Motorsport: Devine facing intense pressure in bid for a stand-alone four-in-a-row in Donegal

Derry's Callum Devine (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) seeking a fourth successive victory in the Donegal International Rally. Pic: Martin Walsh.

Callum Devine's bid for a stand-alone four-in-a-row on this weekend's Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally will face intense pressure from many sources as the Derry driver also eyes up extending his seven-point advantage in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.

The Letterkenny-based event has a capacity entry as thousands of spectators flock to the north-west, which for many, is an annual pilgrimage in "the Hills".

Since his first ITRC victory on the 2021 Cork '20' International, Devine has racked up a total of 15 wins and is already the sixth most successful driver in the series. 

It's not that it has taken him just five years to achieve that feat, more so, the form he has shown, particularly onboard his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, a combination that seems seamless.

Currently, the Skoda seems to be the more popular mode of speed on the Irish terrain. 

Including Devine's example, there are six of the Czech marque in the starting top ten, but intriguingly, it is the presence of three Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 and a sole Ford Fiesta Rally2 that is most likely to increase the intensity levels over the twenty stages through to next Sunday afternoon.

Devine knows what to expect from his ITRC rivals; however, the presence of Dungannon native Kris Meeke in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 and Moira's Josh McErlean, who will steer an M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2, adds even more spice to the contest.

Meeke recently spent two days in Donegal with the Toyota outfit honing the Yaris for the vagaries of the Irish terrain and indeed the Donegal terrain. Victories with the Yaris in rounds of the Portuguese Rally Championship last year bring familiarity and the five-time World Rally Championship event winner will be expected to be at the cutting edge from the start.

Expectations also surround current M-Sport Ford World Rally driver McErlean.

Like Meeke, he's on his maiden outing in the north-west, where he's described the occasion as a “dream come true”.  He last competed in an Irish rally some twelve months ago when he won the Midland Rally by just half a second from Matt Edwards (Hyundai i20 Rally2). Today (Friday) will seem a long time since he drove a Peugeot 208 R2 as part of the Junior British Rally Championship on the Clonakilty-based West Cork Rally. 

Now in his second WR season with M-Sport in a Rally1 car, many will expect the County Down driver to deliver in the same way as Meeke. 

"I grew up standing on the hedges watching this rally. I’ve been there most years as a fan; to be competing on the event after all this time makes it even more special. There is nothing quite like Donegal; the atmosphere, the fans and the enthusiasm around the event are completely unique and I can’t wait to be part of it.” 

Of course he will enjoy the experience; nobody will begrudge him that. However, given he's competing at the pinnacle of the sport, he has to showcase his talent in the best way possible.

“The competition in Ireland is always incredibly strong, and Donegal is no different. The entry list is always packed with quality, and you know there are so many crews capable of fighting at the front.” 

Tellingly, he added: “There will naturally be some expectation around us going into the event, but honestly, I just want to enjoy the experience, the rally, the fans and being back competing on home soil again."

Donegal can be unpredictable too and it would be foolish to discount those outside the top three. Kilkenny's Eddie Doherty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) continues his upward progression and is closing on a first ITRC victory; Josh Moffett gave the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 its first and only Irish rally win, how the Monaghan driver's times compare with Meeke adds further interest. 

Donegal and Skoda pair David Kelly and Michael Boyle have both got off the mark with ITRC round wins in the last twelve months while Toyota pair Welsh ace Meirion Evans and Donegal's Eamonn Kelly, both In Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 cars won't be found wanting either. 

European Rally Championship regular Philip Allen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) and Tyrone's Cathan McCourt (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) are also capable of setting a good pace.

The trio of Aaron McIntyre (Toyota Starlet), Kevin Gallagher (Darrian T90 GTR) and Robert Duggan (Ford Escort) spearhead the Modified category.

In the Historics, reigning champion John O'Donnell (BMW M3) is the barometer for Dunmanway's Jason McSweeney (Ford Escort WRC) and Waterford's Ray Breen (Subaru Legacy RS). Today's first of six stages starts at 11.16am.

Weekend Diary:

Saturday: Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally, Letterkenny - 8.30am.

Sunday: Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally, Letterkenny - 10.00am.