Deja Vu Cork - 8-9 Sep 23

SPECTATOR GUIDE / ROUTE MAP

Posted: September 4, 2023 2:12 PM

COLEMAN HEADS DÉJÀ VU CORK '23 ENTRY

Posted: September 4, 2023 8:24 AM

The legendry Billy Coleman with one of his former co-drivers Frank O’Donoghue will lead a spectacular parade of 130 cars away from the Radisson Blu Hotel in Little Island in Cork at 9.30am on Saturday 9th. September.

They will be in a glorious Porsche 911SC RS that has been loaned by Jonny Mulholland for the occasion, similar to the one that Billy used to win the Donegal and Galway International rallies in 1985 and ’86.

Billy will be followed by the former Ladies World Rally Champion Louise Aiken-Walker and a host of other motorsporting personalities in a fascinating selection of machines raging from Frank Fennell’s 1960 DKW 1000S to Jimmy Bearns’s 2022 Toyota GR Yaris, with all the ages of rallying represented in between.

The Minis and Ford Escorts of ‘60s and ‘70s, the Opel Mantas of the ‘80s, the Ford Cosworths and Toyota Celicas of the ’90 and the World Rally Car Subaru Imprezas including Barry Coleman’s famous ex-Bertie Fisher example L555 FEL.

And look out for entries like, Ollie O’Donovan’s 1992 Escort RS Cosworth; Johnathan Radley’s 1983 Audi Quattro A2; Bob Fowden, the three-time West Cork Rally winner in a 1979 Saab V4; the former British Group One Rally Champion Robin Eyre-Maunsell in a Hillman Imp; Pat Horan’s Group B Peugeot 205 T16; Andy Hennessey’s Fiat 131 Abarth; the multiple Norwegian Champion John Hughland in a 2009 S2500 Skoda Fabia; James Cullen the 1993 Cork 20 winner in an Escort Coeworth; Eian Prichard is bring his ex- Roger Clark Escort RS 1800 from Wales and we are not forgetting Michael and Mary Dugan from Mallow who will be giving their 1968 Morris Minor an outing!

The first car sets out on the non-competitive 140 mile run from the Radisson Hotel at 9.30. They will be taking a coffee break at Old Head south of Kinsale at 10.30 and arriving at the end of the Ring Stage on the approach to Clonakilty at 12.30. They will then parade through the town to Emmet Square and on to the Show Ground where they will be parked up for an hour.

Their return journey takes in the Ardfield stage south of Clonakilty, the Ring stage in the opposite direction, and then passes through Timoleague before arriving back at the Radisson Hotel finish in Little Island at 4.30pm.

TOP CARS FOR DÉJÀ VU CORK ‘23

Posted: August 1, 2023 3:01 PM

Entries have reached their maximum for Déjà vu Cork ’23 so 140 exotic rally and supercars will leave the Radisson Blu Hotel in Little Island in Cork at 9.30 am. on Saturday 9th. September on their 140 mile journey to Clonakilty and back.

“We are delighted to have received a maximum entry for the eighth event in our RPM Déjà vu Motorsport series which brings together so many old friends and their treasured motorcars,” said the RPM Déjà vu Motorsport directors Alan (Plum) Tyndall and Alan Graham.

Appropriately Ford, with their strong links to Cork, top the list numerically. The blue oval badged machines come in many shapes and sizes and from many different years of manufacture. Mk I Escorts dating back to 1968 belonging to Bishopstown’s Brian O’Neill and Cork’s David Cremin for example.

There are sixteen Mk II Escorts and the one likely to get the most attention is the 1973 car driven by Cathal Curley, the Derry driver who was a rallying superstar in the 1970s.

Also look out for Ollie and Patrick O’Donovan, the father and son British Rallycross champions who originally hail from Limerick, in their Escort RS Cosworth.

