Rally Masters Kicked Off in Style with BMW Celebration – Photo Special
Rally Masters weekend got underway in Castleisland on Friday evening with a special celebration of BMW Motorsport at Ahern’s BMW showroom. The event ran from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and was free to attend.
The focus was on the legendary BMW M3 E30, with several famous examples on display. Taking centre stage was GXI 9487, regarded as the most famous M3 in Irish rallying history. Now owned by Denis Cronin, GXI was joined by a number of other M3s in iconic liveries, including a double-sided Tuff Mac/Xtravision design created to honour both Bertie Fisher and Austin MacHale’s 1990 Galway International Rally success.
A Rothmans-liveried M3 from Billy Coleman’s era also featured, thanks to overall event sponsor Aidan Long of Eamon Long & Co., a Cork-based plant parts supplier.
A host of drivers connected with BMW’s rallying history attended, including Patrick Snijers and Austin MacHale, while Alistair and Ivan Fisher were also present to mark the Fisher family’s connection to the car.
The evening also featured a Q&A rally forum, hosted by Kerry Motorsport News’ Sean Moriarty, where drivers linked to the BMW M3 were interviewed on stage. Other well-known competitors travelling to Killarney for Rally Masters dropped in, mingled with fans, and signed autographs.
Outside the showroom, visitors saw more M3 rally cars along with a selection of locally owned BMW classics. As Ahern’s are also Opel dealers, a number of Opel rally cars were on display, including Donagh Kelly’s ex-Vincent Bonner Opel Manta 400.
Catering for the evening was sponsored by Ahern’s BMW, adding to what proved to be a lively and memorable start to the Rally Masters weekend.
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Kerry Motorsport News 