Donnelly ends title bid

Eugene Donnelly, one of the most successful drivers in Irish rallying has been forced to end his bid to land a record breaking fifth successive Irish Tarmac title.

Donnelly won the first of his four Tarmac titles when he shared the series with Derek McGarrity in 2004.

He had previously won the Dunlop Championship in 2003 and the Irish Forest series in 2002, he is also a former Northern Ireland champion.

The lack of an overall sponsor is the principal reason for his decision to stop, he has also stated that he will not compete in the Circuit of Ireland at the end of the month.

He said, “We have been really struggling to get a budget together, even from late last year, which had a difficult end. Then we had a deal fall through on us early this year, and since then it’s been even more difficult, especially with the timescale involved. I’ve tried my best to keep the thing alive, but at this stage it’s simply just not working out for us.”

Donnelly has notched up a total of 13 victories in the Tarmac series and he is the only driver to win each individual round of the series since it’s inception in 1978.

He added, “I’m really disappointed that I’m missing a chance of a lifetime to go for a record fifth consecutive title, and equal Austin MacHale’s record of five Tarmac titles. However that’s life, and it just goes to show the dedication, determination, commitment and financial pressure that goes so much in hand with the sport nowadays.”

Donnelly paid tribute to all those that helped him along the way, “I have had four or five great years with many great sponsors, and worked with great people running the cars. I’ve had a great career to date, and I feel very, very lucky to have had that. I really have enjoyed my rallying immensely over the past seasons and thanks to everyone involved.”

Meanwhile, Tim McNulty will debut his new S12B Subaru on Sunday’s Mayo Rally, the first round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.

The Meath driver, who has won the Cork “20” and the Rally of the Lakes, is using the Castlebar based event as a shakedown for the Circuit of Ireland, the second round of the Global Group Irish Tarmac Championship.

Mark Higgins (Subaru) holds a three-point lead over McNulty following the opening round in Galway last month.