Fifteen Porsches will be heading out along the old Cork 20 and West Cork rally stages led by Billy Coleman in a Rothmans Rallying 911 SCRS loaned by Jonny Mulholland. Then there’s Killarney’s Conor Falvey, a regular historic competitor and Brian Powley, a former Historic Rally Champion who is returning from the USA. Both have 1972 911 RS models.

Nine Minis will make the journey including the 1967 Cooper ‘S’ belonging to Dungannon’s Derek Smith, a car that took part in one of the classic five-day Circuit of Ireland Rallies of yesteryear.

Wesley Patterson from Lisburn and Joey O’Shea from Limerick are taking out their spectacular 1980s Opel Manta 400s, and Belfast’s Kieran O’Neill his 1978 Opel Kadett GT/E, the car and driver combination that has thrilled the rally fans on many Irish International events in the past.

Barry Coleman’s Subaru Impreza, registration number L555 FEL, will be the pick of the six Subarus on parade as his is the car that was driven by the late Bertie Fisher.

And Jonathan Radley from Cappoquin will have his fabulous Audi Quattro A2 (pictured above), one of three of the German Audis in the event.

There will also be a trio of Lancias in Cork. An iconic Lancia Stratos belonging to Brian McKay from Loughlinstown; Sean Tracey’s Lancia Fulvia HF, and Andrew Mulqueen’s Lancia Delta Integrale.

And the list of motoring exotica rolls on and on. Andy Hennessy from Dublin and Dessie Tierney from Cavan in their Fiat 131 Abarths; Donal O’Callaghan in his 1970 Renault Alpine A110, and six Sunbeams.

The chief interest among the Rootes Group products should be Robin Eyre-Maunsel and his former co-driver Neil Wilson in a Hillman imp on loan from Andy Hennessey and Bob Fowden, who won the West Cork Rally on three occasions is bringing a rare Saab 99 from Wales.

And last on our list but right up front on the day will be Louise Aiken-Walker, the former Ladies World Rally Champion, who is being reunited with her old rallying Honda Civic, thanks to the generosity of its current owner Eoghan Fogarty .

GALA DINNER TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE

Entries are now closed for Déjà vu Cork ’23 but enthusiasts can still book a place at the Gala Dinner and Auction on the Saturday night, which is always a highlight of the Déjà vu weekends. The dress code is ‘casual smart’ and tickets are £100.00 per person. Just book at www.rpm-motorsport.com/tours

FATHER AND SON RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONS FOR CORK AS ENTRIES HIT THE TON! - Ollie and Patrick O’Donovan enter.

Posted: May 15, 2023 4:59 PM

RPM Déjà vu Motorsport is delighted to announce that two rally cross super stars, Ollie and Patrick O’Donovan, will be joining the Déjà vu Cork ’23 party in September as the entry list reaches the 100 mark.

Patrick O’Donovan became the youngest ever driver to win the 5 Nations British Rallycross Champion in 2022 emulating his father Ollie O’Donovan’s achievement back in 2007. The eighteen-year-old champion will be climbing into his father’s ‘time- machine’, (a 1992 Ford Escort Cosworth), on the 10th. September. On the event that promises to be a more leisurely experience than the short, sharp, and often violent world that he is used to in British and European Rallycross.

Only 40 places now remain for the non-competitive 140 mile run over many of the Cork 20 and West Cork Rally stages. Although little haste will be required on the event it would be wise to make much haste in applying for the remaining slots on: www.rpm-motorsport.com/tours, link below

All proceeds will go to CRITICAL, the charity that brings ‘first responder’ critical care to the community.

COLEMAN CONFIRMED

Posted: May 15, 2023 4:57 PM

The legendary Billy Coleman will lead a spectacular parade of historic rally cars and supercars when they set out from the Radisson Blu Little Island Cork on Déjà vu Cork ’23 on the 9th September. The occasion will be the ninth running of the RPM Déjà vu Motorsports events, Déjà vu Cork ’23, the popular rally reunions which benefited local charities.

