Donegal Harvest Stages Rally - (Sat) 10 Oct 09

DUNLOP CONTENDERS HOPING TO REAP THE HARVEST IN DONEGAL
Preview courtesy of Dunlop - Proud sponsors of the National Rally Championship

Posted: October 9, 2009 1:05 PM

The penultimate chapter of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, the Seaview Hotel Donegal Harvest Rally, takes place on Saturday next with reigning Dunlop national champion, Patrick Elliott (Subaru WRC) needing a top three result to keep his championship bid on track.

The Cavan driver trails his Dunlop nemesis, Niall Maguire by 30 points.  Whilst Elliott can count the scores from the final two rounds, Maguire can only improve on his current points tally of 148 by four points (dropped scores), should he win both events.  Even then, Elliott can still clinch the Dunlop crown with a second and third place from the final events, Saturday's, Seaview Hotel Donegal Harvest Rally and the West Cork Hotel Fastnet Rally at the end of the month.

Elliott said, "Reliability is the key, a second and a third place is my target for the two rounds.  It's not as much fun as going for a win, but it's what we have to do.  I won't be match fit for Donegal, it is seven weeks since my last outing.  That was in Galway and it was all too brief.  It was only nine or ten kilometres into the first stage, it was a combination of a set of circumstances.   It wasn't driver error, it was a case of whoever was first on the road and unfortunately, it was us, the roads were unbelievably slippery.  In Donegal, I'll play the percentage game."

Meanwhile, Maguire warmed up perfectly with a victory in the recent Clare Rally.  Should Elliott fail to finish, Maguire can wrap up an unprecedented fourth national crown.  The Monaghan man won the Circuit of Munster and took top points on the Ravens's Rock Rally.  On the remaining six rounds, his remarkable run of consistency has yielded second placed (18) Dunlop points on every occasion. 

It's likely to be a tactical rally in terms of the Dunlop series with Kevin Barrett, a winner in Galway also likely to play a key role.  The Maynooth man has regained third overall in the series and his inaugural win on a round of the Dunlop series should boost his confidence. 

Whilst the top trio will focus on Dunlop points, Donegal driver, PJ. McDermott (Subaru WRC) and Omagh's, Seamus Leonard (Subaru WRC) will harbour designs on event victory.

The Patterson's RallyNews Group N award is also finely poised with Mitsubishi pair, Garry Jennings and Kevin Kelleher separated by just eight points, if dropped scores were taken into consideration, Kelleher would have a three point advantage.

Donegal's, Damien Tourish (Mitsubishi Evo) is seeded at number eight in a top ten that also includes Manus Kelly (Ford Escort) and Camillus Bradley (Ford Escort).  The modified category should prove very competitive with Eugene Ferry, Damien Gallagher, Brian Brogan, Russell Woods and Declan Boyle, also on the entry.  Other entries include Mitsubishi pair, Trevor Bustard and Danny McBride, the latter won the Group N category on this event in 2008 and will be determined to retain the title.

Connie Smith OO in Black Magic Mk2 Escort

Posted: October 8, 2009 5:18 PM

Connie Smith will be carrying out 00 duties aboard the famous "Black Magic" Mk 2 Escort on Saturday.

Scrutiny Times / Final Instructions

Posted: October 8, 2009 2:52 PM

• [link|050921/155622

HASS Border Series All Set For Title Showdown

Posted: October 8, 2009 2:51 PM

The 2009 HASS Border Rally Championship is set for an exciting conclusion as competitors head for the final round on this week-end’s Donegal Harvest Rally.

Three crews are still in contention for the honour of being crowned overall HASS Border Rally Champions for 2009, but with many scoring permutations possible, we can expect a battle that will go all the way to the final stage before a winner emerges.

Going into the event Thomas Carolan and Declan Smith from Meath competing in a class 9 Ford Escort are tied on 38 points with Monaghan’s Niall Maguire and Enda Sherry in a class 8 Subaru WRC. However with the four best scores from the six rounds counting towards the championship, both crews will have to drop their lowest score in the event of a strong finish in Donegal. This could allow the class 13 Escort of Cavan’s Russell Woods and Martin Byrne to sneak past and claim the championship title. They will need to claim full class points though - anything less than a maximum score for the Cavan men would throw the championship wide open, with a tie-break based on fifth best scores a definite possibility.

Away from the battle for the overall championship, class honours will be equally hard fought over, with the majority of the categories still to be decided going into Donegal. And competitors will also be looking forward to the Drive of the Day award, which has proved very popular this year.

