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Irish Motorsport Yearbook
Foreword by Tarmac Champion Keith Cronin
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Close finish for WRC Stars in Portugal
Two former WRC stars are competing in a full season of the Portuguese rally series his year, and it was County Tyrone’s Kris Meeke in a Toyota Rally2 who celebrated victory over Dani Sordo on the gravel roads of southern Portugal. On the first two special stages of the Casino de Algarve Rally Sordo suffered a turbo issue, which dropped the Spaniard 50 seconds behind Meeke. But on Saturday’s stages Sordo launched a fierce comeback, however, the Hyundai driver still had to concede to Meeke by a margin of 13.3 seconds. Multiple Portuguese champion Armindo Araújo missed out on a podium by just 0.9 seconds. “Opening the road for the entire rally was a big challenge. A huge thanks to my co-driver Stuart Loudon and the Toyota Portugal crew as well as the team. That’s now two wins out of two. Now it’s time for a Superbock (a Portuguese beer brand),” Meeke joked on Instagram. With two victories under his belt, Meeke leads the Portuguese rally series, however, the gap to Sordo is only eight points. The series continues in May with the Rallye Terras d’Aboboreira, held around the city of Amarante.
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Two former WRC stars are competing in a full season of the Portuguese rally series his year, and it was County Tyrone’s Kris Meeke in a Toyota Rally2 who celebrated victory over Dani Sordo on the gravel roads of southern Portugal. On the first two special stages of the Casino de Algarve Rally Sordo suffered a turbo issue, which dropped the Spaniard 50 seconds behind Meeke. But on Saturday’s stages Sordo launched a fierce comeback, however, the Hyundai driver still had to concede to Meeke by a margin of 13.3 seconds. Multiple Portuguese champion Armindo Araújo missed out on a podium by just 0.9 seconds. “Opening the road for the entire rally was a big challenge. A huge thanks to my co-driver Stuart Loudon and the Toyota Portugal crew as well as the team. That’s now two wins out of two. Now it’s time for a Superbock (a Portuguese beer brand),” Meeke joked on Instagram. With two victories under his belt, Meeke leads the Portuguese rally series, however, the gap to Sordo is only eight points. The series continues in May with the Rallye Terras d’Aboboreira, held around the city of Amarante.
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Motor Racing Season Opens At Kirkistown
Formula Ford 1600 have the best grid of the first motor race at Kirkistown of the 2025 season on Sat 29th March, with thirteen cars entered. Ballymena’s David McCullough is looking to get his Championship bid under way, particularly in the absence of 2024 Champion, Jason Smyth. However, he will face strong opposition from Morgan Quinn, from Kill, Dave Parks, from Ballina, and Ronan Doherty, from Dunloy.
Formula Sheane is the only visiting class, however, the main protagonists from last year, Keith Hogg and Vinny Keogh, both from Dublin, and Richard Kearney, from Nurney, are all back. A further five drivers make up the grid. The Roadsports, NI7s, GTs and Saloons have a combined grid of nine very different cars. Arnie Black, from Banbridge, should be quickest in his Crosslé 37S but Peter Baxter, from Lurgan, should be close, in his Seat. You shouldn’t bet against Graham Moore, from Newtownards, to be quickest among the NI7s, although the best racing in this field will include his opposition, Richard and Mark Francis, from Donaghadee, and Trevor Allen, from Lisburn, among others. The Kirkistown Fiestas have a small but international field, with Aidan Mulready, from New York, entering. The Modi-5-Cup Mazda MX5s are combined with the Kirkistown Mini Coopers. The first race scheduled for 11:15am
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McERLEAN’S ROLLERCOASTER
ON SAFARI RALLY KENYA
The M-Sport Ford World Rally Team faced an intense and unrelenting battle across four demanding days on Safari Rally Kenya. All three of M-Sport’s Ford Puma Rally1 cars made it to the finish of the gruelling event, all taking positions in the top ten overall.
The rally pushed each and every crew to their absolute limits, with brutal conditions and mechanical issues, testing their skill and determination. M-Sport Ford WRC crew Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy displayed impressive grit, moving up the standings throughout Thursday and Friday as other competitors fell victim to the unforgiving stages. McErlean sat in fifth overall by Friday’s mid-point but the Irish driver, battling against heavy dust and reduced visibility after panel damage left a hole at the rear of the car, finished the day in seventh overall, a true testament to his perseverance. Saturday presented a new set of challenges, when McErlean found himself facing mechanical difficulties halfway through SS11. The Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy crew's effort to keep the car going, despite the odds, was nothing short of remarkable.
Richard Millener, Team Principal, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team, said: “We’ve had a very positive weekend. Not a single crew went unscathed this weekend, and to have a 100% finish rate for our Rally1 crews, all of them finishing within the top ten, is an incredible achievement.. Our 1-2 stage result on SS15 will remain one of the top moments of the year and shows that these guys have what it takes to fight for the top spots.
Josh McErlean (above) added: “It’s been quite crazy, quite surreal. We had our problems, but we persevered and made it through. If you come to the Safari Rally you expect these conditions, it’s part of what it’s about. It’s a huge effort for everyone involved, from the organisers to the teams, to come out here and put on a show, it’s such a huge spectacle so congratulations to everyone for making it happen.”
The next stop is Rally Islas Canarias in April.
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ON SAFARI RALLY KENYA
The M-Sport Ford World Rally Team faced an intense and unrelenting battle across four demanding days on Safari Rally Kenya. All three of M-Sport’s Ford Puma Rally1 cars made it to the finish of the gruelling event, all taking positions in the top ten overall.
The rally pushed each and every crew to their absolute limits, with brutal conditions and mechanical issues, testing their skill and determination. M-Sport Ford WRC crew Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy displayed impressive grit, moving up the standings throughout Thursday and Friday as other competitors fell victim to the unforgiving stages. McErlean sat in fifth overall by Friday’s mid-point but the Irish driver, battling against heavy dust and reduced visibility after panel damage left a hole at the rear of the car, finished the day in seventh overall, a true testament to his perseverance. Saturday presented a new set of challenges, when McErlean found himself facing mechanical difficulties halfway through SS11. The Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy crew's effort to keep the car going, despite the odds, was nothing short of remarkable.
Richard Millener, Team Principal, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team, said: “We’ve had a very positive weekend. Not a single crew went unscathed this weekend, and to have a 100% finish rate for our Rally1 crews, all of them finishing within the top ten, is an incredible achievement.. Our 1-2 stage result on SS15 will remain one of the top moments of the year and shows that these guys have what it takes to fight for the top spots.
Josh McErlean (above) added: “It’s been quite crazy, quite surreal. We had our problems, but we persevered and made it through. If you come to the Safari Rally you expect these conditions, it’s part of what it’s about. It’s a huge effort for everyone involved, from the organisers to the teams, to come out here and put on a show, it’s such a huge spectacle so congratulations to everyone for making it happen.”
The next stop is Rally Islas Canarias in April.
