Ellenville, NY — Celsus "Charlie" Donnelly, winner of Rally New York USA 2007, will be back this year seeking a second victory in a row. The Irish rally veteran is looking forward to the all-pavement format this year -- no surprise as rally competitors from the Emerald Isle have a great deal of experience competing on asphalt.

Donnelly’s car will be the same Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 which carried him to victory last year. The only major change will be a coat of white paint to replace the silver and red of last year (made necessary by some body damage at another event). He views the use of a familiar machine as an advantage. "I know the car and I know what the car will do." Asked about his intended pace, the defending winner replies that he will, "Just take it one stage at a time and see how it goes."

Donnelly’s co-driver during the successful ’07 season, Noel Gallagher, is not available this year, so he will bring Barry Smith along to handle navigation. (Smith is, like himself, an Irishman from the Bronx.)

Rally New York organization is the promoter and the organizer of the Rally New York USA, the first round of the United States Rally Championship (www.usrallychampionship.com), scheduled for April 4 - 5, 2008 with the headquarters at the Nevele Resort in Ellenville, New York and the International Rally New York, the final round of the United States Rally Championship with a year-end Championship Awards Ceremony, which will take place on October 31 - November 1, 2008.

Contact information and more information on all Rally New York events may be found at www.RallyNewYork.com.