DUGGAN TO DEFEND KILLARNEY VICTORY
Junior british champion back inane scort mk2 in kerry
Last year’s winner Rob Duggan will return to defend his 2016 Killarney Historic Rally victory next month after securing a Ford Escort Mk2 with a 2.5-litre Millington engine.
Duggan – the 2016 Junior British Rally champion – hasn’t competed since the Imokilly Mini Stages Rally in July. He’ll use the same car – owned by Colin Byrne – that he used on that event.
Duggan, then partnered by regular navigator Ger Conway, won the modern section of the 2016 event, beating stern competition on his debut in a 2.5-litre car, having won the Junior BRC in a Vauxhall Adam R2.
“We have to try and defend our win from last year. We were the underdogs then but I suppose this year will be different,” said Duggan. “It won’t be easy. There will be a lot of quick boys coming who’ve had a lot of time in their cars. It’ll be tough but I’m looking forward to the challenge and I hope the weather holds out.”
Duggan will be co-driven by sister Tara, her debut in a top-spec Escort.
For the modified class on the event, which includes Duggan’s Escort Mk2, the winner will receive the Paddy Kiernan Cup.
To be eligible for this award the driver must be resident in Westmeath, Meath, Longford, Monaghan, Cavan, Galway, Sligo, Mayo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Donegal areas.