Derry driver Callum Devine and co-driver Noel O'Sullivan kept their cool to secure a second successive Donegal International Rally victory.
Driving a Skoda Fabia Rally2 for the first time, Devine’s main intention was to stay within reach of early pacesetters Matt Edwards and Keith Cronin. When championship leader Cronin retired after a collision on stage five, Donegal looked set to be a straight fight between Edwards and Devine.
The two Irish Tarmac rivals traded times throughout Saturday's eight stages with Edwards holding onto a 16.2-second overnight lead. A down-on-power Ford Fiesta Rally2 cost Edwards some time at the start of Sunday's opener. Devine was putting the pressure on and before he knew it a second Donegal title was within his grasp. Edwards ran wide on Atlantic Drive and damaged his Fiesta’s front-left suspension.
Devine had his own issues when he spun on a hairpin and this reduced his lead ahead of the hard charging Meirion Evans in a Toyota Yaris Rally2. He kept his emotions in check to record a 17.4-second Donegal International Rally victory that propels him back up the 2024 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship's pecking order.
Top five standings
1 Devine / O’Sullivan (Skoda Fabia Rally2) 2:18:18.9s
2 Evans / Conway (Toyota Yaris Rally2) +17.4s
3 Kelly / O’Sullivan (Volkswagen Polo R5) +26.4
4 Edwards / Moynihan (Ford Fiesta Rally2) +36.8
5 Moffett / Hayes (Citroen C3 Rally2) +48.8