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Killarney Historic Stages Rally - 3-4 Dec 05

Posted: December 7, 2005 8:54 PM - 31531 Hits

Round 6 - 2005 Southern 4 Rally Championship (Historics Only)

  • Event Report
  • CUNNINGHAMS SEAL HISTORIC RALLY WIN
    Falvey and Barry Win Post-Historics
    Gareth Lloyd and Ryland James win Classic section
    Keenan and Sherry take second Modified victory in a row
  • More Photos.....

Winners: Ray and Elaine Cunningham
Photo: www.roydempster.com

Posted: December 7, 2005 8:54 PM

CUNNINGHAMS SEAL HISTORIC RALLY WIN
Falvey and Barry Win Post-Historics
Gareth Lloyd and Ryland James win Classic Section
Keenan and Sherry take second Modified victory in a row

Ray and Elaine Cunningham have won the 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally in their Mini Cooper S. Having led the event from start to finish, the Galway couple emerged from the final stage of the event, Killmackillogue 2, with an advantage of 34 seconds over their closest challengers, Russell Brookes and Maurice Hamilton. Brookes, the former British Open and Irish Tarmac Champion, on his first competitive outing in five years, set fastest time on a number of today's stages in his Great Stuff Catering/Vodka Kick supported Porsche 911, but Ray Cunningham had built up a sufficent cushion to remain out of reach of the Englishman.

James O'Mahony and Paddy McDonnell from Limerick took third place in his Volvo 140, while Jimmy Devane and Eddie Cronin were the top local finishers, taking seventh place in their Mini Cooper S.

In the Post-Historic section, Killarney & District Motor Club members, Todd Falvey and Dan Barry took victory in a Porsche 911, having finished as runners-up in the same category on last year's rally. Their winning margin was 49 seconds, over the father and son pairing of Joe and Gareth Connolly from Kilkenny, who finished second in a Ford Escort Mk1. Don and Tim Moynihan, who had led the category throughout most of the event, finished third having been off the road on stage nine, Cod's Head 2 - the incident cost them over three minutes and any chance of the Post-Historic win.

Welsh visitors, Gareth Lloyd and Ryland James secured the honours in the Classic category in a Ford Escort RS from Martin Freestone and Joanne Lockwood of The Gambia, also in an Escort, while Tralee's Gerard McCarthy and Paul Horan took third place in a Triumph TR7.

Dessie Keenan and Enda Sherry won the Modified Classic section for the second year in a row, in their Ford Escort RS. The Monaghan crew had half a minute in hand over second place finishers, Kevin and Martin Kelleher, from Clonakilty, also in an Escort. The Killorglin crew of Fergus O'Meara and Dermot Brennan came home in third place.

The rally got underway from Killarney's town centre on Saturday evening, as the Mayor, Councillor Tom Doherty, flagged the competing crews away from the Start Ramp amid the glow of Christmas lights. The first stage was Rockfield, where the roads remained damp after earlier rain, leaving grip at a minimum.

The Cunninghams were fastest in the Historic category on both of the event's first two stages, by a staggering fifteen seconds on the stage one, Rockfield, and by five seconds on stage two, Coolick, leaving them twenty seconds ahead of their closest challengers, Brookes and Hamilton, as the crews returned to Killarney for the night. Brookes proclaimed himself to be "very rusty" after the first stage of what was his first competitive outing in five years. His cause was not aided on stage two, Coolick, when a plug lead gave trouble on the Porsche Centre Dublin backed 911.

Next on the leaderboard after stage one were Mervyn Johnston and Richard Hyland from Fermanagh and local men, Jimmy Devane and Eddie Cronin, in third and fourth places. On stage two they were both overhauled by the Alpine A110 of Vincent Hayes and Mike Clyne.

Don and Tim Moynihan took the lead of the Post-Historic category in their Mark 1 Ford Escort, twelve seconds ahead of John Farrell/Brian Duggan and Todd Falvey/Dan Barry, who tied for second after stage one, twelve seconds off the lead. The Lancia Stratos of top seeds, Steve Perez and Steve Harris, emerged from stage one in seventh place, after the co-driver's reading light failed to function. They had a cleaner run through stage two, recovering to fourth place, while Farrell and Duggan dropped back to sixth after stalling on the start line. Todd Falvey reduced Don Moynihan's advantage by one second, while Joe and Gareth Connolly slotted into third place.

At the conclusion of the two Saturday night stages, Martin Freestone lead the Classic category by eighteen seconds from Gareth Lloyd, while Gerard McCarthy moved into third in his Triumph TR7.

In the Modified Classic category, Meathman, Pat Donegan and his Ardfert co-driver, Jakes Kelly were fastest on the opening stage, recording a time of 5 mins, 55 secs. The Killarney crew of Charlie and Johnny Hickey were second quickest, on 6.06, while last year's Modified victors, Dessie Keenan and Enda Sherry, were third on 6.12, despite being concerned about one of the cylinders in their Escort. Fourth place was occupied by another local crew, Kevin O'Donoghue and Joe O'Leary (who took second in the category in 2003), but they expressed concern at the wayward handling of their Escort. Killorglin driver, Fergus O'Meara and his navigator, Dermot Brennan, occupied fifth.

On the second test, Pat Donegan lost half a minute when he overshot a junction, and then damaged his gearbox in his efforts to correct the mishap, dropping him to sixth position. The Hickeys took over at the head of the Modified leaderboard, while O'Donoghue/O'Leary moved ahead of Keenan/Sherry into second place, while O'Meara/Brennan were promoted to fourth. Peter Kelly and Con Lucey added to the local dominance of the Modified leaderboard, holding fifth.

