Lark in the Park to Donegal for new stage

This weekend’s Lark in the Park Rally will return to Columb’s Park outside Londonderry while also featuring a new stage over the border in Donegal.

Clerk of the Course Danny Gormley believes the stage will prove a hit with crews – there are 48 entered. “There is a brand new stage in Donegal, which will be run three times and all indications are that it will be a big hit with the competitors,” said Gormley. “Including the three stages we will be running in St Columb’s Park, it takes the mileage crews will complete to almost 30.”

Joe Mcgonigle will head the field as the first seeded car in his Skoda Fabia S2000 after a brilliant ninth on the Circuit of Ireland Rally two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, next month’s Tour of Sperrins will switch to gravel for the first time in a decade.

The May 7 event will be a counting round of both the Northern Ireland and Irish Forestry championships. The reallocation of Road Closing Orders has led to the change of surface.