The Harvest Rally also marks a homecoming of sorts for the Border Series sponsors – Henderson Auto Sport & Spares. The Raphoe based company is the place to go for all your road and rally Ford Escort requirements, and since coming on board at the start of the year has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Border series. With two of the three protagonists in Henry’s finest, HASS it to be an Escort victory??

VSM Head To Bunbeg For The Seaview Hotel Harvest Rally

Posted: October 6, 2009 3:53 PM

Preparations are ongoing at VSM’s headquarters in Derry for round nine of the Dunlop National Rally Championship with four of our customers competing on the the Seaview Hotel Harvest Rally 2009 on Saturday 10th October.

Running number 4 on the road is PJ Mc Dermott and Francis Regan in their Subaru Impreza WRC S11. PJ has only done one rally this year competing on the Topaz Donegal International Rally so will be a bit rusty but has showed in the past that he is capable of setting some good times on the Donegal tarmac.

At number 14 and 15 are the Bustard brothers, Trevor and Kenny and Danny Mac Bride and Ambrose Given both in Mitsubishi Evo’s. Trevor and Kenny have had a good couple of months lately with 3rd in Group N in Galway and then a Group N win in Clare. Danny hasn’t done much rallying this year but will be looking forward to the rally after claiming 2nd in Group N at the recent Castle Mini-Stages.

At number 78 are Shaun Callaghan and Barry Callaghan in their Subaru Impreza N11. The Donegal crew didn’t compete on the Harvest Rally last year when it was based in Ardara but are looking forward to the rally this year.

The crews with start the rally at 9.30am with nine challenging stages to tackle and 129 stage kilometres to complete. Service will be based in the Bunbeg Business Park and after the final stage has been completed, the winner will be crowned at the HQ, the Seaview Hotel around 6pm.

Visit www.vsmsport.com for all VSM’s latest news.