The Rally resumed on Sunday morning, with the famous Molls Gap the opening test of the day. Cunningham extended his lead in the Historics in the early part of the day, while Mervyn Johnston and Richard Hyland (Mini Cooper S) moved ahead of Brookes and Hamilton, occupying second place briefly. The Porsche crew regained the advantage on first run over the Healy Pass, and they also narrowed the gap to the Cunninghams slightly in the afternoon, but were unable to make up the difference to the leaders.

James O'Mahony and Paddy McDonnell moved into third place on stage six, Cod's Head, at the expense of Johnston and Hyland. The only other change to the Historic leaderboard saw Les Allfrey and Kevin Devine take fifth place from David Liddel and Alec Cooper on the penultimate stage, Ardgroom 2. The Killarney & District Motor Club crew of Jimmy Devane and Eddie Cronin finished seventh, in Eddie's Mini Cooper S.

The Post-Historic order top three remained unchanged for much of the day, Don Moynihan leading from Todd Falvey and Joe Connolly, until the Moynihans' incident occurred three stages from home. They dropped to fourth behind Boston-based Frank Cunningham (brother of Historic winner, Ray) and Aaron Forde, only making it into third place on the final stage. Cunningham/Forde finished fourth, followed by Andrew Street and Jez Mason (Porsche 911) and John Keatley and James McKeefry (Ford Escort). John Farrell and Brian Duggan gained two places on the Post-Historic leaderboard on Molls Gap, rising to fourth place, but then retired on Killmackillogue when the Escort's clutch failed. Steve Perez and Steve Harris in the Lancia Stratos had a myriad of mechanical problems and eventually went over their time limit.

On the morning run through Killmackillogue, Martin Freestone picked up a puncture in his Escort RS, leaving Gareth Lloyd (driving a similar car) through into the lead of the Classics, and that was the way the Classic order remained for the rest of the rally.

In the Modified Classics, the morning's first two stages saw a number of retirements among the top runners. The overnight leaders, Charlie and John Hickey, went out when they picked up two punctures on Molls Gap, while Peter Kelly and Con Lucey crashed their Escort. Pat Donegan and Jakes Kelly rolled on Killmackillogue, and they too were forced into retirement. Kevin O'Donoghue and Joe O'Leary were fastest over the Gap, and moved into the Classic lead, but they then crashed out of the event on stage five, the Healy Pass. Dessie Keenan and Enda Sherry again found themselves in second place after Molls Gap, but dropped back to third on the Healy having stopped to assist at Kevin O'Donoghue's accident. Donegal's Martin McGee set a very quick time in the wet over the Healy to move to the head of the field. Kevin and Martin Kelleher occupied second at this point, on what was an ever-changing leaderboard.

Last year's Modified runners-up, Dave Slattery and Ger Somers were now fourth, but they later retired with clutch problems. The Kelleher brothers moved into the lead on stage six, Cod's Head, as Martin McGee and co-driver, Arthur Kierns, joined the list of retirements. The Kellehers too, had considerable trouble with their Escort's clutch, but they were able to carry on.

The next stage, Ardgroom, saw Keenan and Sherry move ahead of the Kellehers by four seconds. Fergus O'Meara and Dermot Brennan occupied third place, while Rathmore driver, Brendan Dennehy (navigated by West Cork man, Willie Buchanan) moved into fourth, but he too later retired, on the second run through Cod's Head, when his Talbot Sunbeam blew its clutch. The Modified order remained Keenan, Kelleher, O'Meara to the finish, Keenan repeating his victory of twelve months ago.

The Junior Killarney Historic Stages Rally saw the Longford crew of Tommy Doyle and Ruth Guest as the only finishers, from the original eight starters.

The 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally is organised by Killarney & District Motor Club and supported by Randles Hotels, Kerry & West Cork; Remax Properties, Kenmare & Killarney; Failte Ireland; EPS Bison Environmental Products Division; the Christmas in Killarney Festival and Killarney Crystal.

HISTORIC
1 Ray Cunningham/Elaine Cunningham (Mini Cooper S) 2h 02m 04s,
2 Russell Brookes/Maurice Hamilton (Porsche 911) 2h 02m 38s,
3 James O'Mahony/Paddy McDonnell (Volvo 144) 2h 03m 23s,
4 Mervyn Johnston/Richard Hyland (Mini Cooper S) 2h 04m 59s,
5 Les Allfrey/Kevin Devine (Mini Cooper S) 2h 09m 41s,
6 David Liddell/Alec Cooper (Triumph TR4) 2h 10m 14s.

Class winners:
Jimmy Devane/Eddie Cronin (Mini Cooper S),
Mervyn Johnston/Richard Hyland,
Cathal O'Carroll/Colm Doherty (Mini Cooper S),
James O'Mahony/Paddy McDonnell,
Russell Brookes/Maurice Hamilton,
Kevin Bradley/Ollie Harvey (Cortina).

Leaders
SS1-11 Ray Cunningham/Elaine Cunningham (Morris Mini Cooper S)

Stage Winners
SS1 Ray Cunningham/Elaine Cunningham (Morris Mini Cooper S)
SS2 Ray Cunningham/Elaine Cunningham (Morris Mini Cooper S)
SS3 Ray Cunningham/Elaine Cunningham (Morris Mini Cooper S)
SS4 Ray Cunningham/Elaine Cunningham (Morris Mini Cooper S)
SS5 Ray Cunningham/Elaine Cunningham (Morris Mini Cooper S)
SS6 Ray Cunningham/Elaine Cunningham (Morris Mini Cooper S)
SS7 James O'Mahony/Paddy McDonnell (Volvo 140)
SS8 Russell Brookes/Maurice Hamilton (Porsche 911)
SS9 Russell Brookes/Maurice Hamilton (Porsche 911)
SS10 Russell Brookes/Maurice Hamilton (Porsche 911)
SS11 James O'Mahony/Paddy McDonnell (Volvo 140)


POST-HISTORICS:
1 Todd Falvey/Dan Barry (Porsche 911) 1h 58m 41s,
2 Joe Connolly/Gareth Connolly (Escort) 1h 59m 30s,
3 Don Moynihan/Tim Moynihan (Escort) 2h 01m 13s,
4 Frank Cunningham/Arron Forde (Escort) 2h 01m 44s,
5 Andrew Street/Jez Mason (Porsche 911) 2h 02m 39s,
6 John Keatley/James McKeefry (Escort) 2h 03m 05s.

