2014 Pirelli Star Driver Daniel McKenna and his co-driver Arthur Kierans are undertaking final preparations for one of Ireland’s most popular motorsport events, the Donegal International Rally.
Daniel and Arthur are heading to the North West of Ireland in the Scanbitz Mark II Ford Escort to continue development work for Pirelli with their P7 Classic tyres and the tyres will certainly receive a stern test over the duration of the event, the only 3 day international rally in Ireland. Daniel has already had a trio of outings in the Escort this season in Roscommon, Monaghan and the Isle of Man but Donegal brings a unique challenge, one which the Pirelli Star Driver can’t wait to start.
Speaking ahead of the weekend Daniel said: “Donegal is a special rally to me and I’ve been lucky to have sampled success there in 2011 when I won the national section of the event. The rally is massively challenging, contains fantastic stages and even beyond Ireland it is held in high esteem. Shortly after I became this year’s Pirelli Star Driver, Matthew Corby (Pirelli UK Motorsport Operations Manager) specifically stated he wanted me to do Donegal as part of my tyre development programme. That gives you an idea of how highly regarded the rally is. There’s an incredibly strong national entry this year, the strongest I’ve seen and I aim to be right in the middle of it. It should prove to be a great test for myself, the car and the Pirelli P7 Classics.”
The action on the Donegal International Rally gets underway on Friday with the traditional town centre start in Letterkenny before the crews set off to tackle 3 stages to be done 2 times. Saturday features 4 stages which are also repeated including the fearsome Knockalla stage while Sunday sees 3 more stages in the shape of Glen, Atlantic Drive and Fanad, all to be repeated. In total the crews will see 20 special stages over 3 days of rallying.
You can follow Daniel’s progress over the weekend in Donegal and throughout the year by following him on Twitter @DMKMotorsport and Facebook at Daniel McKenna Rallying. And if you’re in service in Letterkenny or Milford services over the weekend make sure and say hello!
