The stage is set for another almighty Donegal International Rally this weekend. A trio of new contenders inside the rally’s top five will go wheel-to-wheel with Irish Tarmac’s usual suspects for this year’s event.

Irish Tarmac Rally Championship leader Callum Devine is seeded on pole position as he looks for a hat-trick of Donegal victories alongside Noel O’Sullivan. With Keith Cronin and Matt Edwards dropping their Irish Tarmac campaigns early, Devine faces fresh opposition aboard his Skoda Fabia Rally2.

A pair of Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy crews will challenge Devine. Fresh from their Rally Poland podium, Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne will be keen to right their late West Cork Rally heartbreak as they make a return to Ireland’s asphalt stages.

Despite his neighbouring Fermanagh upbringing, Armstrong has yet to compete on the Donegal International Rally, and he will make his debut this year in a freshly built Ford Fiesta Rally2. M-Sport’s 160th Fiesta Rally2 chassis will be prepared and serviced by the Cumbrian outfit as Ford goes for its first Donegal victory since 2019.

William Creighton and Liam Regan will start just behind their academy colleagues in a Toyota Yaris Rally2. The Belfast-based crew have only started two rallies so far this year but they have come away from them with a victory and a runner-up finish.

Perhaps the star of the show will be double European Rally Champion and World Rally Championship event winner Hayden Paddon steps into Edwards’ Hyundai i20 Rally2 for the three-day event.

Although Donegal will be the New Zealander’s debut event in Ireland, his dominant start-to-finish victory on Wales’ asphalt stages of Rali Ceredigion is proof that he will be able to utilise his asphalt abilities on Donegal’s iconic tests.

ITRC regulars Josh Moffett, Declan Boyle, David Kelly, and Cathan McCourt will all be vying for Donegal honours this weekend in a mix of Rally2 machinery, while two-time Donegal podium finisher Meirion Evans will fancy his chances in his Yaris Rally2.

Donegal’s bursting entry extends through modified, historic, and junior categories, so be sure to keep your eye on rallyinsight.com for daily reports.

First, though, check out our stage preview courtesy of Onthepacenote’s Killian Duffy.

Malin Head (14.3 km) – SS1/4

Malin Head is not an easy start to the 2025 Donegal International Rally. It is an extremely committed 14 kilometres on an undulating surface; there are no gentle warm-ups here.

The fast corners will test the set-up of the rally cars from the off, with those on the ball benefitting from the extra grip they will have with a narrower section following at the end.

To top it off, there are plenty of blind crests that will bring drivers’ trust in their pacenotes to the fore. Crews will be hoping for a strong start to their events but need to keep some caution on a test that claimed modified favourite Mark Alcorn’s Ford Escort Mk2 12 months ago.

Mamore Gap (12.6 km) – SS2/5

Another fast, committed stage to continue Friday’s opening day of action. Mamore Gap starts with a few straights, chicanes, and square junctions before embarking on a climb between Croaghcarragh and Mamore Hill.

There are some tight hairpins along the ascent while the descent toward the end of the stage offers an unbelievable section that will demand huge commitment from Donegal’s crews.

An off on Mamore Gap ended Keith Cronin’s brief run at the front of the Donegal pack last year.

Coolcross (11.8 km) – SS3/6

Coolcross starts off quite fast and in general, is another committed stage with sudden, medium-speed, downhill corners. There are bumpy sections to Friday’s final test as well, making it another tricky stage to round out day one of rallying in Donegal.

Saturday

High Glen (12.0 km) – SS7/9

Another famous Donegal test which is running downhill on this year’s event.

The 12.5-kilometre stage is fast, committed, and flowing as it travels toward Glen Village. It then gets tight and twisty just after the village as the road runs along the lake, before a really bumpy section before the end of Saturday’s penultimate test.

Lough Keel (10.6 km) – SS8/10

Lough Keel is one of Donegal’s shorter stages but it offers plenty of corners and driving. There are a few narrow sections with a lot going on between the start and finish lines.

Lough Keel is a bit more like a traditional inland Irish rallying stage.

Knockalla (20.0 km) – SS11/13

A stage that needs no introduction, one of the finest and most famous in Ireland.

Knockalla is super fast, flowing, and committed along its coastline start before turning inland where the characteristics completely change.

The 20-kilometre test starts Saturday afternoon’s loop and gives crews a big chance to flip the script for the second half of the event.

Callum Devine is hard to beat over Knockalla but all eyes will be on new challengers Jon Armstrong, Will Creighton, and Hayden Paddon to see how they fare on the famous rollercoaster.

Garrygort (10.6 km) – SS12/14

Garrygort is a brilliant stage to follow Knockalla, with nice flowing corners and plenty of variation.

Crews should take care on several short, medium-speed corners that can catch you out.

Sunday

Carn Hill (12.9 km) – SS15/18

A lovely stage to kick off Donegal’s final day. It is fast and committed with a few sudden corners for good measure. With good levels of grip it should be a nice way to start off an epic Sunday itinerary.

Atlantic Drive (12.9 km) – SS16/19

Atlantic Drive has to be up there among the best stages in the country with endless corners around the Rosguill peninsula.

It has been a while since it has run in this direction, offering a fresh challenge for all of the crews who will have no time to enjoy the scenic landscapes.

Fanad Head (19.9 km) – SS17/20

A really committed stage to complete the 2025 Donegal International Rally.

There is so much work in these 20 kilometres, barring the fast section past the football pitches, this stage is an intensive end to three days of rallying.

There are plenty of grip changes throughout and it has to be on the list of top stages in the country.

The stage starts on the northwest of the peninsula, working its way down to Portsalon, where crews can soak up the atmosphere of finishing this three-day classic.

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Photo by D Harrigan Images

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