Class winners:
Martin Kehoe/Barty Daye (Mini Cooper S),
Liam Sheehan/Alan Harrington (Escort),
Joe Connolly/Gareth Connolly,
Andrew Street/Jez Mason.

Leaders
SS1-8 Don Moynihan/Tim Moynihan (Ford Escort Mk1)
SS9-11 Todd Falvey/Dan Barry (Porsche 911)

Stage Winners
SS1 Don Moynihan/Tim Moynihan (Ford Escort Mk1)
SS2 Todd Falvey/Dan Barry (Porsche 911)
SS3 Don Moynihan/Tim Moynihan (Ford Escort Mk1)
SS4 Don Moynihan/Tim Moynihan (Ford Escort Mk1)
SS5 Mike Doody/Richard O'Mahony (Morris Mini)
SS6 Todd Falvey/Dan Barry (Porsche 911)
SS7 Todd Falvey/Dan Barry (Porsche 911)
SS8 Don Moynihan/Tim Moynihan (Ford Escort Mk1)
SS9 Todd Falvey/Dan Barry (Porsche 911)
SS10 Todd Falvey/Dan Barry (Porsche 911)
SS11 Don Moynihan/Tim Moynihan (Ford Escort Mk1)

CLASSICS:
1 Gareth Lloyd/Ryland James (Escort) 1h 56m 46s,
2 Martin Freestone/Joanne Lockwood (Escort) 1h 59m 31s,
3 Gerard McCarthy/Paul Horan (Triumph TR7) 2h 05m 57s.

Leaders
SS1-3 Martin Freestone/Joanne Lockwood (Ford Escort RS1800)
SS3-11 Gareth Lloyd/Ryland James (Ford Escort RS1800)

Stages Winners
SS1 Martin Freestone/Joanne Lockwood (Ford Escort RS1800)
SS2 Martin Freestone/Joanne Lockwood (Ford Escort RS1800)
SS3 Martin Freestone/Joanne Lockwood (Ford Escort RS1800)
SS4 Gareth Lloyd/Ryland James (Ford Escort RS1800)
SS5 Gareth Lloyd/Ryland James (Ford Escort RS1800)
SS6 Gareth Lloyd/Ryland James (Ford Escort RS1800)
SS7 Gareth Lloyd/Ryland James (Ford Escort RS1800)
SS8 Gareth Lloyd/Ryland James (Ford Escort RS1800)
SS9 Gareth Lloyd/Ryland James (Ford Escort RS1800)
SS10 Gareth Lloyd/Ryland James (Ford Escort RS1800)
SS11 Gareth Lloyd/Ryland James (Ford Escort RS1800)

MODIFIED CLASSICS:
1 Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Ford Escort) 1h 54m 50s,
2 Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher (Ford Escort) 1h 55m 20s,
3 Fergus O'Meara/Dermot Brennan (Ford Escort) 1h 57m 53s,
4 Russell Woods/Stuart Clarke (Ford Escort) 1h 58m 01s.
5 Eamon McElvaney/Alan Keena (Ford Escort) 1h 58m 40s,
6 John Tully/Brian Doherty (Ford Escort) 1h 58m 50s,

Class winners:
Simon Evans/Barry Faul (Mini Cooper S),
John Hennessy/Jim Crowe (Escort),
Noel O'Sullivan/Nicky Burke (Escort),
Russell Woods/Stuart Clarke,
Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher,
Mike Quinn/Sean Enright (Escort).

Leaders
SS1 Pat Donegan/Jakes Kelly (Ford Escort)
SS2 Charlie Hickey/Johnny Hickey (Ford Escort)
SS3-4 Kevin O'Donoghue/Joe O'Leary (Ford Escort)
SS5 Martin McGee/Arthur Kierans (Ford Escort)
SS6 Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher (Ford Escort)
SS7-11 Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Ford Escort)

Stage Winners
SS1 Pat Donegan/Jakes Kelly (Ford Escort)
SS2 Charlie Hickey/Johnny Hickey (Ford Escort)
SS3 Kevin O'Donoghue/Joe O'Leary (Ford Escort)
SS4 Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Ford Escort)
SS5 Martin McGee/Arthur Kierans (Ford Escort)
SS6 Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Ford Escort)
SS7 Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Ford Escort)
SS8 Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Ford Escort)
SS9 Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Ford Escort)
SS10 Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Ford Escort)
SS11 Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Ford Escort)

JUNIORS:
1 Tommy Doyle/Ruth Guest (Escort) 1h 21m 05s.

Post Historic Winners - Todd Falvey/Dan Barry (Porsche 911)
Photo: www.roydempster.com


Classic Winners - Gareth Lloyd/Ryland James (Ford Escort RS1800)
Photo: www.roydempster.com


Modifed Winners - Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Ford Escort)
Photo: www.roydempster.com

PRE EVENT NEWS
  • PEREZ STRATOS TO DRAW CROWDS TO KILLARNEY HISTORIC RALLY
    McRae & McGarrity out.
    Event Route
  • Entry Lists
    Historic & Post Historic
    Classic & Modified
    Junior
  • HISTORIC RALLY MARKS KILLARNEY RETURN FOR BROOKES
  • Get your Entries in Early!
  • KILLARNEY HISTORIC RALLY ADOPTS TWO-DAY FORMAT
    Derek McGarrity to Drive Mk II Escort.
  • New Category for Classic Historic Rally Cars
  • New Junior Category
  • Regulations available to download
29/11/05
PEREZ STRATOS TO DRAW CROWDS TO KILLARNEY HISTORIC RALLY
The 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally will get underway next Saturday evening at 4.30pm, when the Lancia Stratos of top seed, Steve Perez, crosses the Start Ramp in the centre of Killarney town. Perez, from Clay Cross in Derbyshire, was the winner of this event in 2003. He debuted the Stratos on the Roger Albert Clark Rally in Britain last week, and the appearance of this spectacular supercar on the Killarney Historic Rally is certain to draw large crowds of motorsport fans to the south-west. The Mayor of Killarney, Councillor Tom Doherty, will flag competitors away from the Ramp, and the crews will tackle two special stages that evening. The addition of these two stages to the route on Saturday will see the event spread over two days for the first time since its inception in 1996.

