Regulations for the 2022 Donegal International Rally have been released ahead of its first running in three years. Donegal Motor Club’s regulations for the three-day event gave us an early indication of what to expect from June’s Donegal International Rally.
At 301 kilometres, Donegal’s 20 stages will provide more competitive kilometres than any of the World Rally Championship’s opening three rounds this year. Coastal classics Knockalla, Fanad Head, and Atlantic Drive ensure Donegal’s world-class quantity is equally matched by its quality.
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The Donegal International Rally will have a maximum starting field of 160 international and national cars. Going by the demand for Irish Tarmac Rally Championship events in 2022, a full entry can be expected for Ireland’s biggest rally of the year.
A further 25 historic cars can start on Saturday, while another 25 junior crews can start the rally’s third and final leg on Sunday.
The entry fee for mainfield crews is 1600 euros while historic and junior competitors will have to pay 895 euros and 595 euros respectively.
Donegal will be the first international rally in Ireland to allow right-hand-drive R5 and Rally2 cars to battle for the overall rally win. The results will show international and national crews combined.
Donegal’s regulations also provide the first mention of National, Historic, and Junior Rally Cups which were introduced following the amalgamation of international and national categories.
The Donegal International Rally will commence with a ceremonial start in Letterkenny at 1900 on Thursday 16 June. Six stages on Friday between Letterkenny and Derry kicks off the competitive action.
Saturday’s eight stages are made up of three loops featuring Carnhill, Fanad Head, and Knockalla. It is the first time since 2012 that Fanad Head will run on the rally’s second day.
Gartan has effectively swapped places with Fanad to run alongside High Glen and Atlantic Drive on Donegal’s final day.
The Donegal International Rally’s winning crew will receive The Manus Kelly Memorial Award which has been added in honour of the three-time Donegal Rally winner.
Donegal will be the fifth round of the 2022 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. Two early rally wins has given Josh Moffett a 21-point cushion at the top of the standings. Three points separate Callum Devine, Meirion Evans, and Alastair Fisher who hold the three positions behind Moffett.
2022 Donegal International Rally itinerary
Friday
SS1 Dooish Hill 1 (15.37 km) // 11:53
SS2 An Grianan 1 (11.14 km) // 12:23
SS3 Mouldy Hill 1 (12.99 km) // 13:00
SS4 Dooish Hill 2 (15.37 km) // 15:10
SS5 An Grianan 2 (11.14 km) // 15:40
SS6 Mouldy Hill 2 (12.99 km) // 16:17
Saturday
SS7 Carnhill 1 (14.19 km) // 09:16
SS8 Fanad Head 1 (19.88 km) // 10:11
SS9 Knockalla 1 (19.61 km) // 10:49
SS10 Carnhill 2 (14.19 km) // 12:36
SS11 Fanad Head 2 (19.88 km) // 13:31
SS12 Knockalla 2 (19.61 km) // 14:09
SS13 Carnhill 3 (14.19 km) // 15:56
SS14 Fanad Head 3 (19.88 km) // 16:51
Sunday
SS15 Gartan 1 (15.64 km) // 11:35
SS16 High Glen 1 (12.00 km) // 12:19
SS17 Atlantic Drive 1 (12.87 km) // 12:59
SS18 Gartan 2 (15.64 km) // 15:06
SS19 High Glen 2 (12.00 km) // 15:50
SS20 Atlantic Drive 2 (12.87 km) // 16:30