Not only will Billy be driving over some of the Cork 20 and West Cork rally stages that helped to make the Milllstreet man the most famous rallying name of his era, he will also be accompanied by his long-time co-driver Ronan Morgan when they acquaint themselves with one of the very rare ‘Rothmans’ Porsche 911 SCRS.
The car, on loan from John Mulholland Motors, is a sister car to the 911 that Billy and Ronan used to win the Galway, Donegal and Killarney rallies in. Billy’s record on the south-western events is remarkable.

His first Cork 20 win came in 1970 in his famously scruffy Escort Twin-Cam and that was the first of his three successive victories on the oldest rally in Ireland. His ’71 and ’72 triumphs were behind the wheel of his own Renault Alpine A110.

He won the 1976 Cork 20, and the ’77 and ’80 West Cork rallies in Ford Escort RS1800s before his second career in the Dealer Opel Team Ireland and Rothmans Rally organisations. Those years brought him two more Cork 20 wins in 1984 (DOTI Opel Manta 400) and 1984 (Rothmans Metro 6R4).

Entries for Déjà vu Cork ’23, which will be limited to 140 crew, have now reached 85 and are available on: www.rpm-motorsport.com/tours, link below.

All proceeds will go to CRITICAL, the charity that brings ‘first responder’ critical care to the community.

LADIES WORLD RALLY CHAMPION FOR DÉJÀ VU CORK ‘23

Posted: April 7, 2023 2:48 AM

Louise Aitken-Walker MBE, the 1990 Ladies World Rally Champion has signed up for Déjà vu Cork ’23 on the 8-9 September. Louise first competed in 1979 when she was entered in Ford’s ‘Find A Lady Rally Driver ‘ contest by her brothers, and was selected out of 2000 entrants for the drive.

The pinnacle of her 14-year career was in 1990 when, as the Ladies’ World Rally Champion, she was awarded the Segrave Trophy. This prestigious award is rarely presented, and only to British subjects who have made a remarkable achievement on land, sea, or air. Other recipients include Lewis Hamilton, Stirling Moss, Damon Hill, Amy Johnston and Donald Campbell.

Louise has been a frequent visitor to the Irish stages over the years but the Cork 20 or West Cork Rallies stages will be new to her. She competed on the marathon Circuit of Ireland Rally seven times and was 7th overall in 1983, ‘87, and ’89. Seven seems to be her lucky number in Ireland as in her six appearances on the Ulster International Rally, her 7th place in 1985 was her best result.

Louise, along with her husband Graham, will be at the head of a galaxy of rallying personalities when they head out from the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cork at 10am. on Saturday the 9th September.

Their 140 mile non-competitive run to Clonakilty and back, will take in many of the classic Cork 20 and West Cork Rally stages along the way.

?The popularity of these great rally re-unions is highlighted by the fact that 70 entries have already been received, (almost 50% of the available places), and there are still five months to go.

THREE TIME WEST CORK WINNERS RETURN

Posted: April 7, 2023 2:40 AM

Bob Fowden, Llanelli’s living legend and veteran of over 260 rallies, will return to Ireland for Déjà vu Cork ’23 to be reunited with his long-time partner Jerry Hynes.
Amazingly the bearded Welshman, who has been rallying for over forty years, has taken part in 67 Irish events and his three big wins were all on the West Cork Rally.
Bob started rallying in 1978, driving a Mini on forest events where his speed attracted British Leyland Team Manager John Davenport’s attention. John encouraged Fowden to upgrade to an ex-works Triumph TR7 and he brought that car to the Killarney Rally of the Lakes in 1982 and the West Cork Rally in 1983.
A Rover 3500 Vitesse followed before Bob got into Fords and after many disappointments he finally conquered West Cork in 1995 on his ninth attempt driving a Group A Escort Cosworth.

He and Jerry would repeat that victory again in 1997 and 1999 in Group A Escorts but they will be bringing a rally machine from a much earlier era to Déjá vu Cork ’23, a front-wheel-drive Saab 99 that was first registered in 1979.