The Lancia Stratos won virtually everything there was to win in rallying throughout the world in the mid-1970s. Perez's example is entered for this event in the Post-Historic category, for cars built between 1968 and 1974. Among the other contenders for Post-Historic victory will be last year's runner-up, Todd Falvey. The local man drives a Porsche 911 and will be navigated by Millstreet's Dan Barry. Also in contention will be former Post-Historic victor, John Farrell (Ford Escort), whose navigator, Brian Duggan, originally hails from the Healy Pass, one of the stages of the rally.

In the headline Historic category for cars built before 1968, former British Open and Irish Tarmac Rally Champion, Russell Brookes returns to active competition for the first time in five years to tackle the 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally. He will drive a Porsche 911, provided by Blackburn-based Tony Arnold, and backed by Great Stuff Caterers, Porsche Centre Ireland and Vodka Kick. His main rival for honours in the Historic category is expected to be Derry's John Keatley, the winner of the very first Killarney Historic Rally in 1996. Keatley will also drive a Porsche 911.

The newly introduced Classic category, for cars built between 1975 and 1981 running in their original competition specification, will be fought out between Welshman, Gareth Lloyd and The Gambia resident, Martin Freestone. Both will drive version of the Mark 2 Ford Escort RS. The Classic category has attracted a handful of entries for its first year, but the event organisers anticipate stronger interest in the future.

The Modified category for cars built between 1975 and 1979 (previously referred to as 'Classic') sees three local drivers among the expected front runners. Kevin O'Donoghue and Dave Slattery were the Classic runners-up in 2003 and 2004 respectively, and both will mount a big effort to go one better this time around, as will another Killarney resident, Donie O'Sullivan, who finished second in the Rally of the Lakes in 2003.

The top seed in the Modified category is Monaghan man, Dessie Keenan, winner of the Classics in 2004. Other contenders include Meathman Pat Donegan (third in 2004), who will be navigated by Ardfert's Jakes Kelly, and Clonakilty's Kevin Kelleher, winner of the Mark 2 Challenge in Carlow earlier in this year.

Former Irish Tarmac Rally Champion, Billy Coleman, is to drive a Course Car on the 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally on behalf of the organisers, Killarney & District Motor Club. He will pilot an ex-works Prodrive BMW M3, similar to those he drove while contracted to the Rothmans Rally Team in the 1980s. The M3 in question was used by Francois Chatriot during its time with the Prodrive squad, and is now owned by Galway's Martin Ward. Martin's son, Robbie, will co-drive for Coleman. Robbie normally navigates for fellow countyman, JJ Fleming, in Ford and Subaru World Rally Cars. Martin Ward, meanwhile, will compete on the event in his Opel Manta A in the Post-Historic section.

The newly-crowned 023 Tiles Southern Four Rally Champion, Denis Cronin, will also drive his BMW M3 as a Course Car on 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally. Cronin's M3 is also an ex-works car, having been allocated to Bernard Beguin, Marc Duez and Billy Coleman in the past.

Ger Buckley, winner of the National Rally Championship in 1979 and 1980, is one of the event's sponsors through the family company, EPS, and he also hopes to drive a Ford Escort as a Course Car, guided by his navigator of old, John Caplice.

Following the two stages on Saturday night, the competing crews will return to Killarney for the overnight halt. Nine further stages follow on Sunday, with the winning Historic crew due to return to the Finish Ramp at Randles Garage shortly before 4.30pm. The 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally is supported by Randles Hotels, Killarney and West Cork; Failte Ireland; Remax Properties, Killarney and Kenmare; EPS Environmental Products Division; the Christmas in Killarney Festival and Killarney Crystal.

McRae & McGarrity out.
* Former Irish Tarmac Rally Champion, Derek McGarrity, who intended to take part in the 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally, has withdrawn his entry as the car he was due to drive, a Ford Escort RS, sustained damage during the recent Kerry Single Stage Rally. Last year's Post-Historic victor, Jimmy McRae, has also pulled out as his Porsche 911 blew its engine during the Roger Albert Clark Rally.

2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally - Route
Saturday 3rd December
Start Ramp: Market Cross, Killarney 16:30
SS1: Rockfield
SS2: Coolick
Parc Fermé (In): Killarney Racecourse 18:56


Sunday December 4th
Parc Fermé (Out): Killarney Racecourse 07:45
SS3: Molls Gap
Service: Kenmare
SS4: Kilmackillogue
SS5: Healy Pass
Service: Adrigole-Castletownbere Road
SS6: Cod's Head
SS7: Ardgroom
SS8: Healy Pass
Service: Adrigole-Castletownbere Road
SS9: Cod's Head
SS10: Ardgroom
SS11: Kilmackillogue
Finish Ramp: Randles Garage, Muckross Road 16:27

