Donnelly set for rallying return

liam7831

Great news. . . only three weeks to Galway cant wait:D. Think The Genie gonna kick ass


http://www.rte.ie/sport/motorsport/2012/0112/donnellye.html


Five-time Irish Tarmac Rally champion Eugene Donnelly is coming out of retirement after striking a deal to contest the 2012 series in the new Mini Cooper.
The Derry driver will begin his campaign with the Safety Direct Galway International Rally on Sunday, 5 February.

Forty-five-year-old Donnelly, who was actually declared bankrupt in a Belfast court in 2010, has received the backing of an as yet unnamed sponsor to compete in the six-round Irish Tarmac Rally Championship (ITRC) this year.
He will compete in Galway in the new Mini Cooper World Rally Car which will be supplied by the McGeehan Motorsport Group in Derry. They have run cars for Donnelly in his previous five championship victories and this year.
The Mini Cooper was run by Ireland's Kris Meeke and Spaniard Dani Sordo in six rounds of the World Rally Championship last year and Donnelly's run in Galway will be the first time the car will see rally action in Ireland.
Donnelly will not have much time to get accustomed to his new machine as it only arrives in Ireland next Tuesday.
The ex-Dani Sordo car will make its Irish debut on the 2012 New Year's stages at Kirkistown in County Down with McGeehan Motorsport owner Derek McGeehan behind the wheel.
Donnelly himself will get a two-day test in the car before the first round of the series in the west of Ireland next month.

liam7831

McGarrity entering in a newly acquired Focus aswell

h3000

Excellent news :D

De Hipster

liam7831 wrote: »

Great news. . . only three weeks to Galway cant wait:D. Think The Genie gonna kick ass

http://www.rte.ie/sport/motorsport/2012/0112/donnellye.html

Forty-five-year-old Donnelly, who was actually declared bankrupt in a Belfast court in 2010, has received the backing of an as yet unnamed sponsor to compete in the six-round Irish Tarmac Rally Championship (ITRC) this year.

...there's the bravery!

sidewaysdrivin

Here's the press release from the club for forums



The exciting news is that the City Centre Special Stage is returning.
The Special Stage will begin the day with the first car out at 10:00am and it will be followed by a 3x3 Stage format
This will be one full day of rallying (Sunday) with Recce/Scrutiny the day before to make everything that one bit easier for crews.
Ceremonial start will take place once again in Eyre Square the night before.
Entries are still open and are dramatically reduced prices, and 50% bonus points towards the 2012 Irish Tarmac Championship


Update:
We will be hoping to release a 'Rally Guide' before the weekend that will have as much information as possible on the event. We will also confirm the super low entry fee, it will be amazingly low for an International event and will be very attractive. We are doing everything we can to cut costs for the competitor and its looking really good at the moment. We will keep you posted and will start updating the website too soon."


entry fee update:
Hello all, entry fees confirmed for the Safety Direct Galway International Rally 2012.

Main Field 545 (10 stages )
Historic's 545 ( Historic's will be doing all 10 stages and will be running on front of the main field )
Juniors 345 ( Juniors will be doing the Spectator stage in the city and 6 stages )
This is very good value for a high profile International Event and good value for 10 stages




also to mention:
Galway Motor Club Marshalls wanted for rally 2012 - Sun 5th Feb 2012 contact Patsy Finnerty on 087 2870702

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i was told today the entry list is already gone above 140, which is not far of double lastyears entry list from what i can remember. and with all the big names back again and especially donnelley being announced today galway could suprise us. i decided to go marshalling at it with two other lads from wexford, hopefully we'll be on the town stages. should be good craic anyways. sarah wheelan is giving us updates the whole time on another forum

twincamman

should be good !!!!

alanrebelsw

What other forum

wobbles

Is DMG definatley in the focus? Hope he turns up in the new S14 he got

liam7831

I think he is intending on mainly hiring out the S14

liam7831

Tea 1000

Horrible looking, but ultra cool! Anyone know where the Sunday stages will be? Or Saturday for that matter?

Tea 1000

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Is it the inner racing nerd of me that I really like the pedal box in the car?

Nope... it's the outer racing nerd of you!!

wobbles

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Horrible looking, but ultra cool! Anyone know where the Sunday stages will be? Or Saturday for that matter?

Galway is a single day event this year. It says the 4th and 5th of febuary, but the saterday is the start in erye square with no special stages. Not sure where the stages are based

Robbo

wobbles wrote: »

Not sure where the stages are based

The same Headford based stages as Sunday last year.

liam7831

Main Field

1 Tim McNulty Paul Kiely Subaru S12B 6
2 Gareth Machale Brian Murphy Ford Focus 6
3 Derek McGarrity James McKee Ford Focus WRC 6
4 Eugene Donnelly Paddy Toner MINI John Cooper Works WRC 6
5 Daragh O'Riordan Tony McDaid Subaru WRC S12 6
6 Darren Gass Enda Sherry Subaru Impreza WRC S10 6
7 Garry Jennings Rory Kennedy Mitsubishi Evo 9 4
8 Alan Ring James O'Brien Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 4
9 Daniel McKenna Andrew Grennan Ford Escort Mk2 14
10 Gary McPhillips TBA Ford Escort Mk2 14
11 Thomas Fitzmaurice Fionn Foley Subaru Impreza WRC S11 6
12 Donagh Kelly Kevin Flanagan Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 4
14 Sam Moffett James O'Reilly Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 4
15 Tom Flaherty Patrick Curley Ford Escort Mk2 14
16 Josh Moffett Lennon Domhnáll Mitsubishi Evo 9 4
17 Mark Alcorn Kevin McCafferty Ford Escort Mk2 14
18 Richard Burke John Burke Subaru Impreza 15
19 Declan Boyle Brian Boyle Ford Escort 14

20 Daniel Barry Gordon Noble Mitsubishi Evo 10 4