DÉJÀ VU CORK ’23 IS PROVIDING ‘CRITICAL’ SUPPORT

Posted: April 7, 2023 2:32 AM

CRITICAL, the charity provides pre-hospital emergency care to critically ill and injured patients in their local communities through its network of volunteer Emergency Medical Responders, has been chosen as the charity for Déjà vu Cork ‘23.

“We are delighted to support CRITICAL. Many people will know the organisation as the charity that was responsible for setting up the Irish Community Air Ambulance. Their new priority is now to bring critical and advanced levels of care to more communities. As they are using a fleet of specially prepared cars for their innovative response vehicles, it seems appropriate that our enthusiastic motorsport orientated entrants will be supporting this very worthwhile initiative.” - Alan Tyndall, RPM Déjà vu Motorsport Director.

Déjà vu Cork ’23 will see 150 historic rallying and supercars, led by legends from the rallying world, leave Little Island in Cork on the 9th of September and embark on a 140-mile non-competitive route to Clonakilty and back, taking in many of the classic Cork 20 and West Cork Rally special stages.

“Our volunteers, use Critical Care response vehicles equipped with specialist medical kit, are tasked to serious incidents by the National Ambulance Service. The equipment which is entirely funded by donors and fundraising events like this, allows our critical and advanced care doctors to use their many years of experience to perform complex and often life-saving medical procedures at the scene. We’re honoured to be chosen by Déjà vu Motorsport as the beneficiaries of their Cork event as it will help us to expand our services to even more communities across the country.” - Micheál Sheridan, CEO of CRITICAL.

CRITICAL has volunteer critical care doctors in Mayo, Donegal and Dublin and will soon have teams in Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, Waterford and Cork. It costs an average of €25,000 to establish an Advanced level Volunteer Doctor in the community and €120,000 to put a new Critical Care response vehicle on the road.

https://communityairambulance.ie/critical/

MULTI TALENTED CHAMPION FOR CORK - Dermot Carnegie enters Déjà vu Cork ’23

Posted: February 28, 2023 9:54 AM

Dermot Carnegie could be described as one of Ireland’s great ‘unsung motoring heroes’, and that’s the way the quiet Dubliner would probably prefer it to remain.

This unassuming drivers car control has enabled him to hop from autotesting to rallying and racing to rallycross and dominate almost every class and discipline that he has contested. Yet on meeting him you have to prize the fact that he has won twenty-six national and international motorsport trophies out of him!

Dermot will be in Cork for Déjà vu Cork ’23 on the 8-9 September in a 1999 Mitsubishi Evo 6, for a relaxed drive over the Cork 20 and West Cork Rally stages while Alan Lucas reads the instructions from the route book.

Carnegie was Hewison Champion ten times in the post war years, when cross-roads autotests were the norm before the days of special stage rallying. He ten went on to master the stages to win the Castlereagh Trophy on one of the five-day Circuit of Ireland Rallies for being the first of the Republic of Ireland entries home.

But it was in the intense competition of rallycross that he broke all the records. Dermott has been eight-times Irish Champion; twice Northern Ireland Champion; and six times British Champion, an almost incredulous feat. However the groaning trophy cabinets in his Killiney home are proof, if it were needed, of his achievements.

A MONTH TO GO ON ‘EARLY BIRD’.
There are now just over four weeks left before the reduced ‘Early Bird’ entries expire on the 31st March. A fifth of the places on Dèjà vu Cork ’23 have already been taken, so get your entries in early!

OUR 'ROUTEMASTER'

Posted: February 28, 2023 9:53 AM

Routemaster? No we have not gone mad and bought a second-hand double-decker bus, but RPM Déjà vu Motorsport’s ‘Routemaster’ for our south-western adventure is Michael ‘Bones’ O’Connor, who was Clerk of the Course for the West Cork Rally on a dozen occasions.

Bones’s route, which starts and finishes at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Little Island in Cork which has been the headquarters for many recent Cork 20s, will take in Cork 20 Rally and West Cork Rally stages. Including the picturesque coastal Old Head and Harbour View tests from the Cork 20’s history and the best known Ardfield and Ring Stages on the West Cork event.