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Dan Harper Opens 2025 with Breakthrough 24 Hr Victory
BMW M Motorsport works driver Dan Harper has enjoyed a perfect start to his 2025 race season, playing a starring role in an emphatic victory in the Dubai 24 Hours for Al Manar Racing by Team WRT. The Northern Irishman secured his first ever overall 24-hour race win after a tremendous performance alongside team-mates Max Hesse, Darren Leung, Ben Tuck and Al Faisal Al Zubair in Dubai, with the quintet beating a hugely competitive entry in the Middle Eastern enduro. Harper produced one final impressive stint in the morning before watching on as Hesse brought the car home for a memorable victory. All of their fantastic efforts over the previous 24 hours meant the #777 car ultimately finished a whole lap clear of their nearest rival at the flag. Dan Harper said: “I’m absolutely delighted to get my first win in a 24-hour race. It feels like it’s been a long time coming, so it’s a special moment.’’
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BMW M Motorsport works driver Dan Harper has enjoyed a perfect start to his 2025 race season, playing a starring role in an emphatic victory in the Dubai 24 Hours for Al Manar Racing by Team WRT. The Northern Irishman secured his first ever overall 24-hour race win after a tremendous performance alongside team-mates Max Hesse, Darren Leung, Ben Tuck and Al Faisal Al Zubair in Dubai, with the quintet beating a hugely competitive entry in the Middle Eastern enduro. Harper produced one final impressive stint in the morning before watching on as Hesse brought the car home for a memorable victory. All of their fantastic efforts over the previous 24 hours meant the #777 car ultimately finished a whole lap clear of their nearest rival at the flag. Dan Harper said: “I’m absolutely delighted to get my first win in a 24-hour race. It feels like it’s been a long time coming, so it’s a special moment.’’
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Armstrong and Treacy record their best
FIA European Rally Championship result
Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy crew Jon Armstrong and Eoin Treacy recorded their best-ever FIA European Rally Championship result during an action- packed Rally Silesia in Poland. With two stage wins on Friday and five on Sunday, including the Power Stage, Armstrong claimed his first ERC podium by finishing second. At the wheel of a Pirelli-shod Ford Fiesta Rally2, he fought his way through from seventh position starting day two. “To win five out of six stages on Sunday is crazy and the one stage we didn't win we were probably on the wrong tyres. It was an unbelievable day. To be able to show this pace is very good and I always enjoy rallying in Poland because I work so much with M-Sport Poland.” Armstrong finished 1.5 seconds ahead of newly crowned FIA European Rally Champion Hayden Paddon (Hyundai i20 Rally2) and just 18.3 seconds adrift of rally winner Andrea Mabellini (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2). The M-Sport driver could have been even closer to the front had it not been for a time-consuming technical issue on SS2. “This is right up there with some of my best achievements. I would say this is one of my best events I have ever done.”. Photo Red Bull Content Pool.
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FIA European Rally Championship result
Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy crew Jon Armstrong and Eoin Treacy recorded their best-ever FIA European Rally Championship result during an action- packed Rally Silesia in Poland. With two stage wins on Friday and five on Sunday, including the Power Stage, Armstrong claimed his first ERC podium by finishing second. At the wheel of a Pirelli-shod Ford Fiesta Rally2, he fought his way through from seventh position starting day two. “To win five out of six stages on Sunday is crazy and the one stage we didn't win we were probably on the wrong tyres. It was an unbelievable day. To be able to show this pace is very good and I always enjoy rallying in Poland because I work so much with M-Sport Poland.” Armstrong finished 1.5 seconds ahead of newly crowned FIA European Rally Champion Hayden Paddon (Hyundai i20 Rally2) and just 18.3 seconds adrift of rally winner Andrea Mabellini (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2). The M-Sport driver could have been even closer to the front had it not been for a time-consuming technical issue on SS2. “This is right up there with some of my best achievements. I would say this is one of my best events I have ever done.”. Photo Red Bull Content Pool.
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KEITH CRONIN AND MIKIE GALVIN ARE TARMAC CHAMPIONS 2024
Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin have secured the 2024 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, after finishing second on the Cork '20' Rally, the final round of the series, in their Ford Fiesta Rally 2. Victory in Cork went to Callum Devine and Noel O'Sullivan and the result left both crews tied on 100 points each. Cronin and Galvin took the title on a tie-breaker.
The Cork '20' was held in treacherously wet conditions,and the organisers, the Munster Car Club, took the decision to declare the event results after the end of the fifth of a planned eight stages, due to the adverse weather. "Those were some of the wettest conditions I have ever experienced on a rally,’’ said Keith. The amount of water on the roads in places was unbelievable, - we really have to thank the marshals, timekeepers and officials for standing out in that weather.
I want to thank Mikie for his work on the notes all year, and I also want to acknowledge the support of all our various sponsors, it's not an easy task to put on a full-season challenge for any championship - without them we wouldn't be here. Tom Gahan and his crew have done a top job on the car all year as well - it hasn't missed a beat all year''
The 2024 Irish Tarmac Rally Champions, Keith Cronin (right) and Mikie Galvin, in the company of family members and support crew, are presented with the Bertie Fisher Perpetual Cup by Colman Hegarty, Chairman of the Tarmac Rally Organisers Association, and Sean Hayde, Championship Manager. Photo: ElaineNí Shé.
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Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin have secured the 2024 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, after finishing second on the Cork '20' Rally, the final round of the series, in their Ford Fiesta Rally 2. Victory in Cork went to Callum Devine and Noel O'Sullivan and the result left both crews tied on 100 points each. Cronin and Galvin took the title on a tie-breaker.
The Cork '20' was held in treacherously wet conditions,and the organisers, the Munster Car Club, took the decision to declare the event results after the end of the fifth of a planned eight stages, due to the adverse weather. "Those were some of the wettest conditions I have ever experienced on a rally,’’ said Keith. The amount of water on the roads in places was unbelievable, - we really have to thank the marshals, timekeepers and officials for standing out in that weather.
I want to thank Mikie for his work on the notes all year, and I also want to acknowledge the support of all our various sponsors, it's not an easy task to put on a full-season challenge for any championship - without them we wouldn't be here. Tom Gahan and his crew have done a top job on the car all year as well - it hasn't missed a beat all year''
The 2024 Irish Tarmac Rally Champions, Keith Cronin (right) and Mikie Galvin, in the company of family members and support crew, are presented with the Bertie Fisher Perpetual Cup by Colman Hegarty, Chairman of the Tarmac Rally Organisers Association, and Sean Hayde, Championship Manager. Photo: ElaineNí Shé.
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Bangor rally legend Terry Harryman receives home town recognition
Rally co-driving legend Terry Harryman has been officially inducted into Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Sporting Wall of Fame. The former rally co-driver, who won several World Championship events including the Monte Carlo Rally, Safari Rally and Finland’s 1000 Lakes Rally, plus many more across the UK and Ireland, has joined the Borough’s other sporting greats on the prestigious Wall of Fame displayed in Bangor Leisure Complex as well as Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing Complex. Harryman has now been officially inducted after a ceremony in his hometown’s leisure centre where his plaque was unveiled. The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alistair Cathcart, said: “Terry Harryman enjoyed a motorsport career that spanned more than 50 years. During his illustrious career that stemmed from his interest in maps, he became one of the most sought-after rally co-drivers in the world and navigated for the world's leading drivers at the sport's highest level. He was one of rallying’s pace note-making pioneers and I am pleased he has been honoured in this way.” Pictured, from left, is Terry Harryman, Mayor Alistair Cathcart and Pat Burns, Editor of CarSport Yearbook, presenting the plaque.
