 So we're continuing our preview of the Jule Donegal International Rally this weekend and in studio We have the defending champions Gary Jennings and Rory Kennedy. You're welcome once again to Highland What's it like the two of you have done this on numerous occasions now particularly you Rory You've got a handful of titles to your name Gary. You have you too as well What's it like in the weeks building up to to the Donegal Rally been been the defending champion and Looking forward to another run around the very fast stages in Donegal. Yeah, it's quite strange I think I'm being champion yet to kind of keep your head down and stay out of the limelight Yeah, and it's very exciting, you know come down here today to let our Kenny I suppose Kind of what a rally and we're starting to build you can see by the town and been in the shops people's all talking about so Yeah, get a bit nervous now for a couple of days But then we get the we got a notes done during the weekend. It'll be head down ready for next Friday You're a veteran of the Donegal Internet, so you don't mind me calling you up, but do you still get nervous? Well, I wouldn't say nervous I should but I would say you get to the point where the week before the rally or ten days For the rally you sort of begin to focus on it because it really for us It doesn't begin next Friday it begins probably, you know two or three weeks beforehand like so our preparation This year's a wee bit different than previous years whereby we've just We're on sort of in the back for a wee bit haven't had a fairly severe accident in Colarney rally back at the end of or sorry to begin of May and since that the car's been in the workshop So really at this really what happens from here is the car's been totally rebuilt again And this weekend we're going to take it out in the Nurea Morne rally and give it a proper shake down We haven't had that we haven't done this before you know the week the Saturday before the Donegal rally had a rally But this time we're going to do this and hopefully just do a full systems check on the car and get back up the speed And you know get back into the proper be attentive of Ron Before I could probably well, you know, we don't want it one thing I want to do is any damage, but I'm know I think the very exciting stages up in Nurea Morne and The fellow X after a car now Johnny closer. He's from that part of country So it's great beside his garage. So hopefully you know Well, we finish the rally do the whole rally or do a couple of stages We're just going really to get make sure there's no brown ones in the car and get back up the pace Yeah, just briefly touching back on last year was it was an emotional one for your Rory, wasn't it? Oh, that it does she knows five of us come back in one again Don't forget it was 95 that I last won with the late great legendary birdie Fisher like and to come back and one again with Gary was tremendous like and obviously The rally or the trophy for the rally seldom a father's memory. So what was you know? I was just unbelievable achievement and sense satisfaction to do that Yeah, you've turned up, of course with Rory before last year and different other classes trying to one I just never really clicked until 2015. Yeah, you know, I won it before but I really wasn't within that year I had sat with me for numbers year before that and the year we did win it It was team manager So it was great to get Rory back on board and win the rally But um, you know, what's gonna be tough competition this year There's you know, there's a lot of people out here who want to get this title But we don't tend to give it up that handy You know, we definitely put up a big fight for is there any pressure there? Yeah, I've been been the marked man. No, no, no definitely not them. I enjoyed down here I think the last five years if you look at the stage times and the results we've been very unlucky only to have won it twice Speeds the other times there is just putting everything together and try and make no mistakes. So we're three long days And rally and do you do you like been out front all the time or would you rather be chasing things down? Do you find the pace quicker when when you're in control of things at the front or do you like to be the man chasing? Oh, I really don't mind. I like to probably stay in the bunch and then you know Pay a pay a joker sometimes and get a bit of a gap and it's worked this last couple of years But you know, we don't expect to get handy, but I know we have the speed. We have the car will have the reliability It's just putting the whole package together, but I don't mind when I run first on the loader or second or third But yeah, no one you led from very early on last year and even in 2012 you were there leaders, too Warnies. Yeah, I think first we might be from the first stage or two We've led the whole way through I don't mind that you know get a good caution But it's very very nervous when you're in front You know sometimes it's nice to be chasing within within reaching distance, you know, but no, I don't mind Anyway, it'll be fine. Yeah, and Saturday is always a day that a lot of people make a move Rory And we've seen that with you two guys last year out of the blocks very early on a Saturday morning Oh, for sure. I should know we went on the Saturday last year