Donegal drivers impress in Winter Championship at Shackelton Barracks

Multiple club members made the trip to Shackelton barracks on Saturday for round 4 of the RSA NI Winter Championship.

Some notable results throughout the day include a Donegal domination of Class 1. Oscar McShane took a 1.6 second win ahead of Rhys McElhinney who debuted his new LHD Skoda Citigo J1000 car freshly built for the 2025 season. 

A day of learning ensued but it was McShane who held the competitive advantage over 5 out of 6 stages. Shay McDevitt took his Micra home in third position ahead of Kilmacrennan man Robbie Stewart in fourth. 

Jessica Halpenny finished the day in eighth in the ever reliable Nissan Micra. 

In Class 3 Ryan Diver claimed second ahead of Downings driver Patrick McBride in his Honda Civic. Simon McElhinney took the LHD J1000 Citigo home in fifth in class with Kevin Ferry just behind in 6th.

Class 5 saw some fierce battles with the 1600s with Terence Furey in fifth, Martin McLaughlin in seventh, Kyle McHugh in eighth, Harry Dorrian in ninth, and Gary McFadden in tenth. 

Milford's Seamus Kelly took his newly built MK2 escort to 12th in class after a successful day racing ahead of the Galway international in just over a week.

Jamie Doherty also had a solid finish during the six stages to bring his civic home in 16th.

Callum Devine dominated class 11 to take the overall rally car win and class win in the R5 Fabia.

Curtis Gibson led the way in the mini cup ahead of Brian Boyle in third and Stuart Darcy in fifth. 

With Jayden McBrearty taking the mini junior cup. Marie Furey and Andrew Gibson finished the event to claim 8th & 13th respectively. 

Onto the buggies, Taylor McElhinney and Darren Shiels battled it out over the stages to claim second and third in Class 13 with Cahir Wilhare, Calvin Scott and Dean Curran rounding out the standings.

In Class 14, Gareth Borland claimed third with Paul Halpenny and Michael McCollum finishing the event. 

Mickey Joe Browne switched over to the dark side and entered the event in an LA base rx01. Unfortunately, mechanical issues on SS1 meant he was unable to continue.

Newly Appointed speed car Ireland distributor Liam McMullan travelled to compete in the Matt Edwards sponsored showground stages in Bulith Wells UK. 

Welsh-based Donegal man Ross Wasson also completed the event with McMullan in fourth and Wasson in sixth in speedcar buggies.

Club members Dean O'Sullivan and Oisin Joyce travelled to Loughrea, Galway for the top part West Coast Championship prize giving, where Dean and driver Micky Carbin collected their award for overall top 2wd. Oisin and driver Gareth Deazley collected their award for overall top FWD

Entry list is now available for the Galway International which takes place next weekend, the 2nd and 3rd of February. 

Lots of club members on the entry list with many more travelling to marshal and officiate. As always marshals are required and any club members thinking of travelling to the event, please contact Tony Boyle to register.

The first event on the club calendar, the highly anticipated McCaffertys Bar Donegal Forestry, is just three weeks away. 

COC Johnny Baird said interest in the event has been overwhelming with a large number of entries already received.  

The launch of the event will take place in McCaffertys Bar on February 7th during the Boyle Family’s Rally Appreciation Night, where everyone is welcome to join the celebrations.