Kris Meeke returns to Killarney Historic Rally aiming for redemption in Ahern’s BMW M3
World Rally Championship winner Kris Meeke will return to the Killarney Towers Hotel Killarney Historic Rally on November 29, set on putting last year’s heartbreak behind him and challenging for overall victory on the 30th anniversary event.
Meeke and local co-driver Noel O’Sullivan dominated last year’s event, leading from the opening stage right through to the penultimate test before a late mechanical issue ended their run. The pair return this year in the same iconic Ahern’s BMW M3 E30, prepared by MATS Performance.
The outing holds special significance for Meeke, offering a nod to his former long-time WRC co-driver Paul Nagle. Nagle, who co-drove alongside Meeke to claim five World Rally Championship event wins, serves as Clerk of the Course for this year’s milestone event. He follows in the footsteps of his late father, Maurice Nagle, who founded the Killarney Historic Rally 30 years ago.
Meeke and O’Sullivan arrive back in Killarney carrying winning momentum, having recently claimed overall victory at Rali Ceredigion in Wales, the penultimate round of the FIA European