I think we were maybe three and a half seconds in the lead, you know And the thing we went our way very much from the very first stage I think Donna Kelly had a bit of a delay on the first stage on Saturday morning We're by a wee capital A's on that and I'm not got enough of the second stage and we don't work quickest there again And we really got into the groove very early on, you know And we were able to keep that momentum and carry it on through for the rest of the day When did you realize that you had this thing one again? Because it is a lot. It's a three-day event and some people make a suggestion that Sunday can be a lazy day It's just a run home. That's not the case when you when you're at the front one That's sort of set on that. Just he's had it sewn up Well, I mean, it's you know, it's I know it's an old cliche to say it's never one day or at the end and so on like But every stage is a challenge and and the speech we're going that is you got to keep your concentration at a maximum You know, so really you haven't towards then maybe going on the last stage. We felt okay If making a mistake here now, we've over a minute cushion here So you're able to sort of use that cushion a bit and relax a bit maybe and maybe going through the last stage Okay, it's only matter of seeing this through but if you remember back to Ulster rally last year We were going we went on the last stage leading the rally by a minute and a half Whatever it was and one mile from the end of the very last stage We had an engine fire and the car very lucky didn't totally burn out but with a very bad very bad fire and Obviously didn't finish the rally and didn't win the rally But we're one mile from the end of the very last stage So you don't take anything for granted like in every mile and every second counts and for us You know, it takes maximum concentration all the time to push on like you don't really think about one He actually won that if you know, you have the map out in front here You're looking over the stages, but let's be fair here. Use boy. No use boys know the stages very well There's not a lot of change compared to last year, but you can't get complacent on it. Rory. Can you? Absolutely not. No, it's the same challenge as said previously like but the Friday looks very similar to what we've done last year It was new for last year the introduction of three new stages around Well around letter Kenny and drum keen and astronaut on convoy area Worked very well last year and you know, the rally is not one or lost on the first day But like you've really got to be on your toes and you've got a push right from the start second days all the traditional stages that we've all come to love and Sunday again, we've gotten Glenn the glad to drive and fan it head and you know They're the reason that people come here and want to be the rally and where the rally so popular Yeah, and you've been one of the popular drivers Gary because when you you're out and about People always want to come see your car and some people want to sit Lucky enough to sit in the car, but there's a lot of promotional work goes goes on as well And it's coming hand-in-hand in modern-day rally, isn't it? Yeah, I'd like to think you know without our sponsors and the people that give us opportunity to go and do these rallies You know what it wouldn't happen. So it's great to give something back to the people as well, you know I know go the the Phil station brand who are main sponsors have opened a new Phil station in Calais So that's their first venture into in the Southern Ireland as we say in the branded Phil station So yeah, it's great that they've opened this phil station done a go off and and really beside the rally as well I want to promote the rally and with the phil station and we want to promote the phil station to rally So hopefully we're going there and choosing a different goes to plan from seven to nine just to meet some of the customers And I would urge everybody to come out and support port the phil station because they support me But and if we can get more phil station in done a go on all over all over Ireland Hopefully the more they'll back when you look at the fan base The size that the don't a go international rally is and the crown that it that a terrorist The fan base no doubt grows because when you won done a goal, you're here a very popular man Yeah, they're dead, you know I always had it done it goes when I always want to win and I think it's the right most we want to win They aren't and it's the best right probably like competing, you know Not only have you that the fan base, but you have the Hot tally of the people and don't I go on at our candy, you know, they're second to none You know, there's nothing not to if you know for for a weekend even after that You know if you come down the ladder can I don't a go with the family's great to get recognized and you know I thank them all very very much for the support Yeah, I don't really talking to other drivers what it means and all the navigators as well How much it means to them to one done a go and a lot of them put it up there ahead of Tarmac championships that the one and another big events and given that it's your home one as well That's it's very very close to the heart and it is it is the big one. It is the important one Oh, well, I don't