Time and Distance Schedule

Posted: October 6, 2009 3:52 PM

Donegal Harvest rally

Entry Lists

Posted: September 30, 2009 1:07 PM

Car No Driver Navigator Car Town Class
1 Patrick Elliott Paul Goodman Subaru S12B Cavan 8
2 Niall Maguire Enda Sherry Subaru S11 Monaghan 8
3 Kevin Barrett Sean Mullally Subaru S11 Kildare 8
4 Pj Mc Dermott Francis Regan Subaru S11 Burt 8
5 Seamus Lenorad John Mc Cafferty Subaru Impreza Omagh 8
6 Kevin Kelleher Paddy Robinson Mitsubishi evo9 Cork 8
7 Garry Jennings David Moynihan Mitsubishi evo ix Fermanagh 4
8 Damien Tourish Domhnall Mc Alaney Mitsubishi evo9 Donegal 4
9 Manus Kelly Donall Barrett Ford Escort Glenswilly 14
10 Camilus Bradley Danny O Neill Ford Escort Draperstown 14
11 Eugene Ferry Derek Heena Ford Escort Gweedore 14
12 Damien Gallagher Paul Garry Ford Escort Letterkenny 14
14 Trevor Bustard Kenny Bustard Mitsubishi evo 8 Donegal 4
15 Danny Mc Bride Ambrose Given Mittsubishi evo 8 Convoy 4
16 Brian Brogan Damien McGettigan Ford Escort Letterkenny 14
17 Russell Woods Martin Byrne Ford Escort Cavan 13
18 Declan Boyle Brian Boyle Ford Escort Glenties 14
19 John O Donnell Johnny Baird Ford Escort Donegal 13
20 Conor Harvey Gerard Callaghan Honda Civic Letterkenny 7
21 Pat Kirk Peter Ward Mitsubishi evo 9 Strabane 4
22 John Cairns James Cairns Subaru Impreza Strabane 7
23 Victor Hunter Michael Doherty Ford Escort Cresslough 13
24 Alastair Cochrane Henderson Crawford Ford Escort Antrim 13
25 Geofferty Dolan Conor Murphy Talbot Sunbeam Lifford 13
26 Samuel Kelso Gareth Doherty Ford Escort Letterkenny 13
27 James Browne Terence Magee Ford Escort Letterkenny 13
28 Drew Hunter Conal Doherty Ford Escort Portsalon 13
29 Daniel Conaghan Trevor Graham Ford Escort Milford 12
30 Noel O Donnell Ronan Murrin Peugeot 205 Dungloe 12
31 William Cavanagh Dorothy Cavanagh Ford Escort Tipperary 12
32 Pat Kelly Noel Lambert Subaru Impreza Galway 8
33 Richard Burke Frank Byrnes Subaru Impreza Galway 15
34 Gary Mc Elhinney Leon Jordon Subara Legacy Donegal 15
35 Kieran Roarty James Doherty Mitsubishi evo 8 Dunlewey 4
36 John Watters TBA Ford Escort Ardara 14
37 Mark Wedlock Adam Kinkade Ford Escort Cavan 13
38 John Ward Jonathon Shovlin Toyota Corolla Glenties 11
39 Paul Gallagher James Gallagher Ford Escort Mk1 Fanad 11
40 Neil Pierce Enda O Leary Honda Civic Galway 11
41 Stuart Darcy TBA Toyota Corolla Killybegs 11
42 John Mc Hugh Bobby Trimble Toyota Corolla Portnoo 11
43 Darren Mc Kenna Nicola Mc Kenna Toyota Corolla Monaghan 11
44 Declan Gallagher Eoin Gallagher Toyota Starlet Glenties 11
45 Paul Mc Devitt J P Boyle Toyota Corolla Dungloe 11
46 James Sweeney Martin Ward Toyota Corolla Gweedore 11
47 Seamus Gallagher TBA Citroen Saxo Letterkenny 6
48 Joseph Mc Gonigle Joe Mc Gonigle Citroen C2R2 Muff 6
49 Andrew Mc Loone Patrick Gallagher Ford Escort Strabane 11
50 Tom Muldoon Tommy Nugent Mitsubishi Lancer Mayo 4
51 Anthony Cairns Martin Cairns Subaru Impreza Strabane 4
52 Patrick Herity David Currid Toyota Corolla Sligo 11
53 Declan Mc Brearty Nial Mc Calliog Toyota Corolla Bruckless 11
54 Damien Mc Cauley Shane Mc Macken Toyota Corolla Letterkenny 11
55 Terence Mc Hugh Patrick Mc Hugh Ford Escort Portnoo 12
56 Conor Watters Columba Heena Ford Escort Ardara 12
57 Stuart Rankin William Coyle Ford Escort Letterkenny 12
58 Terry Mc Gonagle Mark Curran Honda Civic Redcastle 11
59 Stephen Mc Ferran Ellen Mc Ferran Ford Escort Derry 13
60 Eamonn Mc Crystal Kevin Bann Ford Escort Glasgow 13
61 Kevin Kelly Paul Hegarty Ford Escort Letterkenny 13
62 Michael Peoples Stephen Gallinagh Ford Escort Derry 12
63 Ciaran Brogan Dermot Mc Gettigan Ford Escort Letterkenny 13
64 Daniel Breslin Johnny Jordon Toyota Corolla Frosses 11
65 Greg Mc Groary Kerry Mc Carter Ford Escort Donegal 13
66 Dermot Cannon John Mc Loone Toyota Corolla Glenties 11
67 Paddy Walker Niall Burns Peugeot206 Donegal 6
68 Danny Gillespie Eamonn Gillespie Honda Civic Annagry 2
69 Andrew Knox Andrew Russell Ford Escort Killygordon 11
70 Eamonn Mc Guigan Michael Moran Ford Escort Derry 12
