🏁 Donegal Countdown: DEVINE AND O’SULLIVAN BRING SEVEN-POINT TITLE LEAD TO DONEGAL

INTERNATIONAL STARS READY TO CHALLENGE AS DEVINE AND O’SULLIVAN BRING SEVEN-POINT TITLE LEAD TO DONEGAL

The 2026 NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship heads north for the jewel in the crown of Irish motorsport this weekend: the Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally. Defending championship leader Callum Devine and his Killarney co-driver Noel O’Sullivan head the massive entry list, carrying a valuable seven-point advantage at the top of the standings into the three-day tarmac marathon.

Running from Friday, June 19 to Sunday, June 21, the Letterkenny-based event presents a grueling challenge across some of the country’s most legendary stages. While the Derry driver is on familiar territory, the title race remains red-hot. Just 13 points separate the top four crews, meaning O’Sullivan and Devine cannot afford a single misstep if they want to protect their lead.

The chasing pack is loaded with talent. Josh Moffett, Eddie Doherty, and David Kelly sit second through fourth respectively, separated by a mere nine points. Moffett and Andy Hayes will look to build on their recent momentum in their Toyota Yaris Rally2, while Doherty and Tom Murphy aim to break through for their first win of the year. Circuit of Ireland winner David Kelly also arrives with local expert Shane Buckley calling the notes, hoping home-soil advantage pays off.

An influx of world-class international stars adds massive intrigue to the weekend. Five-time WRC event winner Kris Meeke lines up alongside Liam Regan in a Toyota Yaris Rally2, bringing undisputed world championship pedigree to the field. He is joined by current WRC competitors Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy, who make a highly anticipated return to Irish tarmac in a Ford Fiesta Rally2. Welsh frontrunner Meirion Evans also returns in his Yaris Rally2, seeking to improve on his previous podium finishes.

Further down the field, the Boyle family will field three separate Škoda Fabias, while Sam Touzel, Ryan Loughran, and Eamonn Kelly continue their respective championship campaigns.

Modifieds, Historics, and Juniors Set for Epic Class Battles

The McEvoy Motorsport & Flat 2 The Hat Modified category has produced a breathtaking entry list. Defending winner Aaron McIntyre aims to protect his crown in his Toyota Starlet, but face severe competition from local hero Kevin Gallagher in the Darrian T90 and Killarney’s Robert Duggan, who arrives fresh off his brilliant Rally of the Lakes victory in his Ford Escort Mk2. Scottish visitors David Bogie and Gordon Morrison bring a pair of Mk2 Escorts to the fight, matching up against top Donegal locals Mark Alcorn, Conor Harvey, and Gareth Irwin. Former champions Frank and Lauren Kelly, alongside pace-setters Martin McCormack, Barney Mitchell, Jonathan Pringle, and Pierce O’Callaghan, ensure the modified field is one of the strongest seen in years.

In the Wales Motorsport Historic ITRC, championship leader Jason McSweeney and Liam Brennan look to defend their position against reigning Donegal Historic winners John O’Donnell and Paddy Robinson, with O’Donnell showing superb recent speed in his BMW M3. Ray Breen and Damien Morrissey add four-wheel-drive flavor in their Subaru Legacy, while Adrian Evans holds third in the standings. Fans will also welcome back the iconic James Cullen, who makes a popular return to the lanes in his Ford Sierra. In total, 27 Historic crews will tackle the event, featuring a diverse lineup including an Opel Manta 400, Talbot Samba, and a unique Porsche 928.

The Paul Browne Plant Hire & Civil Engineering Junior ITRC could not be any tighter, with a single point separating the top three Honda Civic crews of Darragh Walsh/Gary Lombard, Aaron/Caolan Reid, and Graham/Trevor Roche. They lead a packed 23-car Junior field overflowing with hungry local talent.

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