Double O Sullivan !
The recent May bank holiday saw the 44th running of the Access Ireland Rally Of The Lakes, one of Ireland’s top rally events, and it was a fantastic weekend. Big crowds came to Killarney, and the lovely weather made it even better for both the drivers and the many people who came to watch.
Photo by Ray Corkery
Leading the pack at the start was local co-driver Noel O Sullivan Jnr. He was guiding Derry driver Callum Devine in their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. They had won the rally for the past three years and were hoping to make it four in a row – something only the legendary Bertie Fisher managed back in the early 90s.
Also taking part again this year was his father Noel O Sullivan Snr, who runs a garage Barry’s Lane Garage and lives in Muckross.
He drove his Mk2 Ford Escort. Noel Snr actually competed in the very first Rally Of The Lakes back in 1979! This year was his 41st time taking part, having only missed the event three times in the late 80s. Beside Noel Snr in the car, for his 33rd start and his 30th year of reading the pace notes for Noel, was Nicholas Burke, who lives in Woodlawn.
The two-day event contested over 15 stages saw Noel Jnr help his driver Callum achieve a historic fourth consecutive victory. Not to be outdone, his father Noel Snr and Nicholas, who have both won the Irish Tarmac Modified Championship in the past, brought their Escort home to finish first in their class overall. It was a special double win for the O Sullivan family in the rally.
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