Loeb wins Donegal International rally

World Rally champions, Sebastien Loeb/Daniel Elena in a Citroen C4 WRC won the Shell Donegal International Rally.

They finished two minutes and seven seconds ahead of the Subaru of Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy, Eugene Donnelly/Paul Harris, also in a Subaru, was third.

Today, Loeb doubled his 40 second overnight advantage within three stages with Higgins maintaining second and staying on course for top points in the Irish Tarmac Championship.

Kevin Lynch, third overnight, lost the spot to Eugene Donnely on the opening stage.

However, he regained the position on the next stage (S.S. 18). Donnelly, equal fastest with Loeb through

Atlantic Drive (S.S. 19) moved within a few seconds of his fellow Derry driver.

Donnelly went ahead on S.S. 20 but the contest ended on the penultimate stage when Lynch retired with a broken steering rack.

Ironically, Donnelly lost time with turbo trouble, he was able to change the unit prior to the last stage

and secured third.

Paul Harris in a Toyota Corolla netted fourth following the late retirement of Kevin Lynch.

Patrick Elliot’s Subaru was fifth and Seamus Leonard in a Mitsubishi, was a convincing winner of Group N.

He finished two minutes and 45.3 seconds ahead of Michael Curran, who came through top take second after Garry Jennings punctured his Mitsubishi.

The final places in the top were secured by Sean Devine, James Cullen and Stuart Darcy.

Retirements included Niall Maguire and Hugh Martin Doherty, both in Subaru WRC’s.

Welsh driver, Phil Collins (Escort) won the national category.

1. S. Loeb/D. Elena (Citroen C4 WRC) 2h. 48m. 38.3s.

2. M. Higgins/R. Kennedy (Subaru WRC) 2h. 50m. 45.3s.

3. E. Donnelly/P. Kiely (Subaru WRC) 2h. 54m. 23.2s.

4. P. Harris/E. O'Donnell (Toyota Corolla WRC) 2h.

59m. 14.4s.

5. P. Elliott/P. Goodman (Subaru WRC) 3h. 01m. 33.9s.

6. S. Leonard/G. McVeigh (Mitsubishi) 3h. 05m.00.2s.

7. M. Curran/F. McShane (Mitsubishi) 3h. 07m. 45.4s.

8. S. Devine/P. McLaughlin (Subaru WRC) 3h. 08m.

08.4s.

9. J. Cullen/A. Harryman (Lancer N) 3h. 08m. 37.7s.

10. W. Fannin/P/ Robinson (Subaru) 3h. 12m. 42.3s.

NATIONAL RALLY:

1. P. Collins/D. Brannigan (Escort) 3h. 12m. 01.2s.

2. D. Gallagher/M. Walsh (Escort) 3h. 14m. 22.6s.

3. M. McGee/D. Crawford (Escort) 3h. 14m. 43.7s.

4. R. Peoples/K. Stewart (Escort) 3h. 15m. 13.0s.