Donegal Rally results still not finalised

23 June 2024; Callum Devine and Noel O'Sullivan celebrate after winning the Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally

It’s now over sixty days since the conclusion of the Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally when Derry’s Callum Devine secured a debut win in his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 that revitalised his bid to make a successful defence of his Samdec Securities Irish Tarmac Rally Championship title.

However, results of the event, the fifth round of the ITRC have yet to be finalised. Currently, a note on the Motorsport Ireland supported results system, states “PROVISIONAL - Last updated: 14:12 on 26th June to FINISH”. The event took place from June 21 to June 23 - it was the second three-day event in the series that will now conclude with a title-decider on the Cork ‘20’ Rally on Sunday September 29th next.

So why the delay in finalising the results? Initially, it appeared it was related to the Historic category of the event where a crew that had posted the fastest overall time within the category were excluded.

According to a document titled “Stewards Decision No. 1” Competitor Tommy O’Connell/Car No. 304 was excluded following receipt by the stewards of a Vehicle Scrutineering Reject Report that stated the rear dampers were not of a type available and used in period as declared in the presented HRVIF. It was stated that the Ford Escort had Reiger rear dampers fitted which were not of a type available and used in period. This (information) was declared by the Chief Scrutineer and confirmed by expert Paul Loveridge in a phone call.

The document was signed by the event stewards at 22.20 on Sunday evening June 23rd. Following this, it appears that the competitor concerned didn’t lodge a protest and Motorsport Ireland subsequently confirmed the issue was done and dusted.

Subsequently, it appeared that the delay was related to a gearbox check in one of the Rally2 cars that finished the event but had the component sealed until the check was carried out in Wales where the car was found to comply with the regulations. Although not all the relevant people were aware that the check had taken place, the Irish Examiner was subsequently told that the issue would be dealt with once a meeting of those concerned could take place. It cannot be clarified if such a meeting took place.

Derry’s Callum Devine in action

Motorsport Ireland are not making an official comment on the matter, however, it seems they are awaiting a response from the Donegal Motor Club in relation to certain matters, which are not being revealed.

The Tarmac Rally Organisers Association (TROA), who oversee the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship (ITRC) haven’t as yet received any official communication on the matter.

Efforts to contact relevant personnel within the organising team have failed to generate a response.

The question has to be asked what is really going on and why the delay? Is there another a separate issue altogether or has something resurfaced that is stalling the finalisation of the Donegal International Rally results?

Motorsport Ireland is still without a chief executive officer since April 2021 last when after three years at the helm of both the RIAC (Royal Irish Automobile Club) and Motorsport Ireland, Leo Hassett departed to pursue other interests and other opportunities.

Meanwhile, Sunday’s Davagh Rally has been cancelled . A statement issued by the organising Magherafelt and District Motor Club said, “Due to a lack of entries a difficult club decision has been taken to cancel the Davagh Rally. With increased costs for this year the club had decided we were prepared to run at a loss but the loss at current numbers would have been too great.”