Killarney and District Motor Club crews head for the Hills! Donegal Harvest Rally preview

Killarney and District Motor Club crews head for the Hills! Donegal Harvest Rally preview

Several Killarney-based drivers and co-drivers are making the long trip north for Sunday’s Donegal Harvest Rally.

The second rally in the country since restrictions were lifted has attracted a bumper entry, among them several members of Killarney and District Motor Club.

Millstreet’s Liam Moynihan, a member of KDMC for many a year is on co-driving duty for Cathan McCourt in their Ford Fiesta RC2 and will start at number seven.

Two cars ahead is Keith Moriarty, and while not a member of KDMC (he is a member of Limerick Motor Club), he hails from Abbeyfeale, just over the county bounds, is on pace note duty for Sam Moffett in another Fiesta.

The first all local crew, Daniel Cronin and Shane Buckley are also Fiesta mounted and arrive in Donegal in fine form following their fifth-place finish on the Cork ‘20’ ten days ago.

All of the above have been in action already this year but several more Killarney crews are competing for the first time since 2019.

These include David Slattery and Ger Coffey in their Ford Escort and Denis Hickey and Sean Nolan on another Escort.

Denis Nagle and Donagh Crowley are also entered in their Nissan Micra. Rahtmore school teacher Declan Casey is co-driving for Andrew Gillespie in another Escort.

The launch was held at the Abbey Hotel, in Donegal Town, sponsor’s of this year’s rally. At the event launch, last month, 1981 World Rally Champion Ari Vatanen, spoke of his delight at being asked to help promote the Rally:

“Donegal holds a special place in my heart,” said Vatanen. “I won the International Rally here in 1978 and I love the nature of the Irish roads, especially Donegal. It provides its own special challenges with its many twists, turns and bumps.

Speaking on behalf on the motor club, Chairman Brian Brogan said:

“We are delighted to welcome The Abbey Hotel as associated sponsor for this event. Irish rallying is making a cautious return after the global pandemic.

Donegal Town man, Eamonn McCafferty is Clerk of the Course for the rally and is happy to be amongst the first rallies to be run as we slowly return to normal.

“Donegal Motor Club has always been at the forefront of raising the bar in terms of safety,” said McCafferty. “We intend implementing all measures to ensure the rally runs safely.”

The event itself will consist of two stages done three times. Stage mileage is approx. 90kms in total with short road sections, centralised service and a shakedown stage on the Saturday evening.