William Creighton to tackle Ireland's biggest rally showdown in Donegal

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William Creighton can't wait to take in the 'special' atmosphere at the Donegal International Rally.

The Moira man, the 2023 World Junior Championship winner, will debut in a Castrol-backed Melvyn Evans Motorsport Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.

The Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver has had a strong season so far, including a British Rally Championship victory at the East Riding Stages and a hard-fought second place at the Carlisle Stages.

Next weekend's three-day rally over Donegal's world-famous stages will be Creighton's first Irish rally since West Cork in 2024 and throws him in against the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship's regulars.

"This is a rally that I've always wanted to contest in a Rally2 car," Creighton, who actually co-drove last year at this event, said.

"It's such a special event for Irish rallying and the atmosphere is second to none.

"To be competing on such an iconic event, on home ground, with the support of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy and in the Castrol GR Yaris, really means a lot."

Creighton will have Liam O'Regan riding shotgun on the pace notes and the 27-year-old expects a mammoth test.

Creighton said: "The pace at the front of the ITRC is very strong. There's no room for error, and it's important to find a good rhythm from the beginning of the rally. But that's what makes it such a brilliant challenge.

"This is a great opportunity for me, both in terms of contesting such an iconic rally and in staying sharp during the gap in the BRC schedule.

"Three days in Donegal offers very useful seat-time ahead of our next asphalt BRC round at Rali Ceredigion later in the summer.

"It's a huge boost to be back behind the wheel and to do it on Irish soil, I'm grateful to the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy and the team for making it happen."

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"We've had a good run so far this year. I think Donegal will be a huge test, not just because of the pace of the competition, but the intensity of the rally and how much the local knowledge comes into play."