#fiestamovement :New 2010 Ford Fiesta R2 Rally Car launched

An all-new Ford Fiesta R2 rally car, based on the top-selling Ford Fiesta road car launched last year, was unveiled at the Rally d'Italia Sardegna this evening.

Designed to replace the hugely successful Fiesta ST rally car, the new vehicle is targeted at competitors in the Fiesta SportTrophy series around the globe, as well as in regional rally championships.

The Fiesta R2 will conform to the latest FIA regulations and satisfy strong customer demand for an exciting yet affordable point of entry into rallying. While the car will not compete in Sardinia, it will be driven as a course safety car ahead of the main entry by FST International Shootout winner Matthias Boon (BEL) and co-driver Massimiliano Bosi (ITA).The development bodyshell for the R2 project was revealed by M-Sport at the Autosport International Show in the UK in

January 2009.

As one of Europe’s biggest motorsport shows, the project generated great interest and excitement from potential competitors and the public alike. Work on the base design of the car, the result of successful engineering co-operation between M-Sport and Ford, is now almost complete and engineers are undertaking a comprehensive test programme in readiness for a proposed homologation date of 1 July 2009. The five-speed Fiesta R2 rally car is based on the Ford Fiesta Sport (Zetec S in the UK and Ireland) using the 1.6L Ti-Vct 120PS (1598cc) base engine as in regular production. It is built from a standard conversion kit developed by M-Sport.

The kit to convert the car to rally specification includes engine parts to increase the engine performance including pistons, conrods, camshafts, valve springs, injectors, airbox, air filter, spark plugs and a sump baffle kit. The gearbox has been replaced for a sequential shift unit with a limited slip differential, along with upgraded brakes and Reiger suspension. Beyond these specific items, the intention is for the car to use many standard components from the Ford Fiesta and other Ford road vehicles to reduce costs for the competitor. Standard conversion kits will be available from M-Sport or an appointed national sales outlet.

The knowledge gained from the world-title winning Ford Focus RS WRC has been transferred to the creation of the Fiesta R2 under the leadership of M-Sport’s Principal Engineer Chris Williams, who was also responsible for the success of the Fiesta ST, which sold in 27 different countries. Last month M-Sport announced the development of a Super 2000 Fiesta for competition at the sport's highest level. These two vehicles, the Super 2000 and the R2, will create a complete ladder of opportunity for rally competitors to graduate from grass roots level to WRC using Ford vehicles.

M-Sport Managing Director Malcolm Wilson said:“The development of this car has created a lot of excitement over the past few months and I’m delighted that we have now been able to unveil the Fiesta here in Sardinia. There’s no doubting that the R2 has large boots to fill: the GpN Fiesta ST is still achieving frequent class wins around the world and has finished as high as 25th overall in the WRC, an amazing feat for a small car.

The experience and knowledge that our engineers have gained with the ST has been key in developing the R2 into a more ‘sophisticated’ car, whilst it has inherited the basic strength and reliability that made the ST so popular – and all at a lower cost than other competing manufacturers.”Ford of Europe Motorsport Director Mark Deans said:"The continued commitment of M-Sport to its Fiesta SportTrophy series is great news and we are eager to see the new Fiesta in rallying. The road car has deservedly received huge acclaim since its launch last autumn and will provide the perfect base vehicle. I'm confident the R2 will play a key role as the ideal entry-level car.

The development of this car is a product of enthusiastic collaboration between Ford and M-Sport and, allied with the recently-announced Super 2000 Fiesta, offers a complete ladder of opportunity to guide ambitious and talented drivers from the sport's base level through to the very top in Ford vehicles. While Ford of Europe's principle motorsport activity remains the FIA World Rally Championship, we will do everything we can at a local level to support the Fiesta SportTrophy in individual markets and we wish M-Sport every success with their new Fiesta projects."

Fiesta R2 SpecificationDonor vehicle: Ford Fiesta 1.6 Sport / Zetec S. Model dated from September 2008 for purchase from any source.