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Rally co-driving legend Terry Harryman has been officially inducted into Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Sporting Wall of Fame. The former rally co-driver, who won several World Championship events including the Monte Carlo Rally, Safari Rally and Finland’s 1000 Lakes Rally, plus many more across the UK and Ireland, has joined the Borough’s other sporting greats on the prestigious Wall of Fame displayed in Bangor Leisure Complex as well as Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing Complex. Harryman has now been officially inducted after a ceremony in his hometown’s leisure centre where his plaque was unveiled. The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alistair Cathcart, said: “Terry Harryman enjoyed a motorsport career that spanned more than 50 years. During his illustrious career that stemmed from his interest in maps, he became one of the most sought-after rally co-drivers in the world and navigated for the world's leading drivers at the sport's highest level. He was one of rallying’s pace note-making pioneers and I am pleased he has been honoured in this way.” Pictured, from left, is Terry Harryman, Mayor Alistair Cathcart and Pat Burns, Editor of CarSport Yearbook, presenting the plaque.
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Sherwood Engines Historic Irish Tarmac Rally Championship
A perfect drive of nine stage wins secured a two-minute and four-second Ulster Historic Rally victory for Ray Breen and Damien Morrissey. Their stunning Subaru Legacy graced the Ulster stages in style to fend off threats through the day from Ford Escort pilots Hugh McQuaid and Tomas Davies.
Breen’s second historic win of the year wasn’t enough to stop Wales’ Davies from claiming the Sherwood Engines Historic ITRC Drivers’ title with a round to spare. Davies’ top scores in West Cork and the Circuit combine with Saturday’s runner-up finish and podiums in Galway and Donegal to create an unassailable tally of Irish Tarmac results. Davies’ Ulster Rally co-driver Anthony O’Sullivan now holds a 15-point lead in the co-drivers championship over Morrissey. Hugh McQuaid and Martin Byrne had held second in the historic category before dropping out with fuel issues ahead of the rally’s third loop of stages. That handed second to Davies with Jimmy Mills and Ashley Trimble grabbing a last-ditch podium. Mills had been fifth ahead of the Ulster’s final loop but set three second-fastest times in a row to snatch third from David Armstrong and Ivor Ferguson on the final test.
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A perfect drive of nine stage wins secured a two-minute and four-second Ulster Historic Rally victory for Ray Breen and Damien Morrissey. Their stunning Subaru Legacy graced the Ulster stages in style to fend off threats through the day from Ford Escort pilots Hugh McQuaid and Tomas Davies.
Breen’s second historic win of the year wasn’t enough to stop Wales’ Davies from claiming the Sherwood Engines Historic ITRC Drivers’ title with a round to spare. Davies’ top scores in West Cork and the Circuit combine with Saturday’s runner-up finish and podiums in Galway and Donegal to create an unassailable tally of Irish Tarmac results. Davies’ Ulster Rally co-driver Anthony O’Sullivan now holds a 15-point lead in the co-drivers championship over Morrissey. Hugh McQuaid and Martin Byrne had held second in the historic category before dropping out with fuel issues ahead of the rally’s third loop of stages. That handed second to Davies with Jimmy Mills and Ashley Trimble grabbing a last-ditch podium. Mills had been fifth ahead of the Ulster’s final loop but set three second-fastest times in a row to snatch third from David Armstrong and Ivor Ferguson on the final test.
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GT WORLD CHALLENGE WIN FOR HARPER IN GERMANY
Dan Harper and his Century Motorsport team-mate Darren Leung moved to the top of the Bronze Cup standings in the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup after two breathless wins in Germany. The pair secured a maiden victory in style around Hockenheim, taking their BMW M4 GT3 car from 13th in the support series to first. Harper laid the groundwork as he stormed up through the field to third, clawing back 11 spots within the space of 25 minutes. At the driver switchover, Leung exited the pits and extended the gap to the Lamborghini of Rob Collard and Sandy Mitchell to take maximum points by 10.884 secs. Harper and Leung completed a Bronze Cup double thanks to another gritty display. A mechanical issue during Sunday’s qualifying session meant the best the latter could muster was the 16th row of the grid. However, within the space of one lap, Leung was up to second in class and completed his stint within touching distance of the Rutronik Porsche 911 GT3 R. However, a cleaner mid-race handover ensured Harper emerged from the pit lane in the lead – a position the Hillsborough native maintained to win by 3.681 secs from Collard and Mitchell. “It has been a brilliant weekend, picking up two Bronze victories,” said Harper. “We had to really fight in both races, which just made the wins even sweeter.
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Dan Harper and his Century Motorsport team-mate Darren Leung moved to the top of the Bronze Cup standings in the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup after two breathless wins in Germany. The pair secured a maiden victory in style around Hockenheim, taking their BMW M4 GT3 car from 13th in the support series to first. Harper laid the groundwork as he stormed up through the field to third, clawing back 11 spots within the space of 25 minutes. At the driver switchover, Leung exited the pits and extended the gap to the Lamborghini of Rob Collard and Sandy Mitchell to take maximum points by 10.884 secs. Harper and Leung completed a Bronze Cup double thanks to another gritty display. A mechanical issue during Sunday’s qualifying session meant the best the latter could muster was the 16th row of the grid. However, within the space of one lap, Leung was up to second in class and completed his stint within touching distance of the Rutronik Porsche 911 GT3 R. However, a cleaner mid-race handover ensured Harper emerged from the pit lane in the lead – a position the Hillsborough native maintained to win by 3.681 secs from Collard and Mitchell. “It has been a brilliant weekend, picking up two Bronze victories,” said Harper. “We had to really fight in both races, which just made the wins even sweeter.
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WILLIAM CREIGHTON SECURES CAREER-BEST RESULT IN LATVIA
Moira’s William Creighton secured a career-best result on Rally Latvia – Round Eight of the FIA World Rally Championship’s WRC2 series – alongside co-driver Liam Regan, ending the blisteringly quick Tet Rally Latvia fifth overall in the Championship’s main support category. “I am really happy to get a strong result and solid finish under our belt on our first fast gravel rally in the Ford Fiesta Rally2,” said Creighton. “The sensation on the stages was so enjoyable – really fast and flowing – and the enthusiasm from all the fans in Latvia also ensured it was incredible. “It has been a really positive weekend. Liam has done a good job, so massive thanks to him and the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy and M-Sport for all their hard work this week.”
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Moira’s William Creighton secured a career-best result on Rally Latvia – Round Eight of the FIA World Rally Championship’s WRC2 series – alongside co-driver Liam Regan, ending the blisteringly quick Tet Rally Latvia fifth overall in the Championship’s main support category. “I am really happy to get a strong result and solid finish under our belt on our first fast gravel rally in the Ford Fiesta Rally2,” said Creighton. “The sensation on the stages was so enjoyable – really fast and flowing – and the enthusiasm from all the fans in Latvia also ensured it was incredible. “It has been a really positive weekend. Liam has done a good job, so massive thanks to him and the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy and M-Sport for all their hard work this week.”
