Kenneth Quirke’s debut on the Sno*Drift Rally in Michigan – the opening round of the American Rally Association National Rally Championship – ended after four of the event’s 12 stages.
The New York-based West Kerry man was co-driving for former Irish Tarmac Rally Champion John Coyne in a McKenna Motorsport prepared Ford Fiesta R5.
America’s only all snow rally is unique in the sense that Michigan State law prevents the use of studded tyres so competitors have to use regular forestry tyres on the extremely slippery roads.
It is, ultimately, what cost the Kerry/Dublin pairing a top ten finish.
“We are both ok,” Quirke told Kerry Motorsport News in the early hours of Sunday morning. “ We slid around on ice and hit a tree. Same corner as [teammate]Ryan Booth. It was very slippery. Pulled the ball joint off and steering arm broke. The car is not too bad, it is a pity but that is rallying.”
They were helped along the way by several other US-based Irish rally enthusiasts including Fenit native Dan Brosnan.
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