Promotional price available from M-Sport. Engine: 1.6 Zetec 16V – 1598cc – Ti-VCT; 4 cylinders in line; DOHC; 16 valves; alloy cylinder head and block; variable cam timing. Power: 163 PS @ 7,500 rpmTorque: 182 Nm @ 5,700 rpm

Transmission: Five speed sequential gearbox developed by Sadev with plated limited slip differential and uprated driveshafts.

ECU developed by Pi with flat shift feature with full throttle closed loop control shift.Suspension: Reiger adjustable dampers with Eibach springs, spherical jointed top mounts front and rear. Front dampers adjustable for bump and rebound.

Standard rear beam with uprated mounts. 2-bolt clamped front upright. Adaptor pin mounted in uprights with spherical bearing connecting the lower arm. Five stud hub.Brakes: Gravel (front): 285 mm AP ventilated discs with four piston competition calipers. Asphalt (front): 310 mm AP ventilated discs with four piston competition calipers.

Rear: 280 mm AP ventilated discs with single piston calipers.Hydraulic handbrake.Steering: Electric power-assisted steering.Wheels: Gravel: OZ 6”x15” GravelAsphalt: OZ 6.5”x16” AsphaltBodyshell: Welded T45 steel multipoint rollcage. Optimised seat position and integrated dash bar.

Jacking points optional and seam welding is permitted.Electronics: Bespoke instrument cluster by Visteon in the same style as the standard series cluster.Dimensions: Length: 3953mm. Width: 1722mm. Height: 1481mm. Wheelbase: 2490mm. Weight: 1030kg.

Great result for Gallagher at WRC Jordan

Image: World Rally Team Ireland

By Neil McDaid
Jordan, April 27, 2008 -- Ireland’s Shaun Gallagher gets his first ever WRC rally podium finish in the second round of the 2008 J-WRC Championship.
This is a fantastic result for this Letterkenny, Co Donegal native who has been working hard to make a name for himself after winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2007. His 2008 campaign got off to a rough start when he fell victim to a viral infection at the first round of the championship, Rally Mexico. It severely hampered his ability but, nonetheless, he managed to muster up a sixth place finish.
A new and spectacular addition to the WRC calendar for 2008, Rally Jordan would not only test driver’s ability to get through the fast and technical stages, but also their personal endurance to keep going through the incredible desert heat. The rally would set up headquarters some 30 miles south of Jordan’s capital Amman, in the spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes of the Dead Sea, the lowest land point on earth.
Rallying under the sponsorship of Tommy Mullen’s “World Rally Team Ireland” Gallagher would get a change of navigator for Rally Jordan. He would now be teamed up with the vastly experienced Paul Kiely from Sligo. Paul helped guide Eugene Donnelly to many a rally victory, along with several Irish Rally Championships to boot; his experience would surly help Gallagher achieve his goals.
After the first day of competition the Irish duo were holding their own despite the grueling heat and some niggling technical problems. "It's very physically demanding, the heat saps every bit of energy from your body. I am just totally focused on keeping the car on the road. It is tough going, but I am really getting a feel for the car,” said Gallagher.
Into day-two their Citroën C2 S1600 now began to develop gearbox problems further adding to the challenge for the Irish team. Nonetheless, the team would push on in an effort to capture as many coveted championship points as possible.
Heading into day three Gallagher and Kiely were holding down fourth overall despite still suffering gearbox problems. The team had all but given up the ghost of catching J-WRC rally leader Patrick Sandell and focused their attention on third. As fate would have it, rally leader Sandell would go off the road on SS17 retiring him from the event. The Citroen of Frenchman Sebastien Ogier would move to first. Jaan Molder would move to second while Gallagher would find himself in a podium position in third. On the penultimate stage, SS20, with pressure from Gallaher for second, Molder made a costly mistake and drove his Suzuki Swift S1600 off the road and retired.
In the end Sebastien Ogier would claim the victory with an elated Shaun Gallagher in second, “The last stage was amazing - the windows wouldn’t go up at the start of the stage so we just had to go. Now we’re covered in dust and it was really hard to see the road for 40 kilometres! It was such a tough event and testing in so many ways, I can’t believe it after the gearbox problems we’ve had all weekend. It’s unreal! This morning I said to [co-driver] Paul to forget about the gearbox and just drive, and it worked! I hope to have a smooth run in Sardinia and get some more good points.”
This victory now puts the Irish World Rally Team second overall in the championship, a great position heading in to round three of this six round championship. Gallagher would go on to say, “I am delighted to have finished in second place. It was a tough, hard rally and I will be looking forward to getting back to the temperatures of Letterkenny in Donegal!” After the rally, CEO of World Rally Team Ireland, Tommy Mullen, said the result was a testament to the incredible talents of a young and ambitious rally team. “Shaun Gallagher & Paul Kiely did Ireland proud out here in Jordan. We were very worried with the mechanical problems in the gearbox and I did not think we were going to make it to the finish of the rally. “

