Eugene Donnelly took a hollow win on the Topaz Donegal International Rally last weekend, after the event was brought to a premature end following the death of a spectator in a tragic accident.
Donnelly, who hadn't been in action in the Global Group Irish Tarmac Rally Championship since the Galway Rally back in February, was on the pace from the off in his Skoda Fabia WRC and seized the lead on the second stage on Friday. He eventually finished the opening leg 12.4 seconds up on Gareth MacHale.
On day two, Donnelly maintained his position at the head of the pack and was 19.3 seconds up on Kevin Lynch's Ford Focus, when the event was halted following an incident in SS11, when Fiesta Sporting Trophy Ireland runner Elfyn Evans hit a spectator.
Elfyn and co-driver Gareth Roberts both escaped uninjured and the 'initial indications' were that there was no driver error involved. The fan, 18-year-old Richard O'Donnell, did not survive. For more information on the accident
click here.
Donnelly, who was subsequently declared the winner after the rest of the event was cancelled, told the
Belfast Telegraph that it was 'a tragic day for the sport'.
"The result becomes only a trivial matter in circumstances like these," the four-time Irish Tarmac champion continued.
"It was turning out to be a dream rally for me. The car, the
Silverstone Tyres I was using for the first time, the team - everything has blended brilliantly. I haven't enjoyed myself in a rally car so much for a long time.
"But the accident puts everything in perspective. My heart goes out to the young man who was killed - and to the crew of the car. They will be devastated."
Gareth MacHale was third, a further 2 seconds back, followed by current Irish Tarmac championship leader, Eamonn Boland and Daniel Doherty. Boland actually increased his championship lead from 26 points to 29 following what was the fifth round in the ITRC.
