Donnelly extends lead in Donegal Rally

In the second day of the Shell Donegal International Rally, Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) have extended their lead to 23 seconds.

They extricated three seconds from this morning’s opening four stages as they lead the Subaru WRC of Andrew Nesbitt/James O’Brien.

Derek McGarrity/Dermot O’Gorman (Subaru WRC) remain in third place.

Nesbitt reduced the deficit to 17 seconds on the opening stage this morning but Donnelly regained the three seconds on the next stage and took two seconds and one second respectively from the next two stages.

Both drivers remarked that tyre choice in the changing weather conditions is a lottery.

Tyre choice cost third place McGarrity vital seconds and he has lost ground to the top duo.

Meanwhile, Kevin Lynch in a Subaru is a solid fourth ahead of the Ford Focus WRC of Austin MacHale, who had intercom difficulties this morning.

Tim NcNulty (Subaru) has closed to within four seconds of the five times Irish tarmac champion while Paul Harris is the top local driver in sixth – he lost over 20 seconds when his Subaru stalled at the start of S.S. 8.

Mathew Wilson (Ford Focus), the 17-year-old son of M-Sport boss, Malcolm, is seventh and the remaining top ten places belong to Maurice Gass (Subaru) and Group N leader, Seamus Leonard (Subaru). Leonard has a three second lead over Aaron MacHale (Mitsubishi).

This morning’s retirements include George Cullen (Subaru) and Brendan Kelly (Corolla), both drivers crashed out.

1. E. Donnelly/P. Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) 49m. 52s.

2. A. Nesbitt/James O’Brien (Subaru Impreza WRC) 50m. 15s.

3. D. McGarrity/D. O’Gorman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 51m. 12s.

4. K. Lynch/F. Regan (Subaru Impreza) 51m. 33s.

5. A. MacHale/B. Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) 52m. 21s.

6. T. McNulty/A. Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC) 52m. 25s.

7. P. Harris/J. McCafferty (Subaru Impreza WRC) 52m. 48s.

8. M. Wilson/S. Martin (Ford Focus WRC) 52m. 53s.