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Simon and Juanita Brien take top honours on Carrera Bavaria
The fifth Rally the Globe’s Carrera series produced both familiar and first time winners. Simon and Juanita Brien took top honours in a fiercely contested Classic category in their exquisite 1963 Jaguar E-type while the Pre-War category was dominated by Martin and Olivia Hunt in their 1937 Frazer Nash-BMW 328. For Simon Brien it was back-to-back victories after he won last year’s Carrera Riveria but it was the first with wife Juanita on the maps. The Carrera Bavaria treated participants – all driving iconic, pre-1977 cars – to ten unforgettable days exploring the smooth asphalt roads and National Parks of southern Germany. The meticulously planned 1,355-mile route took crews through the lakes and valleys of the Black Forest and on, via the shores of Lake Constance, to the dramatic mountains spanning the Austrian border. Spicing up the journey, were nine speed tests at private venues such as the Porsche Experience Facility at the old Hockenheim Grand Prix circuit, and 25 road-based Regularity stages. “We came here with no expectations, but it has been a great event,” said the delighted Belfast Estate Agent Brien. “It’s my first Carrera event with Juanita, and she did unbelievably well. It’s been another superb Rally the Globe event with a great route and brilliant organisation.”
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The fifth Rally the Globe’s Carrera series produced both familiar and first time winners. Simon and Juanita Brien took top honours in a fiercely contested Classic category in their exquisite 1963 Jaguar E-type while the Pre-War category was dominated by Martin and Olivia Hunt in their 1937 Frazer Nash-BMW 328. For Simon Brien it was back-to-back victories after he won last year’s Carrera Riveria but it was the first with wife Juanita on the maps. The Carrera Bavaria treated participants – all driving iconic, pre-1977 cars – to ten unforgettable days exploring the smooth asphalt roads and National Parks of southern Germany. The meticulously planned 1,355-mile route took crews through the lakes and valleys of the Black Forest and on, via the shores of Lake Constance, to the dramatic mountains spanning the Austrian border. Spicing up the journey, were nine speed tests at private venues such as the Porsche Experience Facility at the old Hockenheim Grand Prix circuit, and 25 road-based Regularity stages. “We came here with no expectations, but it has been a great event,” said the delighted Belfast Estate Agent Brien. “It’s my first Carrera event with Juanita, and she did unbelievably well. It’s been another superb Rally the Globe event with a great route and brilliant organisation.”
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Callum Devine snatches Donegal Rally win by 17.4 secs
A change from the Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 to Skoda’s Fabia RS Rally2 for the fifth round of the Tarmac series gave Callum Devine a back-to-back Donegal International Rally win by 17.4 seconds from the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 of Meirion Evans. It was helped by the retirement of closely-matched No.2 seed Keith Cronin when he got his braking wrong and hit a stone wall with the rear of his Ford Fiesta Rally2. That handed the baton to Matt Edwards, who safely navigated the remainder of Friday and Saturday’s stages to start 16 seconds clear on Sunday. However, on Sunday’s second stage, the Welshman struck a wall with the front of his Ford Fiesta Rally2. Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy-backed driver David Kelly enjoyed a career-best third place in his Volkswagen Polo GTI R5, with a handful of quickest stage times. Edwards did make it out to the road section where he carried out repairs to come home in fourth. Results: 1. Callum Devine; 2. Meirion Evans; 3. David Kelly; 4. Matt Edwards; 5. Josh Moffett; 6. Michael Boyle.
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A change from the Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 to Skoda’s Fabia RS Rally2 for the fifth round of the Tarmac series gave Callum Devine a back-to-back Donegal International Rally win by 17.4 seconds from the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 of Meirion Evans. It was helped by the retirement of closely-matched No.2 seed Keith Cronin when he got his braking wrong and hit a stone wall with the rear of his Ford Fiesta Rally2. That handed the baton to Matt Edwards, who safely navigated the remainder of Friday and Saturday’s stages to start 16 seconds clear on Sunday. However, on Sunday’s second stage, the Welshman struck a wall with the front of his Ford Fiesta Rally2. Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy-backed driver David Kelly enjoyed a career-best third place in his Volkswagen Polo GTI R5, with a handful of quickest stage times. Edwards did make it out to the road section where he carried out repairs to come home in fourth. Results: 1. Callum Devine; 2. Meirion Evans; 3. David Kelly; 4. Matt Edwards; 5. Josh Moffett; 6. Michael Boyle.
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DÉJÀ VU NORTH WEST RECORD €75,000
CHARITABLE DONATION TO RALLY FAMILIES
RPM Déjà vu Motorsport Ltd. and the Connacht Motor Club are proud to announce that the money raised at their recent Déjà vu North West ‘24 event is a record in the history of the ten Déjà vu Motorsport reunions that have been run to date. “We have been overwhelmed at the generosity of the entrants, the sponsors, and the public who came to watch them on the 26-27-28 April 2024. Their donations have enabled us and the Connacht Motor Club to gather this very significant amount for the families of Gene McDonald and Dáire Maguire. It was the outstanding co-operation and initiative of the Connacht Motor Club and the support from organisations such as the Sligo County Council, Sligo BID, Sligo Retail Park, Sligo Park Hotel, Ocean FM, Motorsport Ireland and the Garda Siochana that made the weekend so successful. The addition of ‘SF Planes, Cars & Coffee’ on the Sunday morning in co-operation with Sligo Airport where we combined their Breakfast Fly In with a display of our entrants' cars was an innovation that greatly added to the enjoyment and the charity take on the weekend. Jointly we have gathered this record-breaking sum of €75,000 for a very worthy cause.,” said Alan Tyndall and Alan Graham, the RPM Déjà vu Motorsport Directors. Photo: James Burke
Caption: Justine Hogan (Gene McDonald’s partner) & Breda Maguire (wife of Dáire Maguire) with Alan Tyndall (right) and Robert Lyttle (left) at the presentation of the €75,000 fund raised by RPM Déjà Vu Motorsport and the Connaght Motor Club at their Déjà vu North West ’24 event in April.
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CHARITABLE DONATION TO RALLY FAMILIES
RPM Déjà vu Motorsport Ltd. and the Connacht Motor Club are proud to announce that the money raised at their recent Déjà vu North West ‘24 event is a record in the history of the ten Déjà vu Motorsport reunions that have been run to date. “We have been overwhelmed at the generosity of the entrants, the sponsors, and the public who came to watch them on the 26-27-28 April 2024. Their donations have enabled us and the Connacht Motor Club to gather this very significant amount for the families of Gene McDonald and Dáire Maguire. It was the outstanding co-operation and initiative of the Connacht Motor Club and the support from organisations such as the Sligo County Council, Sligo BID, Sligo Retail Park, Sligo Park Hotel, Ocean FM, Motorsport Ireland and the Garda Siochana that made the weekend so successful. The addition of ‘SF Planes, Cars & Coffee’ on the Sunday morning in co-operation with Sligo Airport where we combined their Breakfast Fly In with a display of our entrants' cars was an innovation that greatly added to the enjoyment and the charity take on the weekend. Jointly we have gathered this record-breaking sum of €75,000 for a very worthy cause.,” said Alan Tyndall and Alan Graham, the RPM Déjà vu Motorsport Directors. Photo: James Burke
Caption: Justine Hogan (Gene McDonald’s partner) & Breda Maguire (wife of Dáire Maguire) with Alan Tyndall (right) and Robert Lyttle (left) at the presentation of the €75,000 fund raised by RPM Déjà Vu Motorsport and the Connaght Motor Club at their Déjà vu North West ’24 event in April.
