Nesbitt wins Donegal International Rally

Andrew Nesbitt has won his fourth shell Donegal International Rally.

Partnered by Cork’s, James O’Brien, the Armagh driver arrived back to a packed finish ramp in Letterkenny with a victory margin of one minute and 23 seconds.

Nesbitt’s victory puts him back into contention for the Toshiba Computer Irish Tarmac series where he is equal second with Eugene Donnelly – and 10 points adrift of leader, Derek McGarrity.

Nesbitt drove a steady pace through the final stages to take a fine win with Eugene Donnelly’s Subaru finishing a deserved second. He was fastest through the final stage.

Derek McGarrity’s Subaru had suspension trouble towards the end, but he had enough of a cushion to take a solid third.

Eamonn Boland was fourth ahead of Peadar Hurson, who led on Friday’s opening stage.

Hurson spun on the second stage and lost 90 seconds. It was his first finish in his Subaru WRC.

Daniel Doherty (Subaru WRC) headed the local challenge.

In Group N, Seamus Leonard (Subaru) won ahead of Roy White, the latter’s Mitsubishi had steering

difficulties.

Austin MacHale crashed on the Atlantic drive stage.

The final top ten places were taken by Glen Allen and Kevin Lynch.

1. A. Nesbitt/J. O'Brien (Subaru WRC) 2h. 32m. 46s.

2. E. Donnelly/P. Kiely (Subaru WRC) 2h. 34m. 09s.

3. D. McGarrity/D. O'Gorman (Subaru WRC) 2h. 34m. 54s.

4. E. Boland/D. Morrissey (Subaru WRC) 2h. 36m. 06s.

5. P. Hurson/I. Porter (Subaru WRC) 2h. 36m. 42s.

6. D. Doherty/M. Doherty (Subaru WRC) 2h. 37m. 46s.

7. 8. S. Leonard/P. McLaughlin (Subaru Gp. N) 2h.42m. 19s.

8. R. White/G. Shinnors (Mitsubishi Gp. N) 2h. 44m.32s.

9. G. Allen/J. Gallagher (Escort WRC) 2h. 44m. 49s.

10. K. Lynch/M. McNicholl (Subaru WRC) 2h. 45m. 12s.