When was the last time there was a rally car on the Conor Pass?
It is nearly 18 years since a rally car was driven over the Conor Pass.
The last time the famous stage was used was during the 2004 Circuit of Kerry Rally. That event took place in April that year.
Since then the road has been partially upgraded and has simply become too fast for use as a stage. Despite all the widening work it still remains unpassable for trucks and busses but that is progress…eh?
The 2022 Bumblebee 1000 VIP Drive visited Kerry over the weekend. And it marked the first time in 18 years that a rally car was driven on the road to the top of Ireland’s highest mountain pass.
The supercar road run raised money for the Little Blue Hero’s charity, a not-for-profit charity operated entirely by Garda members and staff. It aims to help families in need from local communities in Ireland who have children undergoing long-term medical treatment for serious illness.
A fleet of amazing cars including Lamborghinis, McLarens, Bentleys, American muscle cars, Nissan GTRs, Audis, AMG Mercedes, Jaguars, and a Ford RS200 took part in this year’s event.
The latter joining a long list of rally cars that competed on the Circuit of Kerry and once ever during the 1974 Circuit of Ireland.
After setting out from Barberstown Castle in Straffan County Kildare on Saturday morning the cars and crews overnighted at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney.
They visited Tralee, Aughcashla and the Conor Pass on their way to the finish line at the Dingle Skellig on Sunday evening.
De Ja Vu Tralee on May 28 will be the next time rally cars are on the famous pass.
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