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Harper Celebrates Nürburgring 24hr Podium Finish
BMW M Motorsport works driver Dan Harper has secured a brilliant first overall podium finish in the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring after battling to a third-place result in a weather-affected 52nd running of the endurance classic (30 May – 02 June). Harper put in a sublime individual performance as part of a fantastic team effort alongside Max Hesse and Charles Weerts, with the trio topping the qualifying timesheets and fighting for the race lead in what was ultimately the shortest ever edition of Nürburgring 24 Hours after heavy fog played havoc. The Northern Irishman headed into his fifth attempt at the world-famous race with unfinished business, having seen potential podium challenges in both each of the previous two years get cruelly derailed by incidents on circuit. Daniel said: “Every year I come back here for the Nürburgring 24 Hours, I’m blown away by just how special this event is. 240,000 fans came out to enjoy the action and you feel so privileged to be in a position to be part of the race for them.’’
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BMW M Motorsport works driver Dan Harper has secured a brilliant first overall podium finish in the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring after battling to a third-place result in a weather-affected 52nd running of the endurance classic (30 May – 02 June). Harper put in a sublime individual performance as part of a fantastic team effort alongside Max Hesse and Charles Weerts, with the trio topping the qualifying timesheets and fighting for the race lead in what was ultimately the shortest ever edition of Nürburgring 24 Hours after heavy fog played havoc. The Northern Irishman headed into his fifth attempt at the world-famous race with unfinished business, having seen potential podium challenges in both each of the previous two years get cruelly derailed by incidents on circuit. Daniel said: “Every year I come back here for the Nürburgring 24 Hours, I’m blown away by just how special this event is. 240,000 fans came out to enjoy the action and you feel so privileged to be in a position to be part of the race for them.’’
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Cronin secures a crucial Jim Clark Rally victory
Keith Cronin ensured his bid for a fifth Probite British Rally Championship title remains firmly alive, by taking a critical victory at the Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Rally. After a dismal start to this year's BRC campaign, Cronin, and co-driver Mikie Galvin took their Pirelli shod Ford Fiesta Rally2 to their first victory of the season and more importantly, edged back into contention for the coveted crown. They fended off the advances of 2019 Junior BRC champions William Creighton and Liam Regan who claimed second spot, with local hero Garry Pearson and co-driver Daniel Barritt rounding out the podium spots, making it a Fiesta Rally2 podium lock-out. “It's been a long time coming,” said a visibly delighted Cronin. “The first two rounds didn’t go our way, unfortunately, but championships are long. This win gives us a fighting chance again, but it’s still a long championship.''
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Keith Cronin ensured his bid for a fifth Probite British Rally Championship title remains firmly alive, by taking a critical victory at the Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Rally. After a dismal start to this year's BRC campaign, Cronin, and co-driver Mikie Galvin took their Pirelli shod Ford Fiesta Rally2 to their first victory of the season and more importantly, edged back into contention for the coveted crown. They fended off the advances of 2019 Junior BRC champions William Creighton and Liam Regan who claimed second spot, with local hero Garry Pearson and co-driver Daniel Barritt rounding out the podium spots, making it a Fiesta Rally2 podium lock-out. “It's been a long time coming,” said a visibly delighted Cronin. “The first two rounds didn’t go our way, unfortunately, but championships are long. This win gives us a fighting chance again, but it’s still a long championship.''
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McErlean's faultless drive misses win by three secs!
Josh McErlean recorded his best-ever WRC result at the Rally de Portugal [9-12 May], with co-driver James Fulton taking a sensational second place in the WRC2 category, missing out on the win by just 3.2 seconds! Despite being his first WRC round of the season, McErlean’s drive was faultless, and saw the Irish duo blasting into the top six on the first full day, climbing the leaderboard with a blistering pace across the rutted Portuguese gravel. “This kind of result is exactly what we have been working so hard on over the years and to finally get on the WRC2 podium is fantastic for me, the team and fantastic work of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy. It’s been the rally of dreams this weekend”.
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Josh McErlean recorded his best-ever WRC result at the Rally de Portugal [9-12 May], with co-driver James Fulton taking a sensational second place in the WRC2 category, missing out on the win by just 3.2 seconds! Despite being his first WRC round of the season, McErlean’s drive was faultless, and saw the Irish duo blasting into the top six on the first full day, climbing the leaderboard with a blistering pace across the rutted Portuguese gravel. “This kind of result is exactly what we have been working so hard on over the years and to finally get on the WRC2 podium is fantastic for me, the team and fantastic work of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy. It’s been the rally of dreams this weekend”.
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WILLIAM CREIGHTON TAKES SECOND PLACE ON BRC OPENER
Fresh from a podium at the West Cork Rally, Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver
William Creighton and co-driver Liam Regan took a resounding second-place finish
on the opening round of the British Rally Championship.
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Fresh from a podium at the West Cork Rally, Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver
William Creighton and co-driver Liam Regan took a resounding second-place finish
on the opening round of the British Rally Championship.
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Kyle White achieves Junior British Rally boyhood dream
Kyle White achieved his boyhood dream on being crowned overall winner of the Junior British Rally Championship at Saturday’s Cambrian Rally in Wales. He wrapped up the title on this third consecutive attempt, in the final round of the season alongside co-driver, Sean Topping. All the Peugeot 208 Rally4 driver had to do was finish the event, such was his points advantage over Co Donegal’s Kyle McBride, who went on to end the year on a high by securing the win. “I cannot really put what we have achieved into words, I cannot believe it,” said White, “It is an amazing feeling to win my first British Championship and to emulate one of my heroes – Kris Meeke – and add my name alongside some of the most prestigious people in this sport. What makes this extra special is that we are just a small, four-man team from Northern Ireland. It has been an incredible three years competing in the JBRC. The competition has been really strong and the pace has been absolutely mental,.”
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Kyle White achieved his boyhood dream on being crowned overall winner of the Junior British Rally Championship at Saturday’s Cambrian Rally in Wales. He wrapped up the title on this third consecutive attempt, in the final round of the season alongside co-driver, Sean Topping. All the Peugeot 208 Rally4 driver had to do was finish the event, such was his points advantage over Co Donegal’s Kyle McBride, who went on to end the year on a high by securing the win. “I cannot really put what we have achieved into words, I cannot believe it,” said White, “It is an amazing feeling to win my first British Championship and to emulate one of my heroes – Kris Meeke – and add my name alongside some of the most prestigious people in this sport. What makes this extra special is that we are just a small, four-man team from Northern Ireland. It has been an incredible three years competing in the JBRC. The competition has been really strong and the pace has been absolutely mental,.”
