
It promises to be an interesting evening and all are cordially invited. Refreshments will be served.
THE BIG KAHUNA ROLLS INTO KILLYBEGS FOR BIG SATURDAY.
Posted: August 30, 2016 5:55 AM
The 2016 Harvest Stages rally, sponsored by the Bayview Hotel in Killybegs and named by Donegal Motor Club in honour of the late Martin Howley, Skipper of the Atlantic Challenge, is set to run on Saturday 8th October 2016.
The Rally, one of the hottest tickets on the Irish motorsport calendar, is the final round of the Triton Showers National Rally championship and also the final round of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally series, which consists mainly of the rallies ringed around the border with Northern Ireland.
It doesn’t stop there. The Donegal Motor Club’s own internal championship, supported by Donegal Commercials in Letterkenny, will also be fought out in Killybegs. So three major Irish rally championships will fall to be decided in just one day. On a Saturday - but not just any old Saturday.
There are parallels here with the surfing world, where the legendary film “Big Wednesday” tells the story of four friends who grow up with surfing as their passion. Their life stories are related to surfing the big sea swells that come every decade. But, later in life, they are among the very few to dare take on the biggest waves ever seen, which arrive on the fabled, spectacular, Big Wednesday.
After a gap of some 16 years Killybegs, home of the Irish fishing fleet and tales of epic journeys, will join with the Motor Club and swell with more than 170 rally crews in common celebration of one of its finest ever Skippers; a true Captain of industry. Saturday the 8th October 2016 is going to be known as the “Big Saturday” for Irish Rally drivers and rally fans. Spectators can look forward to some of the best viewing all year on stages with good access points.
Clerk of the Course Karl Reid has commented that the route is one of the most compact ever, the travel distance between the 8 stages being less than the total of just under 120Kms of Rally stages on offer. This will allow plenty of service time for crews to work on their cars, or take a look at Ireland’s majestic fishing fleet.
Competitors are advised that entries open on Sunday 28th August and close on 28th September 2016. Priority entries must be submitted by 11th September 2016. Entry forms and full Rally Regulations are available from the donegalmotorclub.com website - Link below:
With this year’s Donegal Harvest Stages Rally just over 10 weeks away, the event this year is set to be a very special one. In memory of the late Martin Howley, the rally will take place in the town of Killybegs, Co. Donegal. Martin and his business played a major role within the community and he had a great passion for Motorsport both as a competitor and organiser.
The event takes place on Saturday, 8th October, and is the final round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship and Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championships. The event is also a counting round of the Donegal Commercials Club Championship (which is a championship held for Donegal Motor Club Members). Preparations are currently underway as over 170 crews are expected to part take in the event. For competitors it is set to be a very challenging rally. There is over 120 stage kilometres in total, with everything from fast, flowing stages to technical and twisty sections with short road sections. For the spectators the stages are full of safe and spectacular viewing points.
The main sponsors and headquarters for the event is the Bay View Hotel in the centre of Killybegs town. The entire event is based around Killybegs and the surrounding area and will be very accessible for competitors and spectators. The team organising committee is hoping to release the regulations and entry forms for the event in the coming weeks and would urge anyone looking for information on the event to go to www.facebook.com/donegalharvestrally or www.donegalmotorclub.com
- link below
The response from the people of Killybegs has been overwhelming, everyone is beginning to look forward to the rally and reports from the accommodation sources say that beds are booking up quickly. The local people are delighted to welcome the event back to the town as in the year 2000 it was a huge success. COC for this year’s event, Karl Reid says "We are really looking forward to hosting the event here in Killybegs. Martin Howley was a key member of the community and would be delighted to see the event return to his hometown. The stages are fantastic - smooth and fast with great spectator locations. With centralised service and mechanical security within the town, everything is based within the town and the atmosphere on the weekend will be fantastic. A show stopping prize-giving and after party is planned in the Bay View on the evening of the event".
As mentioned earlier all the information on the event will be released through local and social media in the coming weeks so stay tuned in for all the updates.
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