R.I.P Colin McRae 1968-2007

www.colinmcrae.com

Sebastien Loeb Tames the Hills Of Donegal

Daniel Elena and Sebastien Loeb
celebrate their first rally victory in Ireland. Photo Neil McDaid

By Neil McDaid

Letterkenny, Ireland, June 17, 2007. Three time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb takes the overall victory in the 36th running of the Donegal International Rally.
In 2006, the Donegal Motor Club built a frenzy of sorts when they lured WRC Champion Colin McRae out of semi-retirement to compete in a Metro 6R4. With the additional attraction of the WRC Mitsubishi Works cars on the start line the event was a great success. After the event many thought the club would be hard pressed to top the success of the 2006 rally. Roll on to 2007. With Ireland securing its first-ever round of the World Rally Championship in Sligo this coming November, top WRC teams began scrambling to get some experience on the Irish roads.
With two time WRC Champion Marcus Gronholm, who is also the most successful Finnish driver in the history of the WRC, showing up at the Galway Rally in February rumors and speculations were running wild as to who might show up in the hills of Donegal in June. Just two weeks before the start of the rally the Donegal Motor Club announced that they had confirmation from Citron WRC team boss Guy Frequelin that he would enter their 07 WRC Citron C4 in the event and it would be piloted by ace driver Sebastien Loeb. With British Rally Champion Mark Higgins, along with 30 WRC cars among the 200 cars entered, rally fans flocking to Donegal were in for a great weekend of action on some of the most unique tarmac stages in the world.

The rally would get underway Friday with the first stage taking place just outside of Letterkenny. In the many years I have attended this rally, I cannot recall ever seeing such a large crowd on the Friday stages. Obviously, they were all there to get an early peek at Loeb.
SS1, Breenagh, would see Mark Higgins, along with local co-driver Rory Kennedy, master the wet conditions setting the fastest time for the stage. Seventeen year old Norwegian driver Andreas Mikkelsen, known on the Irish Tarmac Championship as “The Special One,” would slot his WRC Ford Focus into second. Amazingly, the Norwegian teenager was just four seconds off the pace of Higgins, while also edging out Eugene Donnelly who had to settle for third.
Northern Ireland driver Andrew Nesbitt, who has won the Donegal a record five times and is the defending champion, would not make it through SS2, Cark Mountain. His McKinstry Motorsports Subaru S10 would stop with suspected electrical problems after cresting a few big jumps. Too bad, as we were now left wondering how the master of the Donegal Rally would have faired again the boss, Loeb. Higgins would maintain the pace through the first three stages of day one.

The Citron service crew would look to improve the set-up on Loeb's C4 @ the first service in Letterkenny on Friday. Photo Neil McDaid

Heading into the first service of the rally in Letterkenny, the early leader board would show Higgins, Loeb and then Eugene Donnelly in third.
Team Citron and Loeb made it perfectly clear in several TV interviews that their goal for the rally was to gain experience for Rally Ireland; it was not a priority to win the event.
Neither Loeb nor Team Citron had ever competed in Ireland and were in need of some experience on the very unique tarmac stages.
They would quickly realize that the Irish stages were, in Sebastien’s own words, “fast, narrow and bumpy, with this very special type of tarmac.” In their four hot runs on the shake down stage on Thursday they determined that they did not have a suspension set up to deal with the bumpy Irish stages. It was obvious by Loeb’s pace on the first few stages on Friday that they were not totally confident with how the car was handling.
During the first service, Loeb’s C4 would get yet another new set of suspension in an ongoing effort by the service crew to find the correct set-up for the conditions at hand. The Citron mechanics would also slip in a new gearbox in record time.

