By Emma Ryan
THE mystery of the first Donegal Rally has been solved.
The team at the Donegal County Museum has answered the Donegal International Rally organiser’s call and have found the information about the first ever rally held here in Donegal.
Last week, we featured a picture of Philip Nicholson with possibly the first ever Donegal Rally Cup dating as far back as 1939. The silver cup has the words
“Donegal Rally 1939” inscribed, drawing the attention of Letterkenny motorsport fan Philip Nicholson who bid for the cup which was up for sale online.
Philip set out to find out about the history of the cup with local rally organiser and former Clerk of the Course Jim Callaghan. The Donegal Rally started in the early seventies so this cup precedes this by over 30 years.
According to the Donegal County Museum, the “First” Donegal Rally held in July 1939 was organised by the Knock Motorcycle and Motor club in Bangor.
It was held over a weekend from July 11 to 13 and there were three classes – Open, Closed Cars of any capacity and Motorcycles of any capacity.
The course covered nearly 500 miles and the first stage began near Bangor going to Derry with two of six time tests at Glenshane Pass and a night spent in Derry.
On July 12, the Rally arrived in Donegal with the route covering Letterkenny, Ramelton, Milford, Falcarragh and around the back of Muckish and then onto Gweedore with another time test with their base at Bundoran.
On July 13, for the final day, the rally went to Donegal Town, Ballybofey,-Doochary and Gartan where another time test was taken and then onto Derry, finishing in Ballynahinch where final time test was taken at Spa, in County Down.
19 cars stated with only one failing to complete the course.
There were prizes awarded for Open Car, Closed Car, Lady, Novice and Team.
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