The official launch of the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally will take place this Sunday at the event’s headquarters, the Gleneagle Hotel.
Following a break since the May Bank Holiday Weekend, rallying is returning to Killarney on December 2 and 3.
The opening ceremony will take place on Friday night on the town’s Main Street, and is one of the many events in the Christmas in Killarney Festival.
The rally proper takes place on Saturday and this year, for the first time ever, competing crews will get three chances at the famous Moll’s Gap stage as well as two each over Ballaghbeama and Kilgobnet.
Entries will close next week but there is already unprecedented demand for the 140 or so available places.
Some of the big-name stars expected to compete in the rally will be announced at Sunday’s launch which is open to the public and begins at 4 pm.
“This is a great chance for the people of Killarney and Kerry to meet some drivers as well as a chance to see some of the country’s top historic machines up close,” said event clerk of the course Anthony O’Connor ahead of the launch.
“I am extending the invitation to everybody to come along for what is a fantastic day of chat and excitement as the 2022 edition of this great event is officially launched. A huge effort is going on behind the scenes to organise, what I believe, is the best one-day rally Ireland has to offer.”
The rally will conclude with a finish ramp ceremony on the grounds of the Gleneagle Hotel on Saturday evening ahead of a gala dinner and prizegiving later that night.
Following a break since the May Bank Holiday Weekend, rallying is returning to Killarney on December 2nd and 3rd as the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally takes centre stage in Kerry’s tourism hotspot to kick off the festive atmosphere on the first weekend of December.
The Killarney Historic Rally is once again backed by Mr Motorsport in Kerry Michael O Mahoney, who is the Managing Director of Rentokil Initial, Ireland’s Pest Experts.
“Plans are at an advanced stage now and it is all systems go for the 2022 event. It is a tough route and anyone who takes home silverware on Saturday will be deserving of their victory,” added the clerk of the course.
“The rally is always used to kick off the festive season in the town and I hope, as ever, the historic rally will give tourism in the town a well-deserved boost ahead of a busy Christmas period.”
Photo by Michael Hethrington
There is no confirmation yet if Craig Breen and Paul Nagle will defend their title. Breen is contesting this weekend’s Rally Japan with new co-driver James Fulton and Nagle has travelled to the event to complete the handover process.
A large overseas entry is expected including entries from Wales, England, the USA and continental Europe.
“Killarney is always a great attraction for overseas crews and the rally organisers are looking forward to welcoming many back on their return as well as welcoming multiple crews to Killarney for their first trip to the southwest of Ireland,” added Mr O’Connor.
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Kerry Motorsport News 