71 Stephen Mc Ferran Christopher Mc Ferran Ford Escort Antrim 12
72 Paul Carron John Coll Toyota Corolla Rathmullen 11
73 Niall Donoghue Shane Greene Honda Civic Galway 2
74 Gareth Morgan TBA Ford Escort Milford 11
75 John Kelly Adrian Flynn Toyota Corolla Monaghan 10
76 Peter Mc Carry Ford Escort Cresslough 13
77 John Dolan Joe Dolan Ford Escort Donegal 12
78 Shuan Callaghan Barry Callaghan Subaru Impreza Burt 4
79 Greg Mc Laughlin Johnnie Pollock Mitsubishi evo 8 Derry 4
80 William Vance Tom Vance Ford Escort Tyrone 13
81 Denis ferry TBA Subaru Impreza Letterkenny 4
82 Ciaran Walsh TBA Honda Civic Mayo 2
83 Declan Mc Shane Patrick Elliott Honda Civic Inver 2
84 Shane O Rourke Gary Meehan Mitsubishi evo6 Leitrim 4
85 Thomas Carolan Declan Smith Ford Escort Meath 9
86 Patrick Bonner Micheal Bonner Ford Escort Burtonport 12
87 Enda Mc Ginley Frankie Mc Ginley Ford Escort Gweedore 10
88 Micheal Bonner Mark Wilson Ford Escort Crolly 14
89 Derek Mc Gonagle Edward Mc Gonagle Ford Escort Redcastle 13
90 Shane Maguire Stephen Thornton Peugeot 205 Monaghan 10
91 Treanor Barry Colm Connolly Peugeot 205 Monaghan 10
92 John O Donnell Brendan Furlong Toyota Starlet Kilkenny 9
93 Pa Bellew Jimmy Bellew Ford Escort Meath 9
94 Alistair Glenn Martin Sharkey Peugeot 206 Lifford 6
95 Jonny Leonard Jackie Donaldson Nissan Micra Fermanagh 5
96 Ciaran Burke Darina Joyce Honda Civic Galway 3
97 Hugh M. Toye Breeda Toye Honda Civic Donegal 11
98 Kevin Bradley James Mc Nulty Mitsubishi evo10 Letterkenny 4
99 Ollie Harvey Cathal Sharkey Honda Civic Letterkenny 11
100 Eamonn Sweeney Gerard Mc Ginley Ford Escort Dunfanaghy 11
101 Dermot Mc Groary Darragh Kelly Talbot Sunbeam Donegal 10
102 Liam Mc Mullan Patrick Durning Honda Civic Dunfanaghy 2
103 Michael Gillespie Denis O Donnell Ford EscortG3 Gweedore 12
104 Brendan Gallagher Anthony Gallagher Toyota Corolla Burtonport 11
105 Alvin Alcorn Barry Melly Toyota Corolla Letirmacward 11
106 Eamonn Mc Cafferty Catherine Lewis Ford Puma Ballintra 5
107 Michael Mc Clafferty Kevin Mc Loughlin Honda Civic Letterkenny 2
108 Kenneth Mc Hale Derek Mc Carthy Toyota Yaris Ballintra n1
109 Ciaran kennedy Paul Mc Guinnis Honda civic Mayo 2
110 Brian O Donnell Alan Quinn Opel Corsa Letterkenny 9
111 Brendan O Reilly Damien Mc Cabe Ford Escort Cavan 9
112 Hubert Valkenborghs David Valkenborghs Talbot Sunbeam Cresslough 10
113 Hugh Gibbons Gavin O Donnell Ford Escort Letterkenny 10
114 Danny Cannon Eamonn Russell Honda Civic Carrigart 11
115 Pauric O Donnell Maurice Boyle Peugeot 306 Dungloe
116 Seamus Doherty Peter Byrne Ford Escort Letterkenny 11
117 Otto Gropler Chrystal Culkeen Ford Ka Mayo 5
118 Padraig Mc Gee Paul Friel Toyota Corolla Gweedore 11
119 Joseph Mc Laughlin John Mc Ginley Honda Civic Ramelton 11
120 Charlie Mc Ginty Niall Mc Daid Peugeot 205 Churchill 10
121 Kieran Sweeney Adrian Sweeney Opel Corsa Drumkeen 9
122 Paddy Boyle Brian O Donnell Ford Escort Gweedore 11
123 Declan Cullen James Cullen Honda Civic Letterkenny 2
124 Martin Mc Laughlin Owen Feeney Ford Escort Glasgow 11
125 Martin Mc Cafferty Patrick Coyle Ford Escort Dunlewey 10
126 Tony Gallagher James Sharkey MG ZR Ballybofey 6
127 Shane Timony Niall Timony Nissan Micra Donegal 5
128 Liam Branley Joseph Devaney Peugeot206 Donegal 6
129 Paul Keys Stephen Keys Vauxhall nova Leitir 9
130 Thomas Mc Cullagh Sean Mc Cullagh Toyota Corolla Letterkenny 11
131 Joseph Doherty Kevin Mc Fadden Ford Escort Falcarragh 11
132 Dan Mc Fadden Emer Mc Fadden Honda Civic Brinalack 11
133 James Greenan Danny Mc Closkey Vauxhall Corsa Donegal
134 Nigel kennedy TBA Honda Civic Letterkenny 2
135 Cormac Molloy James Mc Loone Ford Escort Glenties 9
136 Terence Diver TBA Ford Escort Gweedore 10
137 Chris Melly Hugh Mc Quaid Vauxhall Chevette Pettigo 13
138 Pauric Halvin Laura Greene Honda Civic Redcastle 11
139 Micheal Kerrigan Paul Curran Peugeot 205 Leitrim 10
140 Thomas Mc Glinchey Keith Bovaird Ford Escort Letterkenny 11
141 Pauric Mc Gee TBA Honda Civic Ballybofey 2

