Donnelly, the brother of current Irish Tarmac Champion Eugene, is the reigning Irish National Champion. After winning the championship, he decided to take a break from the driving seat due to health reasons, but he failed to resist the temptation of entering his popular home event to defend his title.

Despite a long layoff, Donnelly and Toner immediately grabbed the lead in their Toyota Corolla WRC. They were two seconds faster over the opening stage from Glenn Allen and Damien Connolly, while Seamus Heron and Elaine Doherty were third ahead of Sean Devine and Damien Duffin.

Donnelly continued his charge through stages two and three, extending his lead by vital seconds. A bad tyre choice for stage three saw him set fastest time by just two-tenths of a second, but he was back on the throttle over stage four, when he was 11 seconds faster than Allen.

The chasing Cookstown pilot could seemingly do little about the Toyota in front, but he was safe in the knowledge that his rival was not registered for the championship. Second position was enough to secure maximum points, although he had to watch his back as Sean Devine and Damien Duffin were now third, just seven seconds in arrears.

The final two stages saw trouble raise its head in the leader's camp, and suddenly victory for Donnelly started slipping from his grasp. While he was equal fastest with Allen through stage five, a slipping clutch through the closing miles saw him lose more than 13 seconds! It was not enough for Allen to snatch the win, so a relieved Donnelly and Toner arrived at Walsh's Hotel in Maghera to celebrate victory!

Glenn Allen and Damien Connolly secured second overall and maximum championship points while Seamus Heron and Elaine Doherty were third after Sean Devine and Damien Duffin crashed out after a jump on the final stage.

"We were only six or seven seconds behind Glenn so we decided to push hard for the championship points," Devine recalled. "It was difficult to choose tyres all day, and the stage started off dry, but then it was a bit wet in the middle. We just came up over a bridge and the car broke away from us. Thankfully, not much damage was done and now we just have to make sure it's ready for the next rally."

In fourth position, Neil McCance and Sean Ferris continued their excellent run of form with victory in the Sunoco Fuels Group N category. The crew fended off challenges from Errol Clarke and Richard Cathcart, who both retired, to make it two category victories in as many weekends after their Manx success. It was also enough to give him second placed championship points, and he now lies fifth overall in the standings.

Pomeroy's Stephen Moore, who had Tony McHugh on the notes, had a difficult rally as he struggled to become accustomed with his Focus WRC on wet tarmac. He recovered well though and despite a few minor indiscretions, he came home in fifth position ahead of Enniskillen's Raymond Johnston and Richard Bell. Moore now lies second in the championship, six points behind leader Allen and two points ahead of Johnston.

Completing the top ten, Cathal Rogers and John McCafferty were seventh overall in their Mitsubishi Lancer, just over 20 seconds ahead of John McGlaughlin and Stephen McAuley. These two crews were second and third in the Sunoco Fuels Group N category, while the Superdrive two-wheel-drive award went to Frank Kelly and Joe Friel. It was nip and tuck until the finish for Kelly, as he battled with Aiden and Damien Toner. In the end, it was Kelly who sealed the victory by 2.2 seconds from Toner who completed the top ten.

Round 5 - Modern Tyre Service Mourne Rally

Round five of the Pacenotes rally series takes crews to Newry in County Down for the Modern Tyre Service Mourne Rally. This year's event will start from the Town Hall in Newry on Saturday 9 June, and competitors will tackle 12 stages including Slieve Gullion and Camlough Mountain. Service will be in Carnbane Industrial Estate with prize-giving after the event held at Mourne Country Hotel.

KBB Tour of the Sperrins - top ten results

1 Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Corolla WRC)
2 Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Corolla WRC)
3 Seamus Heron/Elaine Doherty (Focus WRC)
4 Neil McCance/Sean Ferris (Lancer Evo 9)
5 Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Focus WRC)
6 Raymond Johnston/Richard Bell (Impreza WRC)
7 Cathal Rogers/John McCafferty (Lancer Evo)
8 John McGlaughlin/Stephen McAuley (Lancer Evo 9)
9 Frank Kelly/Joe Friel (Escort MkII)
10 Aiden Toner/Damien Toner (Escort MkII)