Overseas interest in Circuit of Kerry

THIS year’s Rose Hotel Circuit of Kerry has attracted overseas entries from England Scotland andWales.

One of the leading overseas entries is Welshman Dai Roberts. The Carmarthenshire-based competitor is no stranger to Ireland having contested many of the country’s rallies as a co-driver including the recent West Cork International Rally. He also competes as a driver, in a Peugeot 205 GTi, mainly in club events in Wales, England and the Isle of Man but has chosen the Rose Hotel Circuit of Kerry to make his Irish driving debut.

“I am buzzing, I can’t wait,” he said. “I am coming purely for the cr aic and all going well I well be back in Kerry for the Killarney historic rally in November.”

Scottish driver Billy Cowe makes the long trip from Cockburnspath, Berwickshire, Scotland, to Tralee, a journey of over 800kms not including ferry crossings. He has competed in Mayo and Clare in the past, but this is his first trip to Kerry.

London Irish Motor Club will be well represented on the entry list which is due to be published before the end of the month.

Galway man John Reddington is the current Flanders International Rally Challenge champion. He is chasing his third Belgian title in a row this year and is using the Circuit of Kerry as a shakedown event ahead of round one of the FIRC in late April.

Hertfordshire-based Listowel man Ross Hilliard will make his rally debut on the Circuit of Kerry. His father Ray and uncle John are long-time supporters of the Circuit of Kerry. He will drive a Volkswagen Polo on the event, a car he recently purchased from fellow UK-based Kerry man Mick Smith.

London Irish Motor Club will put up a trophy for the best overseas competitor on the event.

The London Irish Motor Club trophy will be presented to the first competitor with an overseas address (either driver or co-driver and not necessarily a London Irish MC member) to cross the finish line at the Rose Hotel on April 7.

Circuit of Kerry latest

ONE of the most coveted trophies presented each year after the Circuit of Kerry Rally is the James O’Rourke Memorial Trophy.

James was a long-time member and supporter of Kerry Motor Club until he tragically died in a road accident in 2002.

The highest placed Kerry Motor Club crew on the Circuit of Kerry receive the James O’Rourke memorial trophy.

His brother Paddy is a past winner of the trophy, but this year, James’ son Jamie is a contender for the trophy for the first time.

Jamie will co-drive for his uncle Paddy on the April 7 rally, and with stages close to their Brosna home they should be in contention in their Escort Mk2.