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DÉJÀ VU CORK ‘23 CHEQUE HANDOVER
Micheàl Sheridan (CEO) and Donie Lucey from CRITICAL
Emergency Medical Response receive a cheque for €17,500
from Alan Graham and Alan Tyndall, the organisers of the
recent Déjà vu Cork ’23 event.
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NEW : The Ulster Giants - A history of Ulster winners
'The Ulster Giants' - Ulster Rally Winners from 1976 - 2023, is the latest and fifth book in Alan (Plum) Tyndall’s series on the winners of the Irish Tarmac Championship rounds in the various regions of the country. Like 'Heroes of the Hills’ (Donegal International); 'The Western Warriors' (Galway International); 'Coleman Country' (Cork 20 & West Cork rallies), and ‘The Kerry Dancers’ (Killarney Rally of the Lakes), this new 127-page full-colour book, contains spectacular photographs and accounts of all the Ulster events. With action shots from Ireland's top photographers like the late Esler Crawford, Seamus Counihan, Col Courtney, Trevor Foster and most importantly the RallyRetro archive, covering the Group 4, Group B, Group A, World Rally, and R5 eras, the book recalls the exploits of drivers like Billy Coleman, Bertie Fisher, Andrew Nesbitt, Eugene Donnelly and Craig Breen. The British Championship contestants like Jimmy McRae, Russell Brookes, Mark Lovell, Gwyndaf Evans, Malcolm Wilson and the unforgettable Colin McRae, added to the international visitors who came, like Pentti Airikkala, Stig Blomqvist, and the incomparable Walter Rohrl, who conquered the Ulster lanes over this forty-seven year period. The Ulster Giants is available now on: www.rpm-motorsport.com/books
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'The Ulster Giants' - Ulster Rally Winners from 1976 - 2023, is the latest and fifth book in Alan (Plum) Tyndall’s series on the winners of the Irish Tarmac Championship rounds in the various regions of the country. Like 'Heroes of the Hills’ (Donegal International); 'The Western Warriors' (Galway International); 'Coleman Country' (Cork 20 & West Cork rallies), and ‘The Kerry Dancers’ (Killarney Rally of the Lakes), this new 127-page full-colour book, contains spectacular photographs and accounts of all the Ulster events. With action shots from Ireland's top photographers like the late Esler Crawford, Seamus Counihan, Col Courtney, Trevor Foster and most importantly the RallyRetro archive, covering the Group 4, Group B, Group A, World Rally, and R5 eras, the book recalls the exploits of drivers like Billy Coleman, Bertie Fisher, Andrew Nesbitt, Eugene Donnelly and Craig Breen. The British Championship contestants like Jimmy McRae, Russell Brookes, Mark Lovell, Gwyndaf Evans, Malcolm Wilson and the unforgettable Colin McRae, added to the international visitors who came, like Pentti Airikkala, Stig Blomqvist, and the incomparable Walter Rohrl, who conquered the Ulster lanes over this forty-seven year period. The Ulster Giants is available now on: www.rpm-motorsport.com/books
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PATRICK & STEPHEN O'BRIEN IN FLYING FORM AS THEY
Simon Brien makes Jaguar history with Riviera victory
The Carrera Riviera is an incredible event set on some of France’s greatest traffic-free roads taking intrepid participants from the shores of the English Channel to the Mediterranean via the Atlantic coast and Alps. When the crews finally reached the Côte d'Azur, it was the rare Jaguar C-type crewed by Belfast estate agent Simon Brien and his son Jack who took top honours in the fiercely fought Classic category, adding yet another prized trophy to the C-type’s never-ending roll of honour. It was exactly 70 years after one of Jaguar’s most famous triumphs in June 1953 when Duncan Hamilton and Tony Rolt famously won the Le Mans 24 Hours race. Remarkably after such an incredible 3,300km journey, the Brien duo actually finished tied at the top of the results with the MGB GT of Tomasz Dzitko and Beata Siwek. Both crews celebrated under the finishing arch but the Polish pair lost out on a tie-breaker based on the age of the vehicle which awarded the final spoils to the more venerable 1953 Jaguar.
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The Carrera Riviera is an incredible event set on some of France’s greatest traffic-free roads taking intrepid participants from the shores of the English Channel to the Mediterranean via the Atlantic coast and Alps. When the crews finally reached the Côte d'Azur, it was the rare Jaguar C-type crewed by Belfast estate agent Simon Brien and his son Jack who took top honours in the fiercely fought Classic category, adding yet another prized trophy to the C-type’s never-ending roll of honour. It was exactly 70 years after one of Jaguar’s most famous triumphs in June 1953 when Duncan Hamilton and Tony Rolt famously won the Le Mans 24 Hours race. Remarkably after such an incredible 3,300km journey, the Brien duo actually finished tied at the top of the results with the MGB GT of Tomasz Dzitko and Beata Siwek. Both crews celebrated under the finishing arch but the Polish pair lost out on a tie-breaker based on the age of the vehicle which awarded the final spoils to the more venerable 1953 Jaguar.
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Hyundai WRC driver Craig Breen dies in testing crash
The motor sport fraternity has been shocked and saddened by the death of Irish World Rally Championship driver Craig Breen who passed away following a crash in testing for Rally Croatia. The factory Hyundai driver went off the road during a team test on asphalt roads and succumbed to injuries. Co-driver James Fulton was unharmed in the crash.
Breen was preparing for his second outing of the WRC season as Hyundai’s third driver after rejoining the South Korean marque for a second spell following a full season with M-Sport-Ford last year.
The 33-year-old finished second at Rally Sweden in February which marked his first WRC start of the season. The result equalled his career best result in the WRC having scored second place finishes in Sweden 2018, Estonia, 2020-2021, Belgium 2021 and Sardinia 2022.
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The motor sport fraternity has been shocked and saddened by the death of Irish World Rally Championship driver Craig Breen who passed away following a crash in testing for Rally Croatia. The factory Hyundai driver went off the road during a team test on asphalt roads and succumbed to injuries. Co-driver James Fulton was unharmed in the crash.
Breen was preparing for his second outing of the WRC season as Hyundai’s third driver after rejoining the South Korean marque for a second spell following a full season with M-Sport-Ford last year.
The 33-year-old finished second at Rally Sweden in February which marked his first WRC start of the season. The result equalled his career best result in the WRC having scored second place finishes in Sweden 2018, Estonia, 2020-2021, Belgium 2021 and Sardinia 2022.
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James Hagan wins the Phillip Island Historic Grand Prix in Oz
James Hagan of Ballyclare-headquartered Hagan Homes has won an Historic Grand Prix in Australia. He crossed the finish line ahead of his competitors driving his 1974 Hesketh 308 Formula 1 car, which was the very first F1 car built by Lord Alexander Hesketh - a prominent F1 figure in the 1970s. It was the very vehicle driven by 1976 World Champion James Hunt when he secured his maiden F1 victory in 1974. There were almost 40 cars in the 2023 Historic GP, with the Hesketh 308 one of the oldest in the race by at least nine years. The win marked the Hesketh’s best result ever in an historic race, eclipsing the two second-place finishes scored by Dundalk’s ex-F1 driver Tommy Byrne at Mondello Park in 2018. James was congratulated by ex-F1 driver Eddie Irvine who had travelled to Australia to watch the show. Speaking about his win, James said: “What an incredible experience it was to win the Phillip Island Historic Grand Prix. I didn’t expect it but it’s a great feeling to have done so. Historic F1 racing has been a lifelong passion and has turned into a competitive sport for me. I love it and the community - the people you meet and the people who run it.” James is spending more of his time in Australia as he expands the Hagan Homes footprint, with a series of sustainable homes in planning.
