Stages all set for Donegal International Rally

With just days to go until the 2017 Joule Donegal International Rally, it’s all systems go for organisers, who are busy putting in place final preparations for the event. Next weekend will see a record number of entrants battle it out for the prestigious Donegal crown. A bumper-filled entry will tackle 20 stages over three days of testing roads across the finest parts of The Wild Atlantic Way and beyond.

Ahead of next weekend’s event, Course of the Clerk, Eamon McGee and his team have been around the route ensuring that no stone is left unturned. He says Donegal is ready to put on its best event yet: “This final week is all about the last-minute preparations. We’ve been liaising with all residents affected by road closures, ensuring they are fully informed.  In addition to this, many of the crews participating in next weekend’s event are in Donegal this week to carry out their recces, driving the route at normal road speeds, making pace-notes. This information is vital for next weekend, when co-drivers will read it to drivers on the competitive sections of the rally to inform them of the severity of upcoming corners. We’ve had great reports from the crews, who are full of praise for this year’s route – the stages are in excellent condition and we’re ready for action.”

The Joule Donegal International Rally prides itself on being at the forefront of technology and this year, the event will be streamed online with links on the Donegal International Rally Facebook page and donegalrally.ie. Eamon McGee is delighted that the event can be shared with an international audience in this way: “As well as attracting a local and national audience, this year’s Rally can be viewed in real time by Donegal and Irish people living all over the world. The diaspora can tune into live action from all the stages and service areas. Viewers can access live studio links with expert analysis, in-depth interviews and behind the scenes footage with crew members out in the field. We’ve no doubt that interviews from the end of each stage will capture the raw emotion of the event, as crews are still fully pumped after completing a stage.”

Anyone interested in viewing the event online can do so on Facebook live via facebook.com/onthepacenote. All links will be available and shared on the Donegal International Rally Facebook page. Programmes are also available online and in various shops across the country, while the updated entry list can be viewed on the Joule Donegal International Rally website.

With over 20 international crews entered in the 2017 event, there’s a very strong international element to this year’s rally – another reason why spectators will come out in force for the only three day rally in Ireland. For more information on the Joule Donegal International Rally, visit www.donegalrally.ie or www.donegalmotorclub.com. To follow the event details, visit the Donegal Rally Facebook, Twitter and Instagram account.