(Pictured is Topaz CEO John Williamson and Topaz Donegal International Rally winner 2012 Garry Jennings.)
Garry Jennings and co-driver Neil Doherty have won this year’s Topaz Donegal International Rally by 1 minute and 21 seconds from Seamus Leonard after today’s final six stages.
The Fermanagh driver, who was competing behind the wheel of a Subaru Impreza S14 world rally car for the first time this weekend led the event from the first stage on Friday right through the weekend to secure his first win of this year’s Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
Jennings’ closest rival up until today was Killarney Rally of the Lakes winner Darragh O’Riordan, but the Cork driver pushed too hard today trying to catch the leader and ended up hitting a bank leaving him a further seven minutes back and he retired from the race.
Second place went to Seamus Leonard, also in a Subaru Impreza S14, with Derek McGarrity in third place.
The most significant drive of the weekend could end up being Irish Tarmac Championship leader Darren Gass’ recover from Friday’s time penalties.
The Armagh driver was languishing well down the field on Friday after arriving late to the fourth stage. However he clawed his way up through the field to finish fifth and secure valuable Championship points.
The Group N win went to Motorsport Ireland Young Rally Driver of the Year Sam Moffett after a fascinating clash with his brother Josh across the three days in Donegal.
Sam led for most of the event, but surrendered his lead late on Saturday evening to his brother.
However Sam fought back on Sunday to claim the Group N victory in his Mitsubishi Evo.