The teams would go out and repeat the first three stages of the day. Conditions would continue to worsen as the day rolled on. Heavy down pours began to leave large puddles on the stages. Nonetheless Higgins would continue to set the pace over SS4-5. Loeb would eventually show form by taking his first stage win on SS6, Mongorry, bettering Higgins by just two seconds.
By the end of day one Mark Higgins, who is currently the points leader in the 07 Irish Tarmac Championship, would be delighted to have a 37-second lead over Loeb, not to mention setting faster stage times over the World Champion. Continuing a great drive, Andreas Mikkelsen would sit comfortably in third.

A massive drive from Seamus Leonard secures the GPN victory and 6th overall. Photo Neil McDaid

With a guarded promise from RTE of clearing skies day two would take teams, and the ever increasing throng of spectators, up onto the Fanad Peninsula. Early drama would come courtesy of Andreas Mikkelsen on SS7, Fanad Head. Reports were coming over the rally radio that there was a car off and no sign of the crew. Eventually, Mikkelsen and co-driver Ola Floene would clamber up to the road side and display the OK board. Their Ford Focus WRC was lodged deep in the Fanad scenery and sustained enough damage that it could not continue.

Reportedly, Loeb’s engineers had come up with a suspension set-up during the day Friday that was already fitted in Loeb’s car. And so it would be the beginning of some blistering times from the reigning WRC Champion; he was fastest by 15 seconds over Fanad Head.
There were several stages on the Donegal that everyone expected Loeb to excel on. The second stage on Saturday, SS 8 Knockalla, was definitely one of them. Spectators in small RVs had begun to claim prime viewing spots on the mountain some 24 hrs before the stage was due to run. Although the road up over Knockalla is two lanes wide with smooth fast tar, the first seven miles of the stage can be an extremely fast, hair raising adrenaline rush to say the least. Competitors would start by charging up through the mountain’s hairpin turns from the Portsalon side. Then they would go down a long, twisty high speed decent with several deadly drop offs that were just waiting for the slightest mistake by the drivers.

Coming out of Friday with the overall lead, Mark Higgins was now running first on the road on the early Saturday stages. He would attack hard over Knockalla, committing fully to the notes he was receiving from navigator Rory Kennedy. Higgins would push his Pirelli sponsored Subaru a little too hard over the big jump at Oughterlin Chapel sending the car high in the air and taking a hard hit on the landing. The impact damaged a front rim that eventually caused a flat. By the time Loeb completed the stage and stopped the clocks on SS8, the forty-second lead that Higgins had the night before had now diminished to just two seconds. Loeb was definitely finding his form.

Eugene Donnelly struggles on Friday to stay on the pace. Photo Neil McDaid

It had been a disappointing first day for Ireland’s reigning Tarmac Champion and two-time winner of the Donegal, Eugene Donnelly. The Derry man struggled Friday with neck pain from an old injury and some mechanical issues with the gear box. He just about managed to stay within the top five. Feeling somewhat better Saturday, Eugene would start clawing back some time on Kevin Lynch who had moved his WRC Ford Focus into third with the early departure of Mikkelsen in Fanad.
By the second service in Milford, which was close to the mid point in the rally, Loeb had taken command of the overall lead by 10 seconds over Mark Higgins. Kevin Lynch was holding off Donnelly for third by the narrowest margin while Donegal driver Paul Harris was having a great run in his hired WRC Corolla in fifth.
The Group N battle was firmly in the hands of Seamus Leonard [Omagh] in his newly prepared Mitsubishi. Colm Murphy, who had been running second to Leonard throughout the stages, rolled his Subaru STI on Knockalla. This moved Gary Jennings to second; Stuart Darcy would make it a 1-2-3 for Mitsubishi. The national rally, which really should have been called the MK11 Rally, would see a great battle between English driver Phil Collins and local driver Brian Brogan. Unfortunately, Brogan would have a big off a few stages later ending his charge.
Through the remaining six stages of day two, Loeb would continue to gain confidence on the narrow Donegal roads. He opened up a forty second lead over Higgins by the end of the day.
Day three. With three stages being run twice to make up the final six stages of the rally, one needs to plan on either Glen Village or Atlantic Drive. With thousands of cars following the action traveling on the roads between stages was nearly impossible, so Glen it was. Although we could have witnessed Loeb and the others at a higher rate of speed tearing over Atlantic Drive, the atmosphere in Glen is hard to pass up. Maybe it’s because it is the last resemblance of the great, town stages that used to a big part of the Donegal Rally. For this one day in the year thousands descend on this sleepy little village with about 8-10 houses, and one pub, for the infamous High Glen Stage.

