1996 Donegal International Rally

On its silver anniversary, the Donegal International served up an absolute classic with Bertie Fisher, James Cullen and Andrew Nesbitt thrilling the crowds over three days in a three way fight for the lead. As Fisher hit tyre difficulties, Cullen hit the front but Nesbitt gradually reeled him in before pulling clear to take his first international win. This programme also includes a feature with some of the founding members of the club and those involved in the first Donegal Rally, recalling their memories of the event in its 25th year.

[@garrycrossan4068]

One of the best things MI has don't in recent years is acquiring the RPM archive and making it available to the public. Thanks to those that made it happen

[@hollyhillbilly1747]

I remember watching this on RPM back in the day. I'm sure they played a Bob Dylan song "The times they are a changing" on the original broadcast as they looked back over the old rallies about 5 mins in. It's one of those things that sticks out in my mind as every time I hear that song since I think of this rally. I'm nearly certain the music has been changed on this one. I'll get my anorak 😂

[@86themadhatter27]

That's hilarious. Had conversations with my brother trying to find where we saw that Bob Dylan clip when we were young. Used to watch it over and over on VCR. Gutted they had to alter it for copyright.

[@hollyhillbilly1747]

@86Themadhatter
Glad there's someone to back me up. 😄 I was beginning to think I had imagined it.

[@hollyhillbilly1747]

Can anyone remember a video released by RPM later that year. 1996 It was called "Happiness in the Hills." 25 years of Donegal.
It had footage of every event from 1972. About 4 hours long. I had a copy which I sent over to VHS rallies last year along with over 100 other videos. Sadly the mould was too bad and he couldn't salvage anything from it. Surely it's in the Motorsport Ireland archive somewhere

[@MichaelWard-cb4ql]

Hi there its on youtube

[@hollyhillbilly1747]

@MichaelWard-cb4ql thanks so much Michael. Just found it. What a video it was .

[@kayla6858]

Was the 25 anniversary not 97

[@hollyhillbilly1747]

The 25th event was in 1996. But you are technically correct as the first event was in 72

[@Thedodger23]

Escort cosworth/wrc great rally cars.loved them👍

[@bigfoot110]

please can you uplaod footage of Stephen Finlay win Donegal in the michelin pilot ford escort cosworth 1995 please. Thanks, keep her lit..

[@twincamGT]

Ya I'd love to see that to .the circuit 96is somewhere on TH-cam Finley s in it really good to

[@yrma_fletcher8953]

cant even lie to owner of Porsche about how it happened either

[@frankemerson8584]

No but you can tell him his pace note came too late and blame it all on him :D !