DONEGAL INTERNATIONAL RALLY

creaghadoos

that rally starts on friday and finishes on sunday with 2 stages in buncrana town centre.

this is likely to bring out a massive crowd, weather permitting

Deer Hunter DL

can't wait for this got the rally program on sat hope the weather is good , letterkenny is going to be buzzing with the sound of janspeeds rasping away

homer simpson

Oh yeah guys, there is also a Ceremonial start being organised for Thursday night, i will post up the full details when i know them but its proposed to be at 8pm right after scrutiny at McGinley motors

muffler

Same as last year.......homer_simpson banned 'til after the rally :pac:

homer simpson

muffler wrote: »

Same as last year.......homer_simpson banned 'til after the rally :pac:

Mint Sauce

Hopefully passes off without any major incident this year.

Quo Vadis

Scumbag season is here again.

muffler

Quo Vadis wrote: »

Scumbag season is here again.

1 month ban

You might have a civil tongue the next time you blow in here

Pique

I love watching rallying. Not looking forward to the twin-cam brigade rasping their Janspeeds though.

Fracture

I like it, it brings a bit of excitement around, some people say it brings a bad crowd around. Well, no matter what is on there is always a few bad eggs around.

homer simpson

Good to see a piece on the 6.01 news tonight about the rally for positive reasons for a change

alchemist33

Can't find a map online. Anybody know of one? I believe it's passing through Illistrin.

iMuse

alchemist33 wrote: »

Can't find a map online. Anybody know of one? I believe it's passing through Illistrin.

Heres the map for the stages on the council website

http://www.donegalcoco.ie/services/roadstransport/General+Information/temporaryroadclosure.htm

rushnaldo

Vincent Bonner in the yellow mark two escort sweet jaysus thats gonna be a spine tingling site bringing back all those great memories of the great times as he came sideways through letterkenny main street to win in 83.. Cant wait!

irish1967

I remember when my dad was clerk of the course. We used to have an old Renault 12 but we got a BMW 735i with the 001 for the week of the rally. Still remember taking a spin on a stage road outside Ballindrait. Mum used to get 002 when the rally finished on Sunday. We never wanted them to give the cars back.

For weeks before the rally we would be on stage mapping runs and then closer to the date we would be out catching guys practicing the stages. Then it was off for our one steak of the year in the 3ways Motel. I can still remember (I was 11 at the time) the meal for 2 adults and 3 kids coming to £16.66.

Had great spins in some fantastic cars when sponsors etc would call to the house. A Datsun 280z, a Jensen, and a Lancia Stratos to name but a few.

Ah those were the days.

kiddums

Does anyone know what kind of disruptions this will be causing in Letterkenny on Friday during the day?

I know it starts outside the theatre but I can't remember what time.
Where will the cars be comming from and going to?

I got a few things to do in the town and I just want to avoid the crowds.

alchemist33

iMuse wrote: »

Heres the map for the stages on the council website

http://www.donegalcoco.ie/services/roadstransport/General+Information/temporaryroadclosure.htm

Thanks. I'd looked there but could not find it.

homer simpson

iMuse wrote: »

Heres the map for the stages on the council website

http://www.donegalcoco.ie/services/roadstransport/General+Information/temporaryroadclosure.htm

No disrespect but it'd be better if people bought the program with the map and FCD (first car due) stage times and actually support the event properly, rather than people getting the info for free on here!

homer simpson

kiddums wrote: »

Does anyone know what kind of disruptions this will be causing in Letterkenny on Friday during the day?

I know it starts outside the theater but I can't remember what time.
Where will the cars be comming from and going to?

I got a few things to do in the town and I just want to avoid the crowds.

Usually you won't get too much of a crowd on friday morning. The cars all park at the Grill car park and the theater car park on the main street, they then go the opposite way of the one way system to the start ramp, outside O'boyces shop, but they drive down the parking spaces along the main street so it causes minimal disruption to normal traffic / people walking ect.

Honestly there won't be too much of a crowd about because after they cross the ramp (10am) they head to the first stage in Portsalon, which is a good distance away and for the people following the rally too far away to watch the start ramp too.

All in all you'll not notice the rally was in the town come 1pm.

kiddums

Thanks Homer.

Tho I didn't think the grill car park would be a safe place to have the cars. Or do they move them in the morning?


Sorry, the last time I actually followed the rally the car were kept in the eircom yard and the ramp was at the mount errigal.
Showing my age there tho.:o

homer simpson

kiddums wrote: »

Thanks Homer.

Tho I didn't think the grill car park would be a safe place to have the cars. Or do they move them in the morning?


Sorry, the last time I actually followed the rally the car were kept in the eircom yard and the ramp was at the mount errigal.
Showing my age there tho.:o

they only arrive there the Friday morning, they stay at park ferme at LYIT every night from Thursday night on, they set up a barrier fence and have security there when the cars are in there though.


I've just heard about the ceremonial start....