Wall to wall rally fans lines the streets of Glen village Sunday. Photo Neil McDaid

SS17-20 would pass through Glen and on both occasions Loeb would be untouchable. On his second run through Glen he was 10 seconds faster over his nearest rival. Eugene Donnelly would find his form on SS19, Atlantic Drive, matching times with Loeb. Donnelly was elated, as he is himself a big Loeb fan.
Kevin Lynch’s rally would come a sunder on the penultimate stage SS21 Port Lake. Lynch would hit a rock, puncture a wheel and damage his steering rack ending his rally. Donnelly suffered a loss of power on Port Lake, but managed to nurse the Subaru back to service.
Loeb came to Donegal with a focus on testing for Rally Ireland, he left satisfied that his Citron team had learned a lot about the challenges they will face in November. As Loeb pulled his Citron on to the finish ramp in Letterkenny to claim victory you could clearly see he was in awe at the reception he received from the enthusiastic Irish rally fans that lined his way.

Loeb would go on to say that he loved taking part in the rally. “We didn’t have the pressure of the world championships and the Irish have a strong rally culture. There was a massive crowd. It’s not like some of the rallies, during some trips between stages, you’re stopped at the lights, with people in the car next to you looking down at you and the car as if to say who’s the idiot in the car covered in stickers. No, here the public really are connoisseurs. The atmosphere is very similar to Le Mans. There were spectators camped everywhere in all imaginable spots. Some were even camping in the town centre. We could smell the barbeques, hear the modified cars and see fountains of beer! It was such a party! I’m sure we’ll see the same atmosphere in November.”
As a added bonus for future winners of the Donegal rally, their names will now be added to the Jim Callaghan Memorial Trophy alongside that of Sebastien Loeb who, quite possibly, could become the greatest rally driver of all time. Two minutes a drift of Loeb, Mark Higgins and Rory Kennedy would happily claim second, which secured them maximum Irish Tarmac Championship points. Eugene Donnelly, just happy to be there, claimed third with the departure of Kevin Lynch. Seamus Leonard had a great drive setting the fastest time on every stage to claim the Group N victory.
After starting the rally for the past 23 years and not finishing the event one time, Phil Collins not only finished the rally but also claimed top honors in his MK11 Escort in the national rally. Of the 16 cars competing in the Historic Class, Richard Hall would take his beautiful Ford Escort home in first.
Based on the interest in this year’s Donegal Rally, with only one WRC star in attendance, one can only imagine the amount of spectators that will line the ditches during Rally Ireland in November.

STPR 2007

Pinker puts Jack Daniels Back on the
Top Shelf
By Neil McDaid
Wellsboro, PA. June 2, 2007. Australian Andrew Pinker, along with his English co-driver Robbie Durant, powered their Jack Daniels sponsored Subaru STI to victory in round five of the 2007 Rally America Championship. This victory pushes Pinker to the top of the championship points standings and also qualifies him for a place in the second running of the rally at the ESPN X-Games in L.A. this August.
The Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally or, as it’s known to most, STPR is now in its 31st year. It is definitely one of the fastest gravel rallies run in the USA. With its many long straights, speeds can get up in access of 100mph. Throw in multiple tricky hairpin turns along the tree lined stages and the occasional thunder shower, it generally makes for a challenging, and at times, a treacherous rally. The surface varies between hard packed clay surfaces that can become very slick when wet to sections of small to medium stones that roll like marbles under the tires.

Although the rally did not officially start until Saturday, standing on the practice stage on Friday evening one would be hard pressed to tell it from an actual competitive stage. The pace was ballistic.
There is a slight crest at the end of the practice stage where there have been some hairy moments in the past. Ken Block, with co-driver Alex Gelsomino, had a narrow escape there in 2005, when they landed in the middle of a swamp after taking the jump at full tilt. They were lucky to land on their wheels not their roof.

