DONEGAL COUNTDOWN:Record tenth Donegal Rally for Ní Shé

DONEGAL COUNTDOWN:
Record tenth Donegal Rally for Ní Shé
Elaine Ní Shé is set to hit a major milestone as she contests her 10th Donegal International Rally this weekend, June 19-21.

A native of the west Kerry Gaeltacht and a fluent Irish speaker, Ní Shé regularly promotes the use of the Irish language in daily life. A highly respected figure in Irish rallying, she is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s top female competitors.
For Ní Shé, the Donegal International Rally has been a central part of her motorsport career for over 16 years. Her first time on the famous stages came in 2011 and 2012 in a Ford Escort Mk2.
“Reaching my tenth Donegal International Rally start is a milestone I’m extremely proud of,” Ní Shé said. “Donegal has played a significant role in my rallying career over the years and it remains one of the events I look forward to. The challenge of the stages, the passion of the supporters, the welcome you receive every time you come here, and the unique atmosphere makes it a truly special rally.
This year, Ní Shé teams up with Tyrone driver Richard O’Lone in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3. The pair have led the NAPA Autoparts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship Class RC3 standings since the Circuit of Ireland Rally at Easter and have maintained that lead after the Rally of the Lakes in May.
They won their class at the recent Benone Rally near Cookstown, which served as a warm-up event for Donegal where competitors will face 20 demanding special stages over three days.
“Richard and I arrive in Donegal leading the RC3 Championship and our objective is to maintain the advantage we have held since the Circuit of Ireland while continuing to build on the progress we have made together this season,” Ní Shé added. “We have enjoyed a strong start to the year and will be competing in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3, which is a fantastic car and one we’ve really enjoyed getting to grips with. It’s quick, reliable and well suited to the demanding roads we face in Donegal. We’ve had some strong results in it already and are looking forward to seeing what we can achieve on one of the biggest events of the year.”
“I’m particularly looking forward to experiencing the new stages in the Gweedore area and returning to classics such as Knockalla, Fanad, Atlantic Drive and Gartan. They are among the finest rally stages anywhere in the world. Every year Donegal delivers something memorable, whether it’s the competition, the scenery or the atmosphere. There’s always plenty of craic along the way too, which is part of what makes it so special. I can’t wait to get back out on those famous roads once again.”
“It is also an honour to become the first female co-driver from Kerry to achieve ten Donegal International Rallies. Ellen Morgan, who co-drove for James Cullen and won the rally twice, is the only other female co-driver that I am aware of to have achieved this landmark, making it particularly meaningful to be mentioned alongside someone who enjoyed such success at the event. Is mór an onóir dom filleadh ar Dhún na nGall don deichiú huair mar cho-thiománaí, agus táim ag tnúth go mór leis.”
In a nod to the late, great Morgan, Cullen is entered in the rally in the famous Ford Sierra Cosworth that the pair used to win the event in 1991.
The Letterkenny-based driver had originally asked Ní Shé to sit with him but as she is committed to the championship with O’Lone, Cullen offered the seat to Singapore-based Clare woman Sinead Canny, another one of Ireland’s top female co-drivers.
Morgan passed away in 2006, and her last rally was the 2000 Donegal alongside Cullen, where they finished second.
Three other Kerry co-drivers feature among the top eight seeds.
Leading the field at number one is Noel O’Sullivan alongside Derry man Callum Devine in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. The current Tarmac Championship leaders are chasing their fourth consecutive Donegal victory and could put the title beyond reach of their rivals this weekend.
Shane Buckley starts at number seven alongside David Kelly in another Fabia RS Rally2. The Circuit of Ireland winners take confidence from their Easter victory and a third-place finish at the Rally of the Lakes.
At eight, Ger Conway reunites with Wales’ Meirion Evans in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, aiming for another Donegal podium after a strong run in Carlow last month.
In the modified category, Rob Duggan and John McCarthy are seeded at 32 in their Ford Escort Mk2, fresh from overall victory at the Rally of the Lakes. They start as third seeds in the national category.
Castleisland co-driver Denny Greaney is the ninth seed in the historic class alongside Ronan Campbell in a Ford Escort Mk2.

---

---