Millstreet club relives the Escort’s Circuit of Ireland breakthrough

A trip down memory lane allowed rally fans sample the magic and wonderful terrain across Cork and Kerry.

Millstreeet Vintage Club promoted the Circuit of Ireland ‘Stages Revisited Run’, the hosting acknowledging the Ford Escort’s first outright success in the race back in 1968, when UK driver Roger Clarke was behind the wheel and proceeded to complete a hat trick of consecutive wins.

Of course, Millstreet became synonymous with the Rally, with native Billy Coleman’s Escort collecting back-to-back wins in 1975 and 1976.

It was little wonder that a massive turn out supported the novel concept of saluting the Ford Escorts break through in the Millstreet Run, with organising spokesperson Donie Lucey saluted all involved.

“It was an outstanding success with 78 Cars taking part. A big thanks to the marshals and An Garda Síochána who kept the event flowing smoothly and to all the people helping out at documentation and sign on”, said Donie.

The Circuit has attracted the best drivers from across the globe, world championship winners Hannu Mikkola, Timo Salonen, Ari Vatanen, Stig Blomqvist, Juha Kankkunen and Henri Toivonen amongst the entries over the years.

Just one driver Pentti Airikkala had the distinction from outside Britain or Ireland to win the event with Russell Brookes and Jimmy McRae familiar names to stand on the winners rostrum.

“That’s how hard it was to win. The Circuit allowed the great names of Ireland and Britain challenge world champions over five-days of rallying”, said Donie.

For rally fans, the Circuit was magical, starting near Belfast, it meandered down the east coast to the Wicklow Mountains onto Killarney and up the west coast returning across the border to where it started.

“We organised the event to salute the 50th anniversary of the Ford Escort’s first outright triumph,” said Donie.

“It brought back great memories of the rally passing through Millstreet and tackling the Gortnagane stage before Killarney”, he added.

That Gortnagane stage revisited in summer 2018 saw a convey of prized vintage cars and associated rally cars take the latest Run before going onto the scenic Molls Gap, Ballaghbeama and Carragh Lake to complete a memorable outing

Afterwards, all convened at Torc Hotel, Killarney to recall the heady days of the great Circuit of Ireland.

Some of the participants supporting the Millstreet Vintage Club Circuit of Ireland ‘Stages Revisited Run’. Photos: John Tarrant.

Michael O’Callaghan from Castlemagner brought his prized 1979, 2-Litre Ford Capri on the Millsteeet Vintage Club Circuit of Ireland Stages Run.

Daniel Lucey at the head of the convoy of participants during the Millstreet Vintage Club ‘Stages’ run.

Myra Sheehan, Jenny May and Mairéad Hurley took entries for the Millstreet Vintage Club Circuit of Ireland Rally ‘Revisited Run’.

Coachford’s Stephen Sheehan and Ger O’Flynn under the bonnet prior to the Millstreet Vintage Run.