Close call for Block and Gelsomino on the shake down stage, as they have a Monster of a wreck. [Photo/ Neil McDaid].

This year the crew of Car #43 would not make it as far as the jump. A little over a mile into the practice stage they would slid wide and connect hard with a large tree, resulting in heavy damage to their open class Factory team Subaru. Alex would suffer a mild concussion; Ken was shaken but unharmed. Making every effort to preserve his slight lead in the Rally America Championship, Subaru USA Rally team opted to send to Vermont for the back up car . Because of Alex’s concussion, Block would also have to locate another co-driver to get back into the rally.
Step up veteran US Rally Champion Driver, and sometimes co-driver, and also multiple winner of STPR, John Buffum. With a great effort by the Subaru service crew that ran into the wee hours, Block and Buffum were ready to roll from the green in Wellsboro on Saturday morning.

Down from previous years, some 52 teams were scheduled to start the rally. Despite the lower entry the quality of equipment had improved greatly over prior years, STPR would also enjoy one of the largest number of spectators ever.
The action got going on SS1, “Asaph Run.” Andrew Pinker, behind the wheel of his black Subaru STI, would throw down the early marker. Running first on the road, he set the fastest time for the stage with Canadians Antoine L'Estage, in the Hyundai, in second and Andrew Comrie-Picard flying the Mitsubishi colors, at full of rack through the spactator area in third.

Seamus Burke, with Eddie Fries on the notes, would lead the attack for the Irish in their Evo 8, starting seventh on the road. Unfortunately for Burke, about half way through the first stage he would catch Otis Dimiters who had lost time due to a slight off. Battling the dust and stones from Dimiters, Seamus could only manage tenth quickest over the 9.8 mile stage. He would also suffer a severely cracked windscreen from the rocks.

Charlie Donnelly and Noel Gallagher would set fastest time for the Irish on SS1, posting a time good enough for ninth overall. Despite the great effort by the Subaru service team throughout the night, fuel problems would force the retirement of Ken Block and John Buffum on SS2.
Without question the most popular stage for spectators at STPR is the “Subaru Water Splash.” In the past this stage had been run as the first stage, but this year the organizers would change it to SS4. It gets its name from the dramatic flying finish in the middle of a small river which has been notorious over the years for ending the event early for some.
The large number of spectators in attendance at the Subaru Water Splash were not disappointed with the nonstop action. Antoine L'Estage would set the fastest time by some four seconds over Andrew Pinker. Seamus Burke would set the sixth fastest time but would have a few tense moments after crossing the water as he struggled to keep his partially drown Mitsubishi running.
With 4 of the 10 scheduled stages complete, teams would return to Wellsboro for the lunch

break and the longest service of the day.

Donnelly takes the victory in the Sherwood Forest rally, before it would all come to a suddent stop on SS9.[Photo/ NeilMcDaid]

In conjunction with the main Rally America national event, two regional rallies are also run on the same stages. Competitors can opt to enter one or all three events. Stages 1-4 would make up the Sherwood Forest Rally. Charlie Donnelly and Noel Gallagher would take the top honors. Taking second overall would be fellow Irish driver Paddy Brennan with Barry McCann. It would be the highlight for the Irish at STPR as trouble loomed ahead.
Under heavy skies, the competitors would make the long transit to SS5 and the beginning of the evening section of the rally.
SS5 “Twelve to Lebo 1” would be the first stage victory by the defending Rally America Champion, Travis Pastrana, who had struggled to get on the pace all day. Pastrana had just returned from Ireland where he took first place in the motorcycle technical freestyle competition in the Red Bull X-Fighters Tour, which was held in front of 35,000 at Slane Castle.
Ramana Lagemann would take his second stage of the day setting the fastest time on SS6 “Francis Lee 1.” Andrew Pinker would take second and the Donegal duo of Burke and Fries would find their pace to take third. Pastrana would capture fourth, after a close encounter with a

ditch.