I seen and I suppose don't a kill a really something up last year one You know Donna had one had a fantastic year last year But the one rally didn't one was going to go and they said you give up all his other victories Just for the don't a go rally alone like she only gives an idea of the magnitude of what it means to people to win like and their allies I've grown up with it as you know and We've been part of it for many many years me father before me and I may as well and it's been I suppose it's ingrained into your into your culture or whatever and as you know rally sport and don't a gollus is absolutely huge like and To have the rally and be part of it and meet the people on a regular basis like it's there's nothing more as a sports person You know, there's when you're top of your game on top of your sport. It's a fantastic You know to be local and to meet the people and so on mention one guy there Donna Kelly There's also the likes of Declan Boyd former winner Eugene Donnelly a former winner There's the these are five cares would seem to be getting quicker as as the events go on These boys are gonna try and be hot in your tail Gary from from very early on in this one And they're they're all contenders this year. Yeah, they're dead You know, there's a lot a lot of dark hearts here as well. You don't forget minus Kelly He'll not be far away stepped up to the market on the last rally and wanted so yeah They're five cars come along and I think you know hats off my vehicle I'll ask the future who seems to be the next up and come in man He's there there about and he's given our five care. You know, I wouldn't be surprised You know, but who far away or you always like to keep an eye on how the local boys are doing as well And I'd say about that top five or six There's some some boys that are just gonna be going for class matters and hoping that they can make it through the three days Yeah, for sure, right? Well, obviously Manus is the is the dark horse this year He's gotten the Subaru that he won the Carlo rally in there But one he did one rally. I'm on it outright and fair play to me a fantastic performance there So we know man is a bit of a dark horse and as the rally goes on I expect he gets stronger as he goes If you go right down Joe McGonigal from Muff Joe said a tremendous year as well in the Super 2000 Skoda He'd be right in contention in our five category Further down you have Declan Galler, of course, and the milk man as we all know is undoubted speed as well So we expect him to be certain up. There's a class leader So on down you Brian Brogan Deming Galler Demian tourist and of course James Coleman number 25, which is um, which is a very nice story I'm very happy to be to support that and be part of that and the rally as well You've sat with James having in the past Well surprisingly enough James and I started out together on this rally the very first rally or one of the very first In fact the first on a gold rally ever I did in 1979 Me and James Collins did it together. We finished 12th or 14th thereabouts like it So it's great to see him back You know and it's great to see the local people who supported him and made a huge effort to get him out there And I for one am delighted to see him back And we all hope that he gets get to the finish line and there's a lot of support as well We've got young Jessica here and studio who's whose color and beside us Gary's younger But you have to get a lot of support from home as well roaring Gary, don't you? Oh that I doubt, you know, I'll not see the children out probably for a week Yeah, so it's important to spend time with them as well. So Annie me middle one came up the last night. So promise Jessica bring her tonight here to the station So yeah, it's all about support from home without support when we couldn't do it I would you know businesses and families and except for all the support we have it couldn't go on Fitness wise does it take much you mentioned it there for a few moments ago debate regular and off-trend on No, absolutely. I well the difference is I'm into and I the differences should you beg all for a darts player ending at all Fitness is a vital part of it and part of your success like I give you a healthy body of a healthy mind You're able to see things clear more things out a bit better And I know I personally I feel it's vital for me to do it You know because I'm about getting a bit long on the truth this game So as long as they keep the fitness it should be fit to do it Temperatures like what we're having this week. It's gonna be very warm on a in a car Gary Yeah, sitting the driver when it's very warm like that. Well, you know, I shouldn't I wouldn't be the fittest of person You know, I well whatever fitness I have a nursery fit for I don't do much exercise, but Any exercise I do usually involves the dry arch maybe in a Saturday night But I do say it's if it's gonna be if the wall is gonna be like it is now fitness is gonna come in You know that worry's fit enough to do this I asked you the same question every what are you looking forward to? Truthfully, yeah, they get through it everybody be safe and Turned open the Monday, you know, that's what it's all about. I think we've won the rally now. I won it twice I'm happy twice. I love the one the 13th, but I think most of all we want to