There are some significant changes to the 2019 Joule Donegal International Rally, with a capacity field of 161 crews set to tackle the Donegal tarmac.
World rally driver Craig Breen has been confirmed on a list headed by three-in-a-row champion Manus Kelly in a Hyundai i20 R5.
Donagh Kelly, Declan Boyle, Garry Jennings and Sam Moffett are among those who will be in world rally machinery for Donegal.
Once again, the Joule Donegal International Rally will be run over three days – with some stings in the tail this time.
Friday will see the crews leave the An Grianan Theatre as they set out to complete 6 stages in the Buncrana, Burt and Manorcunningham area, service will be based in Letterkenny.
“A lot of the newer drivers wouldn’t have done those stages,” Clerk of the Course Eamonn McGee told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.
“We have run those stages before, in 2014 for the Harvest.
The Historic Rally will run behind the main field for all of the Saturday and Sunday stages
Saturday has eight classic stages on the menu, with names such as Gartan, High Glen, Knockalla and Carnhill to stir the emotions and whet the appetite of even the most seasoned of Donegal Rally competitors.
The traditional Sunday stages of Fanad and Atlantic Drive are joined by another classic from yesteryear Port Lake, these three stages run twice really encapsulate the true challenge of the Donegal stages.
Centralised service for all crews on Saturday and Sunday is in Milford.
McGee said: “We have jigged it about a wee bit. People would be used to going to Knockalla on the Saturday morning, a big stage. They set the pace on Knockalla. Now, they have some tricky stages before Knockalla.
“Sunday is a change, too. We’re finishing in Port Lake. It’s a tricky stage and we all know what Port Lake can throw up.
“The change makes them rewrite the notes and they have to start from scratch.”
| 1 | Manus Kelly | Donall Barrett | Glenswilly | Hyundai i20 R5 | 5 |
| 2 | Craig Breen | Paul Nagle | Andorra | 5 | |
| 3 | Donagh Kelly | Conor Foley | Frosses | Ford Focus WRC | 7 |
| 4 | Declan Boyle | Brian Boyle | Leitirmacaward | Ford Fiesta WRC | 7 |
| 5 | Garry Jennings | Rory Kennedy | Kesh | Subaru Impreza WRC | 7 |
| 6 | Sam Moffett | James Fulton | Monaghan | Ford Fiesta WRC | 7 |
| 7 | Alastair Fisher | Gordon Noble | Fermanagh | Ford Fiesta R5 | 5 |
| 8 | Josh Moffett | Keith Moriarty | Monaghan | Ford Fiesta R5 | 5 |
| 9 | Desi Henry | Paddy Robinson | Antrim | Ford Fiesta WRC | 7 |
| 10 | Callum Devine | Brian Hoy | Derry | Ford Fiesta R5 | 5 |
| 11 | Joesph McGonigle | Ciaran Geaney | Muff | Ford Fiesta WRC | 7 |
| 12 | Seamus Leonard | Paul McLaughlin | Tyrone | Ford Focus WRC | 7 |
| 14 | Niall Maguire | James O Reilly | Monaghan | Subaru Impreza WRC | 7 |
| 15 | Cathan McCourt | Barry McNulty | Tyrone | Subaru Impreza WRC | 7 |
| 16 | Eugene Donnelly | Brian Kirwan | Fermanagh | Proton IRIZ R5 | 5 |
| 17 | Merion Evans | Jonathan Jackson | Wales | Hyundai i20 R5 | 5 |
| 18 | Ian Barrett | Paul McGee | Kildare | Darrian T90 | 14 |
| 19 | Kevin Eves | Chris Melly | Pettigo | Toyota Corolla | 14 |
| 20 | Damian Tourish | Domhnall McAlaney | Cloghan | Ford Excort Mk2 | 14 |
| 21 | Kevin Gallagher | Gerard Calaghan | Rathmullan | Darrian T90 GTR | 14 |
| 22 | James Stafford | Jeffrey Case | Wexford | Darrian T90 | 14 |
| 23 | Declan Gallagher | Derek Heena | Ardara | Toyota Starlet | 14 |
| 24 | Ryan Loughran | Gareth Doherty | Tyrone | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 |
| 25 | Gary Kiernan | Ryan Moore | Cavan | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 |
| 26 | David Bogie | John Rowan | Antrim | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 |
| 27 | Damien Gallagher | Mac Walsh | Letterkenny | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 |
| 28 | Brian Brogan | Damien McGettigan | Letterkenny | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 |
| 29 | Damien Toner | Michael Coady | Armagh | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 |
| 30 | Gary McPhillips | Monaghan | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 | |
| 31 | Jonathan Pringle | Paul Sheridan | Cavan | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 |
| 32 | Frank Kelly | Michael Coady | Tyrone | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 |
| 33 | Paul Reid | Karl Reid | Letterkenny | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 |
| 34 | Stuart Darcy | JJ Cremin | Ballintra | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 |
| 35 | JF Shovelin | Bruckless | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 | |
| 36 | Barry Meade | Dean O Sullivan | Cork | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 |
| 37 | Martin McGee | Johnny McGee | Milford | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 |
| 38 | Aidan Wray | Kieran McGrath | Castlefin | Mitsubishi Evo 10 | 4 |
| 39 | Pauric Duffy | Monaghan | Ford Fiesta R5 | 5 | |
| 40 | PJ McDermott | Niall Burns | Burt | Subaru Impreza WRC | 7 |
| 41 | Stuart Biggerstaff | Anthony Nestor | Down | Subaru Impreza WRC | 7 |
| 42 | Declan McCroary | Stephen O Hanlon | Strabane | Subaru Impreza WRC | 7 |
| 43 | Ken Block | Alex Gelsomino | USA | Escort Cosworth | 20 |
| 44 | Wesley Patterson | Johnny Baird | Down | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 |
| 45 | John Bonner | Dungloe | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 | |
| 46 | Phil Collins | Darragh Mullen | UK | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 |
| 47 | David Condell | Paul Kelly | Carlow | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 |
| 48 | Vivian Hamill | Tyrone | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 | |
| 49 | Kevin O Donoughue | Timmy Kelly | Kerry | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 |
| 50 | Johno Doogan | Ciaran Marron | Monaghan | Ford Escort Mk2 | 14 |
