IN AROUND 24 hours time, the 2016 Donegal International Rally gets underway with the usual sense of anticipation and apprehension.
That is even so for those seasoned campaigners who take part in the event as a matter of annual form.
James Cullen is back after a long break, the Letterkenny man marking 25 years since the first of his two Donegal Rally wins in 1991 by competing in a Mark II Escort this year.
“I’m slightly apprehensive to be heading out after the break I’ve had. A lot of people have put a lot of work in to make this happen,” Cullen told Donegal Sport Hub.
“It’s a great nostalgic trip down memory lane.
“All I have to do is finish. Hopefully it’ll all go well. If I get Friday over I’ll be able to enjoy the experience.”
Ballintra man John McCafferty competed in Donegal first in 1977 when he sat with Matt Doherty in a Mini. This weekend, McCafferty calls the notes for Omagh’s Seamus Leonard.
It’ll be the 38th time he’ll do this event. McCafferty said: “It’s just the love of the sport. I get a great thrill out of it. It’s hard to give it up.”
Pat Kirk’s is an annual feature on the Donegal Rally entry list. The Strabane native is in the mix this year again, but this year in a new Evo 10.
Kirk said: “This will be a baptism of fire because we have a new class and we’re in a new car. We went to Laois for a test and it’s good. You have to move on with all the technology.”
Listen to the full package below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/cullen-mccafferty-and-kirk
