Ennis, Co. Clare was the scene where a major piece of Irish Motorsport history was written on the 16th September as Charlie Donnelly sealed the Irish National Rally Championship by finishing second on the Clare Stages Rally. It was a win that came just two weeks after his brother Eugene sealed the Irish Tarmac Championship on the Ulster International Rally in the same Toyota Corolla WRC.
Posted: September 21, 2006 3:57 PM
It creates a unique piece of Irish motor sporting history as the brothers, from Maghera, Co. Derry, conquered the two biggest rally championships in the land, all undertaken by the Draperstown based McGeehan Motorsport team. The Clare Stages was tough event for Charlie Donnelly and co driver Paddy Toner. An early overshoot dropped the Esker Corolla down the timesheets, and Charlie admitted to being off his usual form.
“I was definitely out of form over the first few stages, and it wasn’t until stage four that I really got going.” By this stage, Charlie’s big Irish National series rival, Patrick Elliot from Cavan, had gained a twenty three second lead in his S9 Subaru Impreza. It was a gap that Charlie felt wasn’t insurmountable.
“I think that we could have won the rally. Patrick had a slight slip on stage six, and I made an error when we slid into a ditch and stalled the car. We really should have capitalised on his mistake, and on stage eight we punctured and drove three miles on it. I must admit we were having a brilliant stage up to that and to only drop nine was proof of that.” But co driver Paddy Toner was frantically working out the mathematics along with championship co-ordinator Martin Walsh, and they realised that a second place finish in Clare would assure them of the title before the final round in Skibbereen in October.
“To be honest when we crossed the finish line I was relieved to wrap up the championship. It’s a great feeling especially for the team who have worked so hard. For me I have really enjoyed my rallying this year, and it’s the buzz I get out of driving that really keeps me going. There have been a few particular stages this year which stand out, when me and Paddy have been just 110 per cent. To be honest, I was only intending, like at the start of 2005 to do a few rallies, but it was Eugene who persuaded me to do the championship.”
Eugene, now a three time Irish Tarmac Rally Champion is delighted with the outcome.
“To be honest it hasn’t really sunk in yet. Two years ago I thought about this, and it’s been a big drive for me to see Charlie win the National Championship. He has done so much in rallying and not been recognised and it’s just brilliant. To be honest I am just as delighted for him as I am for winning the Tarmac series myself, as Charlie has been such a big help all of my life rallying, and it was through him that I first had contact with rallying.” It’s a superb achievement, and one that has been achieved thanks to a hard working team. “Really the boys have been fantastic. Re-preparing the one car with often only a week or two weeks maximum in between, it’s been a superb effort” quipped Charlie. For now though Maghera can be proud to have two Irish tarmac rally champions in its midst.
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