American snow rally debut for Camp native Quirke
NEW York-based Kenneth Quirke is preparing to tackle the United States of America’s only all snow rally. The Camp native will codrive on Sno*Drift Rally February 19 and 20 for former Irish Tarmac Rally Champion John Coyne in a McKenna Motorsport prepared Ford Fiesta R5.
Quirke made his US rally debut last July on the Southern Ohio Rally and since competed on several other American rallies with various drivers.
Coyne, who is originally from Dublin, is now based in California. Although now in his early 70s, his appetite for the sport has not diminished. The 1982 Irish Champion is better known these days for the support he offers up and coming Irish drivers and co-drivers trying to make it on the international scene.
Based in Lewiston, Michigan, Sno*Drift Rally is the opening round of the American Rally Association’s National Rally Championship.
Other Irish entries include current ARA champions Barry McKenna and Leon Jordan (Ford Fiesta WRC) and Seamus Burke and Martin Brady (Ford Escort Mk2).
Coyne hires rally cars from McKenna Motorsport. The New York team usually employs experienced Irish co-drivers and flies them over the US for the weekend.
As a result of the current travel restrictions, McKenna Motorsport was unable to provide an Irish navigator, so the opportunity fell to Quirke.
“It is funny because my dad [Martin] remembers John competing on the Circuit of Kerry in the 1980s and here am I am going navigating for him,” said Quirke. “At the moment it is just a one-off event, but I am thankful for the opportunity.”
The Sno*Drift Rally will feature 17 stages (six on Friday and 11 on Saturday) and will feature over 180kms of snow-covered forest roads.
Nagle named Hyundai brand ambassador
PAUL Nagle has been named as a brand ambassador for Hyundai Ireland and Adams of Tralee. The Aghadoe man is preparing for his third partial season with the Hyundai Motorsport World Rally Team.
Nagle and his driver Craig Breen hope to contest at least six rounds of the World Rally Championship this season (depending on pandemic-based restrictions). Further details of their programme and new for 2021 livery will be released later this week.
Motorcycle racing
THERE was some Kerry success in the first motorcycle race of the
New Year in Australia. Darragh Murphy, the younger brother of Mountcoal racer Andrew Murphy, contested Friday night’s St George Motorcycle Club’s at Sydney Motorsport Park (Eastern Creek). He finished third on board his Honda CBR in the Pirelli 600cc race.