Prizegiving: The Shelbourne Suite, Dromhall Hotel 21:00

22/11/05 Position Driver/Co-Driver (Car) [Class Event]
Historic/Post Historic
1 Jimmy McRae/TBA (Porsche 911) [10 POSTHISTORIC]
2 Steve Perez/Neil Dashfield (Lancia Stratos) [10 POSTHISTORIC]
3 John Farrell/Brian Duggan (Ford Escort RS) [9 POSTHISTORIC]
4 Todd Falvey/Dan Barry (Porsche 911) [10 POSTHISTORIC]
5 Don Moynihan/Tim Moynihan (Ford Escort Mk1) [9 POSTHISTORIC]
6 John Keatley/James McKeefry (Porsche 911) [5 HISTORIC]
7 Russell Brookes/Maurice Hamilton (Porsche 911) [6 HISTORIC]
8 Joe Connolly/Gareth Connolly (Ford Escort) [9 POSTHISTORIC]
9 Denis Moynihan/Dan Moynihan (Ford Escort Mk1) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
10 Adrian Kermode/Maurice Beckett (Porsche 911) [10 POSTHISTORIC]
11 Frank Cunningham/Aaron Forde (Ford Escort Mk1) [9 POSTHISTORIC]
12 Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh (Ford Escort Mk1) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
14 Sean Treacy/A Bush (BMW 2002) [9 POSTHISTORIC]
15 Andrew Street/Jez Mason (Porsche 911) [10 POSTHISTORIC]
16 Liam Sheehan/Alan Harrington (Ford Escort Mk1) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
17 Kevin Flanagan/Adrian Parry (Morris Mini) [7 POSTHISTORIC]
18 Mike Doody/Richard O'Mahony (Morris Mini) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
19 Mervyn Johnston/Richard Hyland (Austin Cooper S) [2 HISTORIC]
20 Ray Cunningham/Elaine Cunningham (Morris Mini) [2 HISTORIC]
21 Martin Ward/Linda Conroy (Opel Manta) [9 POSTHISTORIC]
22 David Liddell/Alec Cooper (Triumph TR4) [4 HISTORIC]
23 Les Allfrey/Kevin Devine (Austin Cooper S) [2 HISTORIC]
24 Ray Hilliard/TBA (Ford Escort RS) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
25 Barry Duggan/Pat Cashman (Ford Escort Mk1) [9 POSTHISTORIC]
26 John Fleming/David Fleming (Morris Mini) [2 HISTORIC]
27 Noel Hurley/Neil O'Shea (Saab 99) [10 POSTHISTORIC]
28 Martin Sheahan/Ger Clancy (Ford Escort) [9 POSTHISTORIC]
29 Brian Miller/Sean Flanagan (Austin Mini Cooper S) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
30 Vincent Hayes/Mike Clyne (Alpine Allo) [3 HISTORIC]
31 Craig MacWilliam/John O'Reilly (Ford RS2000) [9 POSTHISTORIC]
32 Vinnie Frontinan/Ross Forde (Morris Mini) [7 POSTHISTORIC]
33 John F Golden/Gary McElhinney (Austin Cooper S) [2 HISTORIC]
34 Jimmy Devane/Eddie Cronin (Austin Mini Cooper) [1 HISTORIC]
35 Frank O'Mahony/TBA (Austin Mini) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
36 Martin Kehoe/Barty Daye (Austin Mini Cooper S) [7 POSTHISTORIC]
37 Paul Wignall/Martyn Griffiths (Porsche 911) [10 POSTHISTORIC]
38 Robert Rohu/Vincent Coughlan (Ford Escort) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
39 Leo Doyle/Alistair Chambers (Ford Escort) [9 POSTHISTORIC]
40 Kevin Bradley/Ollie Harvey (Ford Cortina) [6 HISTORIC]
41 Martin Creaven/Shane Creaven (Ford Escort Mk1) [9 POSTHISTORIC]
42 Ernest Stewart/TBA (Chrysler Hunter) [9 POSTHISTORIC]
43 Peter Egerton/Simon Staddon (Ford Escort) [17 POSTHISTORIC]
44 Cathal O'Carroll/Colm Doherty (Morris Mini) [3 HISTORIC]
45 Trevor Cusack/Shane Crowley (Ford Escort Mk1) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
46 Bernard Bradley/Ian MacWilliam (Ford Escort Mexico) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
47 Mike Leather/Bryan Thomas (Hillman Avenger) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
48 John Curran/Jason O'Callaghan (Ford Escort Mk1) [3 HISTORIC]
49 John O'Toole/TBA (Ford Escort Mk1) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
50 Alan Honess/Tim Sayer (Ford Cortina) [3 HISTORIC]
51 Lyndon Rees/Fin Mackintosh (Austin Mini) [2 HISTORIC]
52 Aaron Tracey/Alan Tracey (Austin Mini Cooper S) [2 HISTORIC]
53 Mike Smith/David Ryan (Volvo 140) [4 HISTORIC]
54 Denis Cummins/Jonathon Kelly (Austin Mini) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
56 Mike Devine/John Devine (Ford Escort) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
57 Niall Keane/Sean Henehan (Hillman Avenger) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
58 Donal O'Connor/Vincent Fagan (Ford Escort Mk1) [9 POSTHISTORIC]
59 Peter Keohane/Emma Giles (Morris Mini) [1 HISTORIC]
60 Dennis Turner/Andrew Turner (Ford Lotus Cortina) [3 HISTORIC]
61 Edward Hallahan/Barry Murphy (Ford Escort Mk1) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
62 Billy Cavanagh/Dorothy Cavanagh (Ford Escort Mk1) [7 POSTHISTORIC]
63 Phil Foster/Tracey (Bubbles) Wood (Ford Anglia) [2 HISTORIC]
64 Liam Mulcaire/Shane Meade (Ford Escort Mk1) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
65 Eric Davis/Russell Joseph (Austin Mini) [7 POSTHISTORIC]
66 Philip Walsh/Patrick Walsh (Ford Escort Mk1) [7 POSTHISTORIC]
67 Pat Inkle/Ian Murray (Ford Escort) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
68 Nigel Dutson/Martin Flannery (Austin Mini) [7 POSTHISTORIC]
69 Gerald Byrne/Derek Tobin (Ford Escort) [9 POSTHISTORIC]
70 Eric Martin/Trevor Barlow (Austin Mini Cooper S) [2 HISTORIC]
71 Andrew Shiel/Shane Cunning (Austin Mini) [2 HISTORIC]
72 Chris Jennings/Wiz Corns (Volvo Amazon) [3 HISTORIC]
73 Rosemary Smith/Gina Unknown (Hillman Imp) [1 HISTORIC]
74 Leslie Branagan/Graham Randall (Morris Mini) [7 POSTHISTORIC]
75 Michael Cremin/John O'Shea (Ford Escort Mk1) [9 POSTHISTORIC]
76 Andy Hennessy/Peter Murphy (Hillman Imp) [1 HISTORIC]
77 James O'Mahony/Paddy McDonnell (Volvo 140) [4 HISTORIC]
78 Mick Coffey/Jimmy Loonam (Ford Escort Mexico) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
79 Eilir Wyn Morris/Declan Stafford (Ford Escort) [9 POSTHISTORIC]
80 Thomas O'Brien/Kieran Geary (Ford Escort) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
81 Phil Morton/Steve Waggett (Datsun Coupe) [7 POSTHISTORIC]
82 Jack O'Shea/Keith Moriarty (Austin Mini) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
83 Seamus Howley/Darren Coady (Austin Mini) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
84 John Hackett/Michael Hackett (Austin Mini) [7 POSTHISTORIC]
85 Anthony Devine/Margaret Devine (Austin Mini) [7 POSTHISTORIC]
86 Paul Mitchell/TBA (Austin Mini) [7 POSTHISTORIC]
87 Jason O'Connor/TBA (Ford Escort) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
88 Edward Gibbons/Michael Twomey (Hillman Avenger) [8 POSTHISTORIC]
89 Lloyd Dale Cochrane/Marcus Newman (Ford Cortina) [3 HISTORIC]

