Stunning Entry for Harvest Rally Promises Epic Finale to Irish Rally Season

Sam Pearson, Clerk of the Course for the Jacksons Hotel Harvest Stages Rally in Ballybofey on 13th October 2018, has confirmed that entries have now closed for the Harvest Stages rally with one of the biggest fields ever assembled for a one-day event in Ireland.
“We have 140 rally crews ready to take the start line at Jacksons Hotel on Saturday, from an entry of almost 200. That’s the biggest one-day entry in the country this year, and one of the biggest ever. We received 40 more entries than we can start for the main event, and they go on the reserve list, waiting to see if some spaces become available.”
“On top of that we have another 18 crews entered in the Junior category, leaving us with close to 160 rally cars battling it out for the prizes in the Triton National Rally Championship, the Sligo Pallets Border Championship and the Donegal Commercials Donegal Motor Club Championship.”
“There are no less than five winners of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and three winners of the Triton National Rally Championship listed in the top ten, with newly-crowned 2018 champion Josh Moffett, number 1 seed Donagh Kelly, Declan Boyle, Josh Moffett joining former Donegal International rally winner Gareth McHale, who makes a welcome comeback to the sport. Between them they have won just about every rally – and rally championship – in the country, many times over. It’s an epic entry.”
“Declan Boyle in a Ford Fiesta WRC leads the Triton National rally series from fellow Donegal man Joe McGonigle in his Mini WRC with Monaghan’s Josh Moffett in hot pursuit in his Fiesta WRC. Saturday will see the crowning of the overall 2018 Champion.”
“We have some of the best drivers coming from Scotland, headed by British Rally Champion David Bogie in a brand-new car at number 10. He leads away possibly the best quality Ford Escort entry list we have ever seen in Donegal, and that’s saying something.”
“Everywhere you look there are rally winners, including Donegal’s new Irish Tarmac champion Kevin Eves in his Toyota Corolla. Stuart Darcy brings his Darrian T90 to Ballybofey to continue an epic title battle with Gary Kiernan for the Irish National championship. The Escorts won’t have it their own way in the modified category.”
Our rally programme is now available and includes a tribute to Gerald Hunter, the Clerk of the Course for the “Rally in the Valley” in 2010, the last time the Harvest was based in Ballybofey. It was a huge success thanks to him, and we continue to miss Gerald’s energy, leadership and sense of fun. He will be fondly remembered by all in the Motor Club this weekend.”
“We are still asking for Marshals to come forward to help with the running of the rally. The Chief Marshal for the Rally is Club Secretary John Crumlish who can be contacted on the Motor Club’s website: www.donegalmotorclub.com. “
“Donagh Kelly’s Ford Focus WRC will lead the field away from Ballybofey at 9.15 on Saturday morning and the rally arrives back to the finish ramp at Jacksons Hotel at 5.15 in the afternoon. In between will be one of the most hotly contested Harvest Rallies in years. I would ask that everyone travel safely, get to the stages early and follow the instructions of the marshals at all times.”
“We are indebted to the Management and staff at Jacksons Hotel as sponsors of the Rally. They have been brilliant to work with. The Hotel has special rally rates which can be accessed on their website: www.jacksonshotel.ie or by telephone at: 00-353-7491-31021. We would ask all rally supporters to support all our sponsors and advertisers.”