LOCAL TRIATHLETE MICHAEL BLACK is ready to return to rallying with the Letterkenny man set to compete in the 2016 Joule Donegal International Rally.
Black, well known around the local sporting scene for his own exploits running and cycling, is Finn Harps’ fitness coach, but this weekend he’s back behind the wheel.
He’ll be partnered by Pauric McGinley, also well known in Letterkenny from his work in Mac’s Mace on the High Road.
“It’s been in the family for years,” Black said of his rallying hopes.
[adrotate group=”11″]“Donegal was always an aspiration.
“In 2013 myself and Pauric did it. I’ve done the Harvest and the Mini Stages, but Donegal was always the one I wanted to be involved in.
“I had a couple of years of a break, but I’m looking forward to the weekend.
It’s a marathon in a rally sense. It’s important to kind of pace yourself, but we want to be as competitive as possible.”
[adrotate group=”70″]Picture caption: Michael Black before the 2013 Donegal International Rally.
Black and McGinley competed in 2013 in a Civic, but have hired an R2 Fiesta from Wales for this weekend and will be in Class 11F.
McGinley, from Glebe Crescent, is no stranger to rallying either. He’s also partnered Andrew McTaggart in his time and has driven in events too.
This weekend, though, he’s riding shotgun with Black.
“It’s a big rally and this is one we’d always be looking forward to,” McGinley said.
“I’d have followed it with dad as a young fellow, watching all types of motorsport.
[adrotate group=”46″]“It’s just class, being in the Donegal Rally.
“The aim first is to finish. We’re in class 11F so we’ll go for a top three finish in the class.”
Listen to the full interview below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/michael-black-on-donegal-rally
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