Reserve List
R1 Bernard Glackin TBA Toyota Corolla London 11
R2 Stephen Carey TBA Honda Civic Cork 2
R3 Enda Carr Paddy Carr Ford Escort Letterkenny 10
R4 Michael Mc Colgan TBA Ford Escort Dunfanaghy 12
R5 Jim Mc Kenna Thomas Treanor Toyota Starlet Monaghan 11
R6 Sam Moffett James O Reilly Mitsubishi EVO9 Monaghan 4
R7 Paul Doherty Hugh Coll Toyota Corolla Milford 11
R8 Alan Sweeney Timmy Lunn Ford Escort Letterkenny 11
R9 Paddy O Reilly Barry Mc Gill Escort G5 Monaghan 13
R10 Patrick Boyle Donal Mc Cole Toyota Corolla Dungloe 11
R11 Paul Callaghan Gareth Mc Monagle Peugeot 205 Manor 14
R12 David Stanuton TBA Toyota Corolla Mayo 11


Harvest Stages Rally Junior Entry List
Car No Driver Navigator Car Town Class
J1 Damien Whoriskey Ford Escort Gortahork 16
J2 Michael Boyle Glenn Alcorn Toyota Corolla Leitrim 16
J3 Berlin Taylor Vinnie Boyd Toyota Corolla Sligo 16
J4 John Sweeney Jonathan Rooney Honda Civic Donegal 16
J5 Liam Grant Garry MC Laughlin Peugeot 205 Donegal 16
J6 Shane Carr Stephen Peoples Vauxhall nova Donegal 16
J7 Donald Kelly Aidan Sweeney Honda Civic Donegal 16
J8 Deborah O Donnell Sinead Mc Cafferty Honda Civic Donegal 16

Friday Reece Available

Posted: September 26, 2009 11:20 PM

Reece on friday 9th will be available 9am - 4pm
Due to sensitive PR issues we would encourage as many crews as possible to reece on Sunday 4th of October

Friday reece is available by appointement only
Anyone wishing to reece on Friday can contact
087 7566863 / +353 87 7566863 or e mail annietboyle@gmail.com or heenaderek@eircom.net

Seaview Hotel Harvest Rally

Posted: September 26, 2009 11:13 PM

With less than 3 weeks to go until the 2009 Seaview Hotel Harvest Rally, competitors are reminded that entries for the event, which takes place in Bunbeg, Gweedore in Donegal, will close shortly.

This popular Donegal Motor Club event, which integrates rounds of the Dunlop National Championship, the HASS Border Rally Championship and the National Junior Rally Championship, takes place on Saturday 10th October, and will be based in the Bunbeg Business Park, Bunbeg, with a total of 9 stages (3 stages repeated 3 times). The Total stage distance is 129 km, offering great value and making it a very challenging event, for the competitors.
For the spectator, there will be many safe viewing opportunities offering a chance to watch top level rallying over some of the famous International terrain, and view the county at its best.

The service area will be in the Bunbeg Business Park, with headquarters based in the Seaview Hotel, Bunbeg, Gweedore.

Clerk of the Course, Tony Boyle, said, “We are expecting up to 141 competitors to start the event, with a mix of regular competitors and juniors. As far as the Dunlop championship is concerned, Patrick Elliott trailing Niall McGuire 30 points and go head to head for the drivers championship title, with all to play for at this time. It’s the same for the navigator’s title, with Enda Sherry leading Paul Goodman for the top position.
We have the event set up and ready to roll, with some minor details being finalised, its up to the competitors to complete their entries and let us finalise the entry list. A big thanks to all the sponsors, land owners, Donegal County Council, , An Garda Síochána, the Health Services Executive, Civil Defence, my own Officials/Marshals and all other bodies who help out. Without these people such an event could not run.”

Regulations, entry forms and accommodation lists along with other details are available online using the Harvest Rally webpage

• Donegal Harvest rally
• Donegal Motor Club

Regulations and Entry Form

Posted: September 4, 2009 8:59 PM

Regulations

Entry Form

Event Website / Details

Posted: January 1, 2009 12:01 AM

• Donegal Harvest rally
• Donegal Motor Club