Ian Barrett and Paul McGee are toasting glory in the National Rally at the 2018 Joule Donegal International Rally.
Barrett and McGee led the way all through Saturday and Sunday in the Darrian T90 GTR and set some blistering times along the way.
Barrett is the CEO of the rally sponsors, Joule, but noted how he had taken a side-step from that role to focus on competing this weekend. It proved a wise move.
With Milford-based Garda Sergeant McGee, an experienced navigator, on the pace notes, Barrett staved off the challenge of Donegal’s Kevin Gallagher, in another Darrian T90.
Gallagher had the push on for Sunday, but Barrett and McGee had 27.3
Gallagher and Noel O’Sullivan took seven seconds off Saturday’s 33.8 second advantage on the first loop of Fanad and chopped another four on Atlantic Drive but at service it was Barrett and McGee who led by 27.9 seconds.
After Friday, Finn Valley man Damien Tourish – with Domhnall McAlaney riding shotgun – had the lead, by just 0.3 seconds.
But a mechanical problem meant they failed to start on Saturday. From there, Barrett and McGee had command.
They did have a hairy moment in a chicane on Saturday evening, but steadied the ship on Sunday.
