Kris Meeke's 18-Year Comeback And Nobody In Donegal Is Ready For This Wild Ride

Alright, buckle up, Emerald City! You wanna talk about a stacked lineup? We've got a five-time World Rally Championship winner, a current WRC hotshot, a three-time local champ, and even an Isle of Man TT legend all descending on the Donegal International Rally this weekend. Seriously, this isn't just another race, folks. We're talking about a three-day, twenty-stage slugfest that has all the ingredients to be an absolute classic. From Friday to Sunday, the famous stages are gonna be buzzing, and trust me, you do not want to miss what these big names are about to lay down.

The Return Of A Legend: Meeke's Long-Awaited Irish Comeback

Can you believe it? Kris Meeke, a man who won his last of five WRC events back in 2017 and became the UK's first WRC winner since Colin McRae, is making his grand return to Irish rallying. It's been 18 years, eighteen! His last appearance in Donegal was way back in 2008 in a Renault Clio. Fast forward to 2026, and the 46-year-old is piloting a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 alongside Liam Regan, already testing those Donegal hills. Think about that: a guy with tons of natural speed and the experience to back it up, stepping back into the fray after almost two decades. Many out there are saying Meeke is absolutely the driver to beat. The stakes are sky-high for his first start in 18 years, and you know he's not coming back just to cruise.

History On The Line: Devine's Shot At Four, McErlean's WRC Break

While Meeke is the star name drawing everyone in, let's not forget about the other heavy hitters. We've got Josh McErlean, a current WRC driver for M-Sport in a Ford Puma Rally1, taking a break fro

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m that intense circuit to hit Donegal in a Ford Fiesta Rally2 with co-driver Eoin Treacy. This is the 26-year-old's first Donegal start, and he grew up watching it from between the hedges. He put it perfectly, saying, "In the World Rally Championship everything is very intense, but Donegal feels a little different. Of course we'll still be competing, but it's also a chance to take a step back, enjoy the occasion and appreciate what a special event it really is." Don't let that chill vibe fool you, though. McErlean is still one of the favorites to stand on the top step before he heads off to Greece to resume his WRC campaign. Then there's Callum Devine. This guy is arguably the man to beat, hands down. He and co-driver Noel O'Sullivan, in their Skoda machinery, have been unstoppable, winning the last three Donegal International Rallies. Three straight wins! Now he's aiming for an unprecedented fourth in a row, a feat that would put him in the legendary company of Bertie Fisher and Billy Coleman. Devine has also grabbed two wins in four rounds in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and even returned to the European Rally Championship this year. Oh, and don't forget the fan favorite, Isle of Man TT record holder Michael Dunlop, swapping two wheels for four in his Ford Escort, even if he's not contending for the overall honors. So, when the first of those 20 stages kicks off this Friday, who's gonna lay down that early marker? Will Meeke prove he still has it after all these years? Can McErlean leverage his WRC skills for a debut win? Or will Devine make history with an insane four-peat? This weekend is going to be absolutely wild, and we cannot wait to see it all unfold. Get ready, folks, because Donegal is about to deliver!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.