Donegal International Rally Day 1
All the waiting is over, the biggest sporting event in Ireland is underway. The 2017 Joule Donegal International Rally launched into action today in Letterkenny.
Today saw 150 cars cross the start ramp in Letterkenny and tackle 6 tough fast stages based around letterkenny and Stranolor.
Manus Kelly lead the crews into the opening Trentagh stage and after waiting all year to defend his title came out of the first stage with the second fastest time.
Garry Jennings made it to the end of the stage unlike in 2016 then his engine blew before the end of stage 1 and posted the 3rd fastest time. But the fastest team out of the blocks in 2017 were Donagh Kelly and Conor Foley, with the Donegal crew posting the fastest time through the first stage although it was close with only 3 seconds separating the top 3.
After 2 more stages, the crews arrived into lunchtime service in the same order, Donagh Kelly leading with Manus Kelly only 9 seconds behind and Garry Jennings in third.
After lunch and throughout the entire afternoon the battle was raging and as the crews arrived back into Letterkenny this evening Donagh Kelly had slightly extended his lead over Manus Kelly to 12 seconds with Gary jennings 23 seconds off the lead in 3rd.
In the Irish Tarmac Championship race, Alaistair Fisher leads the Moffett brothers into the overnight break, with Sam holding family honors in the Moffett household for tonight.
In the modified class the lead changed hands more times through the day than there is time for me to describe every twist and turn of what is developing into an epic battle. To give an indication on just how close the battle of the modifieds was, at lunchtime service, Damien Gallagher lead from Declan Gallagher with Kevin Gallagher in third and Kevin Eves in 4th ....... with only 2.7 seconds separating the 4 drivers.
In the afternoon Kevin Eves woke up and put his right foot to the headlight and moved into first by the time the teams reached letterkenny. 8 seconds behind Eves tonight is Damien Gallagher in his similar class 14 Mk2 Escort while Declan Gallagher is 3rd, 14 seconds off the lead in the RWD Starlet.
Tomorrow promises to be another epic day as usual in Donegal with some saying the real rally starts on Saturday morning. the teams start off with a high speed pass through the fast flowing Garrygort stage which will make sure everyone is fully awake for the high speed pass over Knockalla.
After a quick service in Milford the crews will return to tackle Garrygort and Knockalla again before lunch. In the afternoon the traditional Carnhill and Gartan Lake tests are tackled twice before everyone returns to Letterkenny for a well deserved pint ....... or 2.
