By Sue Hallock
NARROWSBURG — April 3, 2007 — On Friday, March 30 and Saturday, March 31, Rally New York took Sullivan County by storm.
Scores of people of all ages were filled with anticipation and excitement as they viewed and got a chance to sit in a Rally car on Friday night. Then on Saturday, those local auto racing fans got the opportunity to see the Rally cars compete for the best times right in their own backyards.
The Rally NY drivers who came to Narrowsburg were representing the United States, Canada, Europe and even South America.
On Friday, a total of 36 Rally cars from all over the country and the world were lined up on Erie Street in Narrowsburg to participate in the ceremonial start a day prior to the actual racing event. Drivers and cars lined both sides of the street as fans glanced at the cars and enjoyed the opportunity to talk to the drivers to learn a bit more about Rally racing.
“I would like to extend a welcome to all of the competitors and crews and the fans,” Town of Tusten Supervisor Ben Johnson said. “I hope you have a great Rally and I wish everyone a great racing weekend.”
Burak Tuglu of Turkey was one of the Rally drivers who came to the Town of Tusten event.
“This is a great little community and it is my first time competing in Narrowsburg,” Tuglu said. “I am originally from Turkey, but live in Washington D.C. and I travel to the events and it is a lot of fun.
“I have a 2002 Ford Focus that we compete in and it is a lot of fun,” he added. “But most people do not understand that a Rally car is strictly built for its strength and durability, so that is why you always see a compact type of Rally car.”
Among the other drivers competing in Narrowsburg was Paddy Brennan of Yonkers. He raced in his 2004 Subaru.
“We have come here every year and each year we add a little something to the car,” Brennan said. “Right now my car is worth about $50,000 and we just have fun out there.”
National Champion Seamus Burke was also on hand to greet the fans and show off his Rally car.
“I have been racing for over 30 years and we love to run in events such as this one,” Burke commented. “The people in this community are so nice to us and the track they lay out for us is a great one. We really enjoy coming to the event.
“Just watch for the car with the Shamrock because that car will be taking the trophy,” he smiled as he referred to his own Rally car. 
One of the organizers for the event in Narrowsburg was Ed Jackson, who was thrilled with the turnout.
“We have 36 cars that will be competing in the race and it should be a great time for all,” Jackson said. “An evening such as this gives the fans the time to come and see the cars and see what Rally New York is all about. It is a lot of fun.”
The Rally cars competed over 43 miles of special stages (speed tests) on paved roads as well as gravel roads. That competition was followed by 50 miles of racing with special stages on dirt and gravel roads between the two days.
Spinouts by any of the drivers could cost them time and possibly cause damage to their cars. Many drivers managed to avoid spinning out.
During the first hour of competition, however, four Rally Cars dropped out due to accidents. In addition, a fifth car bowed out during the last session on Swamp Pond Road when the driver hit a embankment.
The overall winners of the Rally New York event and Tusten Trophy recipients were Celsus Donnelly and Noel Gallagher, who drove a Mitsubishi Evo 8.
Other winners included:
United States Rally Championship overall winners:
Overall All-Wheel-Drive: 1. Celsus Donnelly and Noel Gallagher – Mitsubishi Evo 8
2. Enda McCormick and Bernard Farrell – Mitsubishi Evo 6
3. Daniel O’Brien and Dominik Jozwiak – Subaru WRX STi
Overall Two-Wheel-Drive:
1. Joshua Wimpey and Jeremy Wimpey – VW Golf GTI
2. Justin Chiodo and Adam Wangerin – Honda Civic Si
3. Patrick Cournane and Paul Treanor – Subaru Impreza
United States Rally Championship class winners:
Open All-Wheel-Drive:
1. Celsus Donnelly and Noel Gallagher – Mitsubishi Evo 8
2. Enda McCormick and Bernard Farrell – Mitsubishi Evo 6
3. Daniel O’Brien and Dominik Jozwiak – Subaru WRX STi
Open Two-Wheel-Drive:
1. Joshua Wimpey and Jeremy Wimpey – VW Golf GTI
2. Jay Menzo and Dave Florina – Mazda 323
3. Mike Hall and Dave Stockdill – Mitsubishi Mighty Max
Production All-Wheel-Drive:
1. Emilio Arce and Sarah Gardescu
Production Two-Wheel-Drive:
1. Justin Chiodo and Adam Wangerin – Honda Civic Si
2. Patrick Cournane and Paul Treanor – Subaru Impreza
3. Gustavo Garrido and Jeremy Neyhart – Nissan Sentra SE-R