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James Hagan of Ballyclare-headquartered Hagan Homes has won an Historic Grand Prix in Australia. He crossed the finish line ahead of his competitors driving his 1974 Hesketh 308 Formula 1 car, which was the very first F1 car built by Lord Alexander Hesketh - a prominent F1 figure in the 1970s. It was the very vehicle driven by 1976 World Champion James Hunt when he secured his maiden F1 victory in 1974. There were almost 40 cars in the 2023 Historic GP, with the Hesketh 308 one of the oldest in the race by at least nine years. The win marked the Hesketh’s best result ever in an historic race, eclipsing the two second-place finishes scored by Dundalk’s ex-F1 driver Tommy Byrne at Mondello Park in 2018. James was congratulated by ex-F1 driver Eddie Irvine who had travelled to Australia to watch the show. Speaking about his win, James said: “What an incredible experience it was to win the Phillip Island Historic Grand Prix. I didn’t expect it but it’s a great feeling to have done so. Historic F1 racing has been a lifelong passion and has turned into a competitive sport for me. I love it and the community - the people you meet and the people who run it.” James is spending more of his time in Australia as he expands the Hagan Homes footprint, with a series of sustainable homes in planning.
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Dancing across the tarmac to the treble notes of a BDA
The words of a traditional Irish song been chosen by Alan (Plum) Tyndall to open his fourth book in his series of publications covering the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship round winners. ‘The Kerry Dancers’ (Killarney Rally of the Lakes Winners 1979 – 2022), like ‘Heroes of the Hills’ (Donegal International Rally winners), ‘The Western Warriors’ (Galway International Rally winners), and ‘Coleman Country’ (Cork 20 and West Cork Rally winners), has 100 full-colour pages of reports illustrated by the best lensmen in the land including the late Esler Crawford, Martin McCorriston, Seamus Counihan, Colin Courtney, Adrian Crawley, Dermot Kelleher, Kevin O’Driscoll, Martin Walsh and most importantly the RallyRetro archive. And that song? The spirit of the Rally of the Lakes, as Plum sees it, is all in the lyrics. The drivers dancing across the tarmac, thrilling the punters with the ring of their piper’s tune, the treble notes of the BDA’s and BDGs, and the bass sounds of the flat-fours; and the with boys gathering in wild delight in the glade of a summer’s night to acknowledge the heroes who have come to conquer in the greatest of Ireland’s rallying playgrounds, the Kerry mountains. ‘The Kerry Dancers’ covers the forty Killarney Rally of the Lakes and takes you from Group 4 days, through the Group B and Group A years, then the splendour of the World Rally Cars, and into the current R5 era. Available online at https://rpm-motorsport.com/store
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The words of a traditional Irish song been chosen by Alan (Plum) Tyndall to open his fourth book in his series of publications covering the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship round winners. ‘The Kerry Dancers’ (Killarney Rally of the Lakes Winners 1979 – 2022), like ‘Heroes of the Hills’ (Donegal International Rally winners), ‘The Western Warriors’ (Galway International Rally winners), and ‘Coleman Country’ (Cork 20 and West Cork Rally winners), has 100 full-colour pages of reports illustrated by the best lensmen in the land including the late Esler Crawford, Martin McCorriston, Seamus Counihan, Colin Courtney, Adrian Crawley, Dermot Kelleher, Kevin O’Driscoll, Martin Walsh and most importantly the RallyRetro archive. And that song? The spirit of the Rally of the Lakes, as Plum sees it, is all in the lyrics. The drivers dancing across the tarmac, thrilling the punters with the ring of their piper’s tune, the treble notes of the BDA’s and BDGs, and the bass sounds of the flat-fours; and the with boys gathering in wild delight in the glade of a summer’s night to acknowledge the heroes who have come to conquer in the greatest of Ireland’s rallying playgrounds, the Kerry mountains. ‘The Kerry Dancers’ covers the forty Killarney Rally of the Lakes and takes you from Group 4 days, through the Group B and Group A years, then the splendour of the World Rally Cars, and into the current R5 era. Available online at https://rpm-motorsport.com/store
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COLEMAN COUNTRY
Cork 20 & West Cork Rally Winners 1977 – 2021
Coleman Country is the third in a series of fascinating RPM publications that chart the achievements of Irish Tarmac Championship round winners in the various regions of our land.
Like ‘Heroes of the Hills’ (Donegal winners) and the ‘Western Warriors’ (Galway winners), ‘Coleman Country’ highlights the ‘Rebel County’ heroes, but unlike its predecessors it uniquely covers two regional internationals – The Cork 20 and the West Cork events.
Alan (Plum) Tyndall, producer of the classic RPM television series has written the words in consultation with rally historians like Kevin O’Driscoll and Martin Walsh, and gathered the pictures from many of the best rally action ‘snappers’ in the country, and particularly the RallyRetro archive.
Purchase RPM’s latest book release, COLEMAN COUNTRY now at a 25% discount. This offer is available from the 7th to the end of January 2022. You can get this spectacular 160-page full-colour book from the RPM website www.rpm-motorsport.com
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Cork 20 & West Cork Rally Winners 1977 – 2021
Coleman Country is the third in a series of fascinating RPM publications that chart the achievements of Irish Tarmac Championship round winners in the various regions of our land.
Like ‘Heroes of the Hills’ (Donegal winners) and the ‘Western Warriors’ (Galway winners), ‘Coleman Country’ highlights the ‘Rebel County’ heroes, but unlike its predecessors it uniquely covers two regional internationals – The Cork 20 and the West Cork events.
Alan (Plum) Tyndall, producer of the classic RPM television series has written the words in consultation with rally historians like Kevin O’Driscoll and Martin Walsh, and gathered the pictures from many of the best rally action ‘snappers’ in the country, and particularly the RallyRetro archive.
Purchase RPM’s latest book release, COLEMAN COUNTRY now at a 25% discount. This offer is available from the 7th to the end of January 2022. You can get this spectacular 160-page full-colour book from the RPM website www.rpm-motorsport.com
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Déjà vu Motorsport Donagh Day raises €16,000 for The Bluestack Special Needs Foundation.