They have managed to get a real rallying legend in the form of Markku Alén from Finland to flag off the cars at both the Ceremonial start (Thursday night) and the official start (Friday morning). Along with F1 commentator Tony Jardine!

The start on Thursday evening will be at the Market Square on main street at 8pm to mark the 40th anniversary. They will prob only have the ceremonial start for the first 20 cars (not all cars). Alén / Jardine and the drivers will be there to sign autographs ect after the start too.

donegal motor club wrote:

Rally Legend Markku Alén to visit 2011 Topaz Donegal International Rally


The Organisers of the Topaz Donegal International Rally 2011 have just given some details of a visit of Rally Legend Markku Alén, who will flag off the 40th Topaz Donegal International Rally in Letterkenny, beginning at 10.00 am on Friday 17th June 2011.



Finnish driver, Markku Alén, who began his career in Volvo’s quickly moved on to drive for Ford, spending a long career with Fiat and Lancia. He drove many of the iconic cars of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s rallying golden years, often developing the manufacturers testing facilities providing companies with the most successful cars they produced during that era.

Markku Alén will perform a number of duties while attending the rally before the week-end start in Letterkenny.

The Donegal Motor Club’s new office premises on Port Road, will be officially opened on Thursday afternoon at 3.pm.

Afterwards he will visit the Scrutiny base, at McGinley Motors at Pearse Road,. After it begins at 4pm, where he will inspect the mechanical scrutiny and the MotorSport Ireland officials who carry out the scrutineering tasks on behalf of Donegal Motor Club. This will be the first opportunity for the public to meet Markku Alén.

Following a visit to AnGrianán Theatre to view the Esler Crawford 40 year of Donegal Rally Photographic Exhibition.

Later on Thursday evening, he will assist flag off the top competitors on Thursday night after 8pm in The Square, Letterkenny Main Street, at a Ceremonial Start, along with other star of TV, Formula 1 commentator Tony Jardine.

This is the first Ceremonial Start for the Topaz Donegal International Rally, and is a special 40th anniversary occasion on the County Donegal town.

The top competitors will be interviewed and will be available to sign autographs for the public.

Early on Friday morning, Markku will flag off the entire rally at 10am, from the main Start Ramp just outside An Grianán Theatre on the Port Road.

A spokesman for the Club commented: “ We are delighted that Markku Alén has decided to visit us here in Leterkenny. This is a special treat for rally fans to have such a rally legend visit and he was one of the drivers who inspired all the modern day rally drivers we now know so well.”

Only thing i see about that is it will more than likely bring in a huge crowd and block up the town, at least it's only a once off, its good to see it though IMO.

feelpablo

Hopefully the weather stays dry for the competitors and spectators alike..

Wishing everyone a safe and fun rally weekend

Pique

irish1967 wrote: »

and a Lancia Stratos to name but a few.

Ah those were the days.

Pics or it didn't happen :-)

Mint Sauce

irish1967 wrote: »

and a Lancia Stratos to name but a few.

Ah those were the days.

Not a really a rally fan (would follow abit of the WRC), but even i'm drooling at the mental image of that.

irish1967

Pique wrote: »

Pics or it didn't happen :-)

Being as it was 1977-1980 I will have to dig a bit. Wasn't like today where camera phones are everywhere. I do remember the Lancia seemed small even to me as a 10 year old.

creaghadoos

went down to see the scrutiny last year for the first time and the buzz about the town was brilliant.

glad to see they are doing something formal on thursday night.

Mint Sauce

Does the Rally ever head south of Ballybofey or the Gap. Wouldn't mind heading up for a bit of it just to get the buzz.

homer simpson

irish-stew wrote: »

Does the Rally ever head south of Ballybofey or the Gap. Wouldn't mind heading up for a bit of it just to get the buzz.

Nope it used to go as far as the gap but hasn't been through it in years! all stages north of letterkenny (3 are very close) and inishowen. If its atmosphere go to buncranna for the town stage (run along the shorefront road) on sunday evening, i'd get there early though expecting 20,000 people

creaghadoos

irish-stew wrote: »

Does the Rally ever head south of Ballybofey or the Gap. Wouldn't mind heading up for a bit of it just to get the buzz.

normally centres around l/kenny fanad and inishowen

well worth a run up.
knockalla, last stage on saturday, then down to newton with the boy racers, and back up to town for 10 o'clock

or come to buncrana on sunday afternoon and watch the last 2 stages through the town centre, then head to LK for the finish ramp

brembo26

How ye all. I was just wondering where are the "places to be" over the weekend. Myself and a few mates are coming up from Galway. It will be our first time at the rally so basically wheres the best place for stages and whatever stuff goes on after :P Might head out on the town as well on Saturday night!

Thanks.

creaghadoos

brembo26 wrote: »

How ye all. I was just wondering where are the "places to be" over the weekend. Myself and a few mates are coming up from Galway. It will be our first time at the rally so basically wheres the best place for stages and whatever stuff goes on after :P Might head out on the town as well on Saturday night!

