Young Guns to the fore in 41st Topaz Donegal International Rally
Rally expected to draw crowds of up to 70,000
Donegal first timer and top seed Darren Gass faces tough battle
Thursday June 14th 2012. Up to 70,000 people are expected to turn out to watch various stages of the Topaz Donegal International Rally over the weekend.
The Rally which kicks off in Letterkenny tomorrow (Friday) morning, is now the only three day rallying event in the country.
One hundred and fifty cars have entered and the first of these will go down the start ramp at 11am before heading towards Buncrana for 6 stages. The action will conclude with big crowds expected to turn out for two town stages around the streets of Buncrana.
On Saturday there will be 8 stages in the Milford area while on Sunday there will be 6 stages centred on Downings..
As usual the Rally, which forms a key round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, has attracted most of the country’s top drivers, for what is expected to be a very open contest.
The aptly named Darren Gass is top seed having already won the Galway Rally and the Circuit of Ireland.
However given it’s his first time competing in Donegal, the Armagh man, who is a former British Junior Rally Champion knows he faces a long tough rally
He will also face fierce competition from a host of other young drivers including Darragh O’Riordan and Garry Jennings. Other top seeds include Derek McGarrity, Niall Maguire, Donagh Kelly, Seamus Leonard, Aaron MacHale and Scottish Champion David Bogie
The Rally also encompasses Junior and Historic categories.
This year’s Clerk of the Course Eamonn McGee said that the safety of all involved would again be a priority for his team in the Donegal Motor Club and the 500 or so stewards who will be on duty at the Rally.
‘I would urge all spectators to co-operate with the course marshals and to follow their instructions. We can’t emphasise how important safety is’ McGee said.
ENDS.
For further information
Contact Kieran Garry
Gordon MRM (Topaz)
01/6650455 or 087/2368366