Déjà vu Motorsport, the non-competitive day out that brings old friends and their cars together, was back on the road in Donegal Town on the 24th October. The five-time Irish Tarmac Rally Champion Austin MacHale, rolled through the start arch at the Quay Car Park in front of huge crowds on the twenty-five-mile parade from Donegal Town to The Stables Motorsport Centre in the Frosses. Following behind was Gareth MacHale, then Donagh Kelly, the patron of The Stables Motorsports Centre and an Irish National and Tarmac Champion. Denis and Stuart Biggerstaff, Mike Dunnion in his 1978 Vauxhall Chevette HSR; Simon Woodside in a 1989 BMW M3; Alan and Bryan Jardine in their 1968 Mk I Escort Twin-Cam, Niall and William Creighton in a 1965 Lotus Cortina, Elgin and Jonathan Greer in an ex-works Mini Cooper S, Richard Hogg in the thundering V8 Rover SDi, Mark and Rory Doyle in their ex-MacHale Celica ST185 and Mervin Johnston, another multiple Historic rally winner, as always, a Mini Cooper S. Representatives from the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation, Patrick McBrearty (Trustee), Wendy McCarry (CEO) and Rachael Giblin (Community Services Programmes Manager) met with Déjà Vu Motorsport organisers Dr. Beatty Crawford, Alan “Plum” Tyndall and Eamonn Kelly representing the Stables Motorsport Centre, to receive a cheque for €16,000.00 after their highly successful event.
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Déjà vu Motorsport, the non-competitive day out that brings old friends and their cars together, was back on the road in Donegal Town on the 24th October. The five-time Irish Tarmac Rally Champion Austin MacHale, rolled through the start arch at the Quay Car Park in front of huge crowds on the twenty-five-mile parade from Donegal Town to The Stables Motorsport Centre in the Frosses. Following behind was Gareth MacHale, then Donagh Kelly, the patron of The Stables Motorsports Centre and an Irish National and Tarmac Champion. Denis and Stuart Biggerstaff, Mike Dunnion in his 1978 Vauxhall Chevette HSR; Simon Woodside in a 1989 BMW M3; Alan and Bryan Jardine in their 1968 Mk I Escort Twin-Cam, Niall and William Creighton in a 1965 Lotus Cortina, Elgin and Jonathan Greer in an ex-works Mini Cooper S, Richard Hogg in the thundering V8 Rover SDi, Mark and Rory Doyle in their ex-MacHale Celica ST185 and Mervin Johnston, another multiple Historic rally winner, as always, a Mini Cooper S. Representatives from the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation, Patrick McBrearty (Trustee), Wendy McCarry (CEO) and Rachael Giblin (Community Services Programmes Manager) met with Déjà Vu Motorsport organisers Dr. Beatty Crawford, Alan “Plum” Tyndall and Eamonn Kelly representing the Stables Motorsport Centre, to receive a cheque for €16,000.00 after their highly successful event.
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John Lyons achieved unique historic result
Back in 1974 John Lyons from Castlederg set out to achieve what many thought was a logistical impossibility, to win all four major autotest titles in one year, the Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, and the two British championships. John had made his autotesting comeback following 18 months in hospital after a severe car accident. Tossing his crutches in the back of the car, he was determined to re-establish himself and went out to win. By June the young bank official had two already under his belt, the British, and the RAC, and in August added the Northern Ireland title. Only the Eire championship remained to be decided. As the reigning title-holder he held off a strong challenge in the final from Dermot Carnegie to add the Republic of Ireland championship to a memorable year. He had completed more than 40 events since January in the Mini 1275GT. His sheer determination coupled with his natural skill at car manoeuvreablity had brought him a unique distinction – a feat which has not been repeated in the past forty-six years! Read the whole story in CarSport Yearbook..
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Back in 1974 John Lyons from Castlederg set out to achieve what many thought was a logistical impossibility, to win all four major autotest titles in one year, the Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, and the two British championships. John had made his autotesting comeback following 18 months in hospital after a severe car accident. Tossing his crutches in the back of the car, he was determined to re-establish himself and went out to win. By June the young bank official had two already under his belt, the British, and the RAC, and in August added the Northern Ireland title. Only the Eire championship remained to be decided. As the reigning title-holder he held off a strong challenge in the final from Dermot Carnegie to add the Republic of Ireland championship to a memorable year. He had completed more than 40 events since January in the Mini 1275GT. His sheer determination coupled with his natural skill at car manoeuvreablity had brought him a unique distinction – a feat which has not been repeated in the past forty-six years! Read the whole story in CarSport Yearbook..
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'Heroes of the Hills' launched in Donegal
A new 80 page book – ‘Heroes of the Hills’, about the winners of the Donegal International Rally (1972 – 2018), was launched at the start of the 2019 event. Broadcaster and journalist Alan (Plum) Tyndall and Ireland’s acclaimed photographer Dr. Esler Crawford, who have been enthusiastic followers of the Donegal Rally since its inception, have combined to put into words and pictures, a record of the winners in the rally’s forty-six year history. From Cathal Curley (1972) to Manus Kelly (2018) there have been twenty-three drivers who have triumphed and top of that list comes Andrew Nesbitt, a six time winner, who is featured on the cover. There has also been three World Rally Champions in ‘The Hills’ - Ari Vatanen and Sebastien Loeb who came to win, and did, and Colin McRae who came along just for the craic. Between Curley and Kelly’s three wins apiece there have been many ‘Heroes in the Hills’ and sadly some of them are no longer with us. But none have been more popular than the four local drivers who have taken the top honours - Vincent Bonner (1983), James Cullen (1991 – 1999) and Manus Kelly (2016 – 2017 – 2018). ‘Heroes of the Hills’ will be on sale for £15 (€19) online on www.rpm-motorsport.com
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A new 80 page book – ‘Heroes of the Hills’, about the winners of the Donegal International Rally (1972 – 2018), was launched at the start of the 2019 event. Broadcaster and journalist Alan (Plum) Tyndall and Ireland’s acclaimed photographer Dr. Esler Crawford, who have been enthusiastic followers of the Donegal Rally since its inception, have combined to put into words and pictures, a record of the winners in the rally’s forty-six year history. From Cathal Curley (1972) to Manus Kelly (2018) there have been twenty-three drivers who have triumphed and top of that list comes Andrew Nesbitt, a six time winner, who is featured on the cover. There has also been three World Rally Champions in ‘The Hills’ - Ari Vatanen and Sebastien Loeb who came to win, and did, and Colin McRae who came along just for the craic. Between Curley and Kelly’s three wins apiece there have been many ‘Heroes in the Hills’ and sadly some of them are no longer with us. But none have been more popular than the four local drivers who have taken the top honours - Vincent Bonner (1983), James Cullen (1991 – 1999) and Manus Kelly (2016 – 2017 – 2018). ‘Heroes of the Hills’ will be on sale for £15 (€19) online on www.rpm-motorsport.com
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KEEP THE REVS UP! Plum's Petrolhead Ponderings -
Alan (Plum) Tyndall has been the television voice of Irish motorsport for more than a quarter of a century, but did you know that he is the son of a Bishop; He survived a major rail disaster in London; Was Irish Saloon Car Racing Champion; Went 'behind the lines' during the Troubles; mingled with the motoring mighty; and became a rumoligist in Barbados.
His lighthearted biography tells you a lot more about the RPM man and the characters he has consorted with, and the title 'Keep the Revs Up'. That's 'Revs' for the roaring engines that he has so revered, and 'Revs' for the reverend gentlemen that he was surrounded by in his early years.
Copies of the book are available from www.rpm-motorsport.com .
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