Garry Jennings is hoping victory on this weekend’s Donegal International Rally will banish the painful memories of last year’s second place, when he had victory snatched from his grasp by a timing error. Jennings dominated the rally last time out and looked to be heading for his second Donegal Rally win, but despite setting the fastest times over the stages he was deprived of the win after organisers had ruled he had clocked out of a service area too early. The road penalties demoted him to second place behind Sam Moffatt, and although Garry still went on to win the Irish Tarmac Championship he admits he would have loved to win an event he regards as his favourite of the season.

“I have dominated this last couple of years, but I was just unfortunate last year,” he said. “A lot of the stages are the same but like last year there are four or five drivers who can win the rally, and it’s just whoever can stay in front and make the least mistakes.” Garry’s main competition is likely to come from the current championship leader Declan Boyle, but last year’s winner Sam Moffatt as well as Donagh Kelly, Darren Gass and Derek McGarrity could all be challenging for the lead. Further down the field there will be a lot of attention car number 57 as road racing legend Michael Dunlop switches from two wheels to four to compete in a rally for the first time.

Garry’s hopes of retaining the Tarmac Championship he won for the first time last season look slim after his poor start to the season. Second place on the series opening Galway Rally was a solid start to his defence, but a heavy accident on the final stage of the Circuit of Ireland as he battled for the lead meant he failed to add to his total. The accident meant he had to withdraw his entry for the Killarney International Rally two weeks later as the car was not ready in time, but he will return this weekend in his familiar Subaru to attempt to win his first rally of the current campaign, and if he can claim maximum points he reckons he could still have a chance of the title.

“It’s not over yet,” he said. “We will see how Donegal goes. I wasn’t going to get tied in to the championship this year but I will be doing the Ulster because it is close to home, and then we will play it by ear.” The Donegal Rally, Ireland’s only remaining three day rally, starts from Letterkenny on Friday morning. Competitors will tackle classic stages including Knockalla, Atlantic Drive, Fanad Head and High Glenn before the winner is crowned on the finish ramp back in Letterkenny on Sunday afternoon.