"Don't cut".Travis cuts a little to much on ss6,

Paddy Brennan and Shane McCann would approach our location about 8 miles into SS6, with smoke billowing from the car from a suspected blown turbo. To avoid further damage, Paddy pulled his Subaru aside and retired from the event.
SS7 would be canceled due to spectators problems. At the final service of the day, with three stages remaining, Andrew Pinker had a firm hold on the overall lead with a 17 second advantage over Ramana Lagemann. Pastrana would hold third and Seamus Burke was holding down fourth.
Defending STPR Champion Matt Iorio would not come out of the last service. A mishap in fuel filling earlier in the day left Iorio battling gasoline fumes in the cockpit and ultimately forced them to retire with a damaged transmission.

Lagemann, holds down second, to seal his spot in the X-GAMES [Photo/ NeilMcDaid]

SS8, “Twelve to Lebo 2” would see Lagemann putting pressure on Pinker setting the fastest time by a mere 2 seconds.

SS9 “ Francis Lee 1” would prove to be a disaster for the remaining Irish drivers in the hunt. Two miles into the 10 mile stage, Seamus Burke would clip something on the road and puncture a front wheel. Rather than loosing the three minutes it would take to change the wheel, Burke would drive the remain 8 miles on the rim. By the end of the stage the flapping tire shred and the disintegrating rim tore the front fender [wing] to pieces. Burke would be 2:38 off the pace of Andrew Pinker, who set the fastest time for the stage.

For Charlie Donnelly and Noel Gallagher their rally would come to a sudden and spectacular end on stage 9. “We slid wide just before we wrecked,” said Donnelly. “I think we must have damaged a rear control arm. The car just became uncontrollable and we went off. I think we rolled three times; we were lucky to walk away.”

Charlie had a bit of a stiff neck but apart from a bit of bruised pride, he and Noel were just glad to be walking around. For the car, that might be a different story as it sustained heavy damage.
There are two major rally championships in the USA; Rally America and the United States Rally Championship. Charlie set out in ‘07 to focus on the United States Rally Championship and, up until this point, things were going according to plan. He is still currently well ahead in the points. This was his first and only planned rally in the Rally America series. Hopefully the car is repairable and Charlie can get back on track for the championship.

The final stage of the rally was also canceled due to continued spectators issues. In the end it would be all Andrew Pinker, collecting his second outright victory of the year, which moved him to the top in the Rally America Championship. Ramana Lagemann was second and Travis Pastrana third overall. Seamus Burke and Eddie Fries would have to settle for fifth overall after the puncture on SS9. They were also the only surviving Irish team left in the event.

Seamus Burke and Eddie Fries approch the water crossing on SS4[Photo/ Neil McDaid ]

After STPR, the nine drivers expected to secure an X-Games invitation are: Travis Pastrana, Ken Block, Colin McRae -- the three medalists from last year's race -- and Tanner Foust, Andrew Pinker, Matt Iorio, Paul Choiniere, Ramana Lagemann and Andrew Comrie-Picard. All but Pinker competed at last summer's X-Games.Round six of the Rally America series moves to the northeast in July for the New England Forest Rally, formally known as The Maine Rally. One more top finishing driver is expected to earn a last-chance invitation which will be decided in Maine. Can Seamus Burke step up and grab a place in the X-Games to represent the Irish? Rally America also plans to extend two more special invitations but there are no indications yet as to who those final drivers might be.

Between now and Maine we are off to the Donegal International Rally. The organizers are expecting to see the largest turnout in the rally’s history. There’s not a bed or a shed available for miles. All this is due to the entry of WRC Champion Sebastian Loeb, who will come to Donegal to test for Ireland’s first WRC event. Look for a full report in the coming weeks.

David Coultard makes a flying visit to Donegal

Picture shows the Reid Motorsport Subaru S12 Rally Car on Atlantic Drive Rally stage at Downings, Co. Donegal with, from left:
Danny Gormley, Clerk of the Course Shell Donegal International Rally.David Coulthard, Red Bull Racing Formula 1 Grand Prix driver.Damian Crawford, Chairman Donegal Motor Club.Liam Reid, Managing Director, Reid Transport Ltd Ballymena.Eugene Donnelly, Irish Tarmac Rally Champion 2006.