Classic / Modifed
90 Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Ford Escort) [18 MODIFIED]
91 Dave Slattery/Ger Somers (Ford Escort) [17 MODIFIED]
92 Donie O'Sullivan/Paul Nagle (Ford Escort Mk2) [18 MODIFIED]
93 Pat Donegan/Jakes Kelly (Ford Escort) [18 MODIFIED]
94 Kevin O'Donoghue/Joe O'Leary (Ford Escort Mk2) [18 MODIFIED]
95 James Coleman/Eoin O'Neill (Ford Escort) [17 MODIFIED]
96 Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher (Ford Escort Mk2) [17 MODIFIED]
97 Peter Kelly/Con Lucey (Ford Escort) [18 MODIFIED]
98 Gareth Lloyd/Ryland James (Ford Escort Mk2) [D5 CLASSIC]
99 Kieran O'Neill/Andrew Donoghue (Opel Kadett) [17 MODIFIED]
100 Wesley Patterson/Bob Kelly (Ford Escort RS) [17 MODIFIED]
101 Martin McGee/Damian Crawford (Ford Escort) [14 MODIFIED]
102 Enda O'Brien/John Butler (Ford Escort Mk2) [16 MODIFIED]
103 Mike Quinn/Sean Enright (Ford Escort) [18 MODIFIED]
104 Brendan Dennehy/Willie Buchanan (Talbot Sunbeam) [17 MODIFIED]
105 Rob Alderman/Paula Alderman (Ford Escort) [17 MODIFIED]
106 Derek Brennan/Robbie Webster (Ford Escort Mk1) [16 MODIFIED]
107 Lloyd Hutchinson/Lester Hutchinson (Morris Mini) [16 MODIFIED]
108 James O'Sullivan/Adrian Deasy (Ford Escort Mk2) [17 MODIFIED]
109 Charlie Hickey/Johnny Hickey (Ford Escort RS) [17 MODIFIED]
110 Adrian Randles/Aileen Randles (Ford Escort Mk2) [17 MODIFIED]
111 John Fitzsimons/Tom Clinton (Ford Escort Mk2) [13 MODIFIED]
112 John Tully/Brian Doherty (Ford Escort Mk2) [ MODIFIED]
113 Mike Deane/Des McCarthy (Ford Escort Mk2) [16 MODIFIED]
114 Eamon McElvaney/Alan Keena (Ford Escort Mk2) [16 MODIFIED]
115 Peter Hughes/Chris Evans (Ford Escort) [14 MODIFIED]
116 Fergus O'Meara/Dermot Brennan (Ford Escort) [17 MODIFIED]
117 Seamus Murphy/Graham Kelly (Ford Escort Mk2) [16 MODIFIED]
118 Geoffrey Dolan/Adrian Brolly (Talbot Sunbeam) [17 MODIFIED]
119 Bill Cook/Andy Gibson (Talbot Sunbeam) [D5 CLASSIC]
120 Cyril Wharton/Paul O'Shea (Ford Escort) [13 MODIFIED]
121 Joe O'Sullivan/Donal Falvey (Opel Manta) [17 MODIFIED]
122 Dermot O'Sullivan/Paul O'Sullivan (TBA) [ MODIFIED]
123 Noel O'Sullivan/Nicky Burke (Ford Escort) [15 MODIFIED]
124 Paudie O'Callaghan/Padraig Dineen (Toyota Starlet) [12 MODIFIED]
125 Conor Cavanagh/James Jordan (Ford Escort Mk2) [ MODIFIED]
126 Anthony Lynch/Dominick Lynch (Ford Escort Mk1) [17 MODIFIED]
127 Keith Naughton/Keith Tierney (Ford Escort) [12 MODIFIED]
128 Seamus Anderson/Brian O'Neill (Ford Escort Mk2) [14 MODIFIED]
129 Michael O'Sullivan/Donnacha O'Callaghan (Ford Escort Mk2) [14 MODIFIED]
130 Brian Doyle/Sean Haye (Ford Escort Mk2) [17 MODIFIED]
131 John Hennessy/Jim Crowe (Ford Escort RS) [14 MODIFIED]
132 Diarmuid Lynch/Dan Keane (Ford Escort Mk2) [13 MODIFIED]
133 Tony Murphy/Brid Murphy (Ford Escort) [17 MODIFIED]
134 Gene Callan/Sean Brunton (Ford Escort) [14 MODIFIED]
135 Michael Gaine/Mark Horgan (Ford Escort) [13 MODIFIED]
136 Peter Leahy/Lewis Wilson (Talbot Sunbeam) [16 MODIFIED]
137 Noel Curtin/Sean Curtin (Ford Escort Mk2) [17 MODIFIED]
138 Pat Looney/Ronald Riordan (Ford Fiesta) [13 MODIFIED]
139 John Riordan/Eddie Murphy (Ford Escort) [ MODIFIED]
140 Martin Quirke/John Hurley (Talbot Sunbeam) [16 MODIFIED]
141 Brian Crawford/Finian Hanigan (Talbot Sunbeam) [13 MODIFIED]
142 Paddy O'Connor/Diarmuid O'Mahony (Ford Fiesta) [12 MODIFIED]
143 Dan Murphy/Stephen Ferriter (Talbot Sunbeam) [16 MODIFIED]
144 Owen Crowley/John Caverly (Ford Escort) [12 MODIFIED]
145 Albert Kelly/Ann Walsh (Vauxhall Chevette) [13 MODIFIED]
146 Daniel O'Donoghue/Kevin Moran (Talbot Sunbeam) [16 MODIFIED]
147 Johnny Fitzgerald/Jerry McCarthy (Ford Escort Mk2) [13 MODIFIED]
148 John Harty/John Collins (Ford Escort Mk2) [13 MODIFIED]
149 Patrick Randles/Derry O'Mahony (Ford Escort) [13 MODIFIED]
150 John Boyle/Sharon Boyle (Ford Escort Mk2) [14 MODIFIED]
151 Diarmuid Danagher/Willie Broderick (Ford Escort Mk2) [13 MODIFIED]
152 Patrick Shanahan Jnr/Joey Irwin (Toyota Starlet) [16 MODIFIED]
153 Con Mulcahy/Jonathon Keane (Talbot Sunbeam) [13 MODIFIED]

Junior
J1 Barry Meade/Colin Fitzgerald (Ford Escort) [J2 JUNIOR]
J2 Brian McSweeney/Gerry Myers (Ford Escort Mk2) [J2 JUNIOR]
J3 Seamus Cooke/Gerard Hyland (Ford Escort Mk2) [J1 JUNIOR]
J4 Liam Howlett/Leo Tector (Talbot Sunbeam) [J2 JUNIOR]
J5 Barry Murphy/Seamus O'Grady (Ford Escort) [J2 JUNIOR]
J6 Barry Ryan/TBA (Ford Escort) [J2 JUNIOR]
J7 Ciaran Casey/Paul Reck (Talbot Sunbeam) [J2 JUNIOR]
J8 Chris Greene/David Coady (Austin Mini) [J1 JUNIOR]
J9 Brian Warren/Michael Brennan (Ford Escort) [J2 JUNIOR]
J10 Aiden O'Keeffe/Damien O'Kane (Ford Escort) [J2 JUNIOR]


(Reserve list has not been available to me.)

08/11/05
HISTORIC RALLY MARKS KILLARNEY RETURN FOR BROOKES
The 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally has received a significant boost with the news that former British Open Rally Champion and Irish Tarmac Rally Champion, Russell Brookes, is to enter the event in a Porsche 911. Brookes, who won the Circuit of Ireland Rally in 1978 and 1983, was the guest of honour at the Official Launch of the Rally, which took place this evening at the Dromhall Hotel. The Killarney Historic Stages Rally, which will take place on December 3rd and 4th, is organised by Killarney & District Motor Club.

Speaking at the launch, Brookes said: "I am delighted to be able to take part in the 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally, this has really made my year. The last time I was in Killarney was for the Rally of the Lakes in 1989, when I won the event and the Irish Tarmac Championship, so this will be very much like returning home." The Porsche 911 which Brookes will drive will be backed by Great Stuff Catering, Vodka Kick and Porsche Centre Dublin. (Adrian Kermode finished third in the 2003 Killarney Historic Rally in the same car). Brookes will be navigated by Maurice Hamilton, who is the Formula One commentator for BBC Radio Five and motorsport correspondent for the Guardian newspaper.

The launch of the 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally was also attended by the Mayor of Killarney, Cllr. Tom Doherty and representatives of the event’s sponsors, including Ms. Bernadette Randles of Randles Hotels, Killarney and West Cork; Mr. Patrick O’Donoghue of Failte Ireland; Mr. Declan O’Donoghue of Remax Properties, Killarney and Kenmare; Mr. Pat Buckley of EPS Environmental Products Division; Mr. Michael O'Shea of the Christmas in Killarney Festival and Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce; and Mr. John Claffey of Killarney Crystal.

Aside from Russell Brookes, a number of other very successful drivers have signaled their intentions to take part in the 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally. Steve Perez, the winner of the event in 2003, is to return this year with a Lancia Stratos, which will run in the Post-Historic category. It will be the first time that one of the diminutive Italian supercars has been seen on the Killarney Historic Rally. Jimmy McRae, the winner of the Post-Historics last year, is also set to return to the event. The car he will drive has yet to be finalised but is likely to be a Post-Historic Porsche 911, which will be supported by Remax Properties, Killarney & Kenmare.

Twice former Irish Tarmac Rally Champion, Derek McGarrity, is to swop the latest specification Subaru Impreza World Rally Car to which he is accustomed for a Mark 2 Ford Escort to take part in the Historic Rally. The Glengormley driver will be navigated by the car's owner, Limerickman Frank Sweeney. Among McGarrity's rivals for honours in the Modified Classic Category will be Killarney's own Donie O'Sullivan, who returns to competition following a sabbatical. O'Sullivan will also drive a Mark 2 Escort. His most recent outing was on the 2004 Rallye Catalunya in Spain in a Ford Focus WRC. The local challenge will also include Kevin O'Donoghue in a Classic Escort, and Todd Falvey in a Post-Historic Porsche 911.

Dublin's Rosemary Smith, whose rallying exploits in the 1960s and '70s made her a household name, has also entered the 2005 Killarney Historic Rally. A former works driver with Rootes, Ford, Porsche, Chrysler and British Leyland, and winner of the 1965 Tulip Rally in the Netherlands, Smith will pilot a Hillman Imp.

There will be four separate rallies running in parallel during the Killarney Historic Stages event, namely Historic (for Pre 1968 cars), Post-Historic (for cars built between 1968 and 1974), Classic (for cars built between 1975 and 1981 with full FIA Homologation Papers) and Modified Classic (for other cars built between 1975 and 1979).

The 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally will commence at 4.30pm on Saturday, December 3rd, with the ceremonial Start at the Market Cross in Killarney Town Centre. Two stages, Rockfield and Coolick, will take place on Saturday night. The rally will restart on Sunday, December 4th, and a further nine stages will be tackled – Molls Gap and Killmackillouge will precede two loops of the Healy Pass, Cods Head and Ardgroom tests. Killmackillogue will then form the final stage of the rally. There will be a service halt in Castletownbere after each run through the Healy Pass stage. The Finish Ramp will be located at Randles Garage on Killarney’s Muckross Road (opposite the Dromhall Hotel).
26/10/05
Get your Entries in Early!
Killarney & District Motor Club urges competitors who hope to take part in the 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally to get their entries in advance of the November 21st deadline, as a threatened nationwide postal strikeis due to commence in the Republic of Ireland on November 4th.
20/10/05
KILLARNEY HISTORIC RALLY ADOPTS TWO-DAY FORMAT
The 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally, taking place on the first weekend in December, will run to a two-day format for the first time this year. The event, which will be part of the inaugural Christmas in Killarney Festival, will commence with a town-centre start on the afternoon of Saturday, December 3rd. Two night-time stages will be run after darkness falls on Saturday evening, with a further nine stages following on Sunday, December 4th.

Announcing the decision to opt for a two-day format, the Clerk of the Course for the 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally, Tim Clifford, said: "Killarney & District Motor Club has been granted approval by Motorsport Ireland to run the Killarney Historic Stages Rally as a two-day event this year, and we are delighted with the decision. Night-time stages have traditionally been part of the event, but they have usually taken place late on the Sunday evening. The two-day format will allow us to run a couple of night stages at the beginning of the event, when the crews and their cars are fresher, rather than at the end."

Since its inception in 1996, the Killarney Historic Stages Rally has become one of the town's major annual events, bringing visitors and revenue to the area during the otherwise quiet winter period. The Killarney region also benefits through the exposure granted by way of televison coverage afforded yearly to the Historic Rally. Footage from last year's event was shown on RTE, BBC Scotland, Sky Sports, Setanta Sports and Fox Sports Middle East, and reports from the 2005 rally will once again be broadcast on terrestrial and satellite television channels in Ireland, the United Kingdom and further afield.

The 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally will be based at the Dromhall Hotel and will be supported by Randles Hotels, Killarney & West Cork; Failte Ireland; Remax Properties, Killarney & Kenmare; EPS Bison Environmental Products Division; The Christmas in Killarney Festival and Killarney Crystal.

The rally will feature as one of the early events of the Christmas in Killarney festival, which is being organised by Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce for the first time. The festival will include a large number of attractions throughout December and the Christmas period, including an ice-rink near the town centre. Full details of the festival can be obtained at In another significant development, the category for Classic cars is to be sub-divided into Classics and Modified Classics. Cars running to their original homologated specification (with full FIA papers)manufactured between 1st January, 1975 and 31st December, 1981, will now comprise the Classic Category, while all other Classic cars, built between 1st January, 1975 and 31st December, 1979 will run in what is to known as the Modified Classic category.

Explaining the reasoning behind the decision to split the Classic and Modified Classics, Tim Clifford, COC, said: "Currently some potential entrants who have period spec cars are put off by the fact that there are few technical limitations imposed in the Classic category, once the basic shell is produced between 1975 and 1979. A lot of the quicker Mark 2 Escorts in Ireland are now running six-speed sequential gearboxes, power steering and various other modifications.

"In splitting the category into Classic and Modified Classic, it will hopefully ensure that the drivers of the original cars will have something to chase, without the risk of being completely out-run by competitors enjoying the benefits of later technology. We're not short of Classic entries overall, we had about forty on reserve in 2004, but we would like to give everyone a fair chance. It could take some time for the new category to take off, and it may be two or three years before we get a sizable entry of homologated classics."

Junior Rally
The 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally will also include a Junior Rally for the first time. This will cater for competitors under 27 years of age driving cars built before 31st December, 1979. These will be divided into classes of up to 1350 cubic capacity and over 1350cc - there will be no distinction between the various categories (Historic, Post-Historic etc.).
14/10/05
Regulations and Entry Form on:
15/03/05

The 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally will take place as always on the first weekend in December. It has been included as the sixth and final round of the 023 Tiles Historic Southern Four Rally Championship.
    The 2004 Killarney Historic Stages Rally was granted the accolade of Stage Rally of the Year at the International Historic Motorsport Awards.
  • Killarney Historic Rally - 5 Dec 04

Topics: Killarney Historic Stages Rally 

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