Clonakilty, the colourful, rally mad town, will be an epi-centre of activity at lunchtime on the 9th September with the adjacent Ardfield Stage run after lunch and the iconic Ring Stage, along the eastern shores of the Clonakilty Estuary, run both before and after the lunch break.

But Déjà vu is for more than the petrolheads as ‘Bone’s’ route takes in the homes of two contrasting colossuses of Irish history. Michael Collins the freedom fighter and politician and Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company.

What a day! So many famous Cork stages; visits to historical home lands; spectacular scenery; and as yet to be announced, special attractions in Clonakilty.

If you take it all in, (the stages are optional, so you can leave a few out if you like), you will have covered 140 miles.

Just 6 weeks to go on the reduced EARLY BIRD ENTRIES. They save you £20.00 per car and are available up to the 31st March 2023.

LETTER FROM AMERICA - Brian Powley first International entry for Déjà vu Cork ’23

Posted: February 28, 2023 9:52 AM

Brian Powley is our first International entry for Déjà vu Cork ’23 as the English driver, now a resident of Georgia in the USA, will be returning to the scene of three of his historic Tarmac triumphs.

Brian, with his brother on board, won the historic category on both the West Cork and Cork 20 Rallies in 1989.

He was back to win again in West Cork in 1990 when David Whelan read the notes, and later that year ‘Bones’ O’Connor, the man who has selected the route for Déjà vu Cork ’23, became his regular co-driver.

Brian, has booked a complete table at the Gala Dinner, where his buddies will help him relive the glorious year when he became the first Irish Historic Rally Champion.

EARLY BIRD ENTRIES, saving you £20.00 per car, are available up to the 31st March 2023.

GREER WILL CHOSE FROM HIS HISTORIC FLEET

Posted: February 28, 2023 9:49 AM

The head of DGMSPORT, the Carryduff based rally preparation and historic rally car restorers, will have the pick of his mouth watering collection of cars when he heads south for Déjà vu Cork '23 on the 8-9 September 2003.

The former rally champion may be in his ex-works Group A Escort Cosworth, his replica Russell Brooks Opel Manta 400, or one of his other historic rally cars.

Entries are now open for the 2023 RPM Déjà vu Motorsport adventure, a 130 mile non-competitive trip over the classic Cork 20 and West Cork rally stages.

Those who enter the popular reunion before the 31st March 2023 will save £20.00 per car thanks to the Early Bird entry offer.

THE ‘EARLY BIRD’ GETS THE VARRUM! / Entries Open

Posted: January 31, 2023 1:40 PM

Entries are now open for our 2023 RPM Déjà vu Motorsport adventure, a 130 mile trip over the classic Cork 20 and West Cork rally stages, with a high profile lunch halt in the rally mad West Cork town of Clonakilty.

The last three Déjà vu events in Ireland have been a sell outs so it is wise and prudent to get your entry in early. And as an incentive we are offering you an EARLY BIRD ENTRY FEE, (between the 1st February and the 31st March 2023), that saves you £20.00 per car!

Entries are now open on:

www.rpm-motorsport.com/tours

Registration will open on 1 Feb 23

Posted: August 2, 2021 4:21 PM

REGISTRATION FOR DÉJÀ VU CORK – (8 / 9 September 2023) will open on the 1st February 2023.

Website / Details

Posted: August 2, 2021 4:01 PM

DÉJÀ VU CORK . 8 / 9 September 2023

Plan ahead by reserving the dates of Déjà Vu Cork. The Raddison BLU Hotel at Little Island in County Cork has been reserved for the event and the 140-mile route planned in conjunction with the Munster and Cork Motor Clubs. We will take you along the south coast of Ireland's largest county and through the scenic towns of Kinsale, Clonakilty and Rosscarbery. You will drive the classic Ring and Ardfield stages before returning for Déjà Vu’s traditional entertainment filled dinners at the Raddison.

RPM Motorsport