FLYING SCOT MAKES FLYING VISIT TO FAMOUS DRIVE

Thursday, 07 June 2007
F1 superstar driver David Coulthard, lead driver in the Red Bull Racing Formula One racing team, paid a flying visit to Donegal last weekend. The multiple Grand Prix winner stopped off en route to the Canadian Grand Prix to meet with the Reid Motorsport Rally team and multiple Donegal Rally winner Eugene Donnelly.



Coulthard was also keen to view the famous Atlantic Drive rally stage, which skirts the northern coast of Donegal in a spectacular series of natural twists and turns that have tested the worlds best rally drivers for over 30 years.Having heard so much about it, he was suitably impressed.

As one onlooker put it “He should be – if you go off the road here the next stop IS Canada”. The Shell Donegal Rally will once again use “the Drive” as its finale on Sunday 17th June, where setting fastest time is a special prize between the competitors.Coulthard also met the Donegal Rally organisers, who briefed him on the event and congratulated him on his strong GP drives this season.

Eugene Donnelly and Liam Reid gave him a rundown on the technology of the rally car, and in no time at all the two drivers were under the bonnet - pointing, asking, explaining – just like two drivers anywhere looking over a new car.

Except these are more than just two drivers. One a multiple Grand Prix winner; the other a multiple International Rally winner. Revered in their respective fields and linked in the common quest to be the fastest. And drawn together on the Atlantic drive in the run up to the Donegal Rally. With triple World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb heading the entry for the start on June 15th next, it’s already a month to remember in Donegal.

Source Donegal Motor Club www.donegalinternationalrally.com

Charlie Collins gets the inside scoop from Eugene on his engine fire in the Donegal International Rally 2006

Eugene Donnelly joins forces with Reid Motorsport

It was announced today that a deal has been struck between brothers Liam and Shaun Reid of Reid Motorsport and current Irish Tarmac And National Champions Eugene and Charlie Donnelly to join the Reid Motorsport Team.

The Reid Motorsport team was set up at the beginning of this year with big name sponsors like Kerr’s Tyres, BF Goodrich, P&O Irish Sea and Reid Transport, the back bone of The Reid Group Companies.

There were smiles all round as the announcement was made at the Reid Transport head offices in the Co Antrim village of Cloughmills outside Ballymena. Managing director of Reid Transport and the main instigator of the Reid Motorsport team, Liam Reid announced the exciting news saying. “This is a deal I hope will combine the experience and enthusiasm needed to move forward towards clinching this years Tarmac championship and a successful outing on the much anticipated WRC arrival of Rally Ireland.” Members of the Reid Motorsport Team welcomed the Donnelly Brothers to what has now become a four car rally team.

Eugene Donnelly on the attack in Donegal International Rally 2006

Tarmac champion Eugene Donnelly confirmed the good news adding. “This is a dream come true for Charlie and I as we have worked so hard now for many years to get a deal like this to come our way, it gives us an opportunity to relax from the pressure of the day to day roles of running and managing all the financial affairs and expenses involved in competing at this level.

Things will obviously change in some respects but on the whole we are really excited about what’s happening.” Derek Mc Geehan and his team will continue to work on the Subaru WRC as both Liam and Eugene feel his experience and meticulous attention to detail will be all important in achieving the team’s goals.

On a sadder note the Donnelly brothers will be losing long time sponsors, some of whom they have been working with for many years like Kumho Tyres, Modern Tyre Services, Esker Bus & Coach, KVC Manufacturing Ltd and Shanette Shed Centre, all of whom have provided financial support and assistance over the years resulting in many rally and championship wins which was and is very much appreciated. Also we would like to thank all our tried and trusted fans for there continued support and encouragement over the years and ask them “to continue by putting all that belief and energy behind us as we move forward to a new era and look forward to a long and successful winning relationship with the Reid Motorsport Team.”

Loeb to enter Donegal International Rally 07

Picture/Neil McDaid

Donegal, Ireland. Three time World Rally Champion, Sebastien Loeb will tackle the classic tarmac stages of the 2007 Donegal International Rally in June. Loeb and Citron will use Donegal as a test for Ireland’s first WRC rally to be held in November.