get through the rally and enjoy it And we're not before we even back-to-back rallies before with both birdie He's confident that they're just gonna do it again this time, bro Oh, I'm absolutely confident we can do it. I've seen there's no points on any different and we did last year and We've proved last year lead from the start and hold the lead and had the mental strength to see the job through and see the job Done like and nothing has changed in that regard providing the car is good and we make the right decisions There's a lot of crucial decisions and they need to be on the strategy for the rally needs to be right And you make the right decisions at the right times concerned the weather and so on your tire choices And if we get that right, we'll be right there the whole way. Yeah, what's looks on it? Okay? Yeah, you know, we spoke a bit before Whoever makes the least mistakes over three days, but you know, I mean, you make your own luck You know, if you go about in the right have your have your head in the right position Nick don't know you were always gonna make some mistakes with no big mistakes And as Roy says tire choice is critical. Hey, my brother has a lot to play for that He does the gravel crew and keeps now in the weather, you know, if we can all click like we did last year like we did In Galway at the start of the year like we didn't burr, you know, as you didn't kill Arnie I made a mistake completely my fault and the select tire, but you know, we've learned from mistakes And if we keep clicking the way we are, I can't see I can't see why not Well, we'll just mention the organizers Roy because you're here But man and the same as yourself Gary, there's a massive crew here that puts this rally together and without them it wouldn't happen And we seen last weekend as well There was an officials and marshals Appreciation night and you always attend these things and go away a few goodies and stuff And they're really the heart of rallies aren't they Roy? Well, there's no doubt about that, I've seen it and you know for us They've only got rallies every June and we almost take it for granted now and you know June commons don't go rally time Which I suppose is right in some ways But you must remember the amount the people and the amount of effort that goes into this the teams led by him and McGee and You know, he's got a fantastic management structure there people to An organization of the whole event as you can imagine that's a huge effort by everybody So we're grateful very grateful them teaching every one of them marshals and all and the appreciation nights That we have occasionally it's great that Gary comes along and supports it without a doubt on every event will come and support these things and You know, we're very very grateful to the marshals and the overall organizing committee for putting on such a great event And Gary you've been part of a package that's been put together by the Donegal Motor Club And Donegal Tourism about promoting the rally and former Donegal winners was there You were the young club of them all, was it like being part of that? Yeah, I must say you know hats off to Donegal Motor Club and Donegal Tourism to do something Which hasn't been done before and we're promoting a video that's out on TV I think this weekend and the follow-up to the rally, you know They spent four days filming around Donegal and I had the great pleasure of meeting former winners and really really enjoyed it But I think when you sit back and see these people who's won this rally before and what they said about the rally You know, it's testament to the rally that how I feel about winning it These men felt about winning the rally 20 and 30 years ago, you know That's it still has the same thing about it And you know to do something completely different and to produce the TV program which had a sneak preview of absolutely fantastic Yeah, and a lot of people of course they'll be back in you over the weekend as well. Yeah Without a doubt, you know this Whenever I come to Donegal, it's something strange because my sponsors ring me when you go somewhere else You know you're ringing people, but you know the local business is just another like you know like CBM Sains You know Voodoo, Jason Black, you know Highland Bakery, Divers, Hyundai You know KES which is Conor McRoss and he's a renewable energy company of ourselves And obviously with the dry arch, Serena 7 where we always go to her fantasies over the weekend But and obviously go who's the main sponsors But you know to put a package together all these other sponsors come on board as well And they make it more more enjoyment for ourselves because it's great to go to like Voodoo Obviously during the weekend and the Divers will be there probably on the Friday night of the rally So it's great to get all these local businesses involved as well And if they can get anything out of it the more they get out of it the more they can look after me So yeah, fantastic. And I thank them all for having me and Gary Many thanks again for coming into the studios of Highlands as we look forward to this massive event of the Motorsport calendar And to Jessica who's along with us as well for our first round of the station And all we can say is we wish you all the best of luck and trying to retain and defend the title. Thank you