Thanks.

there are no bad stages, every one is first class,
Glenn, on friday
knockalla on saturday
buncrana on sunday

as for afters, head to newtoncunningham (about 8 miles) on saturday evening, there is a show with a bit of diffing.

brembo26

cheers thanks for the reply!

CianDon

Heading up from Cork now tomorrow morning. Should be a savage weekend. Knockalla is the plan for Saturday and then possibly Buncrana on Sunday

brembo26

Once its better then Killarney im happy anyway. Went down one year and never had a minutes peace down there, nothing but hassle of the gaurds! Didnt even spend the night down there and didnt see one stage I got so sick of it

homer simpson

creaghadoos wrote: »

there are no bad stages, every one is first class,
Glenn, on friday
knockalla on saturday
buncrana on sunday

as for afters, head to newtoncunningham (about 8 miles) on saturday evening, there is a show with a bit of diffing.

Just to point out the "diffing" has nothing to do with the rally before someone says it! I'm not a fan myself, but each to their own, and if it keeps the differs off the public roads i'm all for these events ( i hear there is 3 this year, letterkenny karting + newtown + DDT)

brembo26

I totally agree, if there is a designated area off the public road for diffin and the likes it will make the weekend much more enjoyable for a lot of people. I might go for a look if I don't head out on the town Saturday.

Pique

From Letterkenny Chamber:

This evening there is a Ceremonial Start taking place at 8pm in the Market Square /Main Street area.

The cars will leave McGinleys Car Park (the scrutiny area) about 10 at a time from 7.30pm at the earliest. They will drive up Justice Walsh Road onto Upper Main Street . They then go up Church Lane and drive down Market Square beside the Brewery. Then 3 or 4 at a time they will go on to Main Street, through the arch and starting ramp that will be located just past Greenes at the old First Active building and then return to McGinleys.

Rally Legend Markku Alén will be in attendance and it should be a good evening.

The Gardai will be policing it and have assured us that local traffic will be able to flow as freely as possible. *There will of course be extra traffic and people however we have been told that the only coned area will be on the brewery side of Market Square. The ramp will be erected from around 6.30pm – 7pm

Just also for your information the cars arrive back after the stages tomorrow at around 6pm, so you should expect some traffic congestion.

Here’s the website if you want to know more or link to the Facebook page
http://www.donegalrally.ie/index.php
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Donegal-International-Rally-2011/208998502463119

danniemcq

just walked through town was kinda quiet and just when i thought about staying and taking pics it started raining. Dinner time me thinks

mamakevf

Pique wrote: »

Rally Legend Markku Alén will be in attendance and it should be a good evening.

Seen a black Corolla saloon with Markku on the side and I was wondering was it him, now I know.;)

Somebody mention Stratos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXtNzGKFio0&feature=related
And some more recent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J4BnmVngwc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk3a1Q9viIE&feature=related

creaghadoos

was in town tonight, great buzz about mcginleys
alistair fishers fiesta is really mean looking
i hung about the market square till 8.40, got fed up waiting and just came home. did anything actually happen? if so, was it any good? and what time did it start

sweet girl

It was nearly 9 when it started, i only stayed for about the first 10 cars or so. Marku said a few words, then a brief interview with the drivers, Alaistair Fisher was there in the WRC Fiesta, Tim Mc Nulty, Derek McGarrity,Gary Jennings, Vincent Bonner and some other local crews in Mk 2 escorts

danniemcq

thats a shame it started so late,

hope rest of weekend goes better

homer simpson

It was late in starting alright, and not really worth the wait when it did start! The wee feista that Alister Fisher is driving is a lovely looking wee car alright





I think it goes without saying, I really hope everyone have a safe and enjoyable rally, I know i will. See ya's on the stages .

danniemcq

And listen to the Marshalls people, they are just doing their job trying to keep people safe and THEY WILL cancel the stage if people don't listen.

.17hmr

i see the rescue chopper away down that way hope every one is ok

rushnaldo

Having dinner in the downings bay hotel here after Atlantic drive. Allistair Fisher in the fiesta is flying it

joeKel73

Hoping to get out with the camera over the weekend....

Can anyone recommend any good spectator spots to get some photos?? Somewhere that the cars lift of the road would be good!

homer simpson

foto joe wrote: »

Hoping to get out with the camera over the weekend....

Can anyone recommend any good spectator spots to get some photos?? Somewhere that the cars lift of the road would be good!

PM sent....

Local-womanizer

The last stage was canceled today after a citroën crashed out. Anyone have any details? Highland didn't even mentioned the fact the stage was stopped after about 30 cars....

irish1967

I got a little bored today...:)

homer simpson

Local-womanizer wrote: »

The last stage was canceled today after a citroën crashed out. Anyone have any details? Highland didn't even mentioned the fact the stage was stopped after about 30 cars....

Never heard, I wouldn't imagine it would be too bad, stages are stopped all the time due to road being blocked ect, I wouldn't honestly expect highland to mention that either.