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).
* Strike action by postal workers in Ireland began on Monday, therefore Killarney & District Motor Club is urging any competitors who wish to enter the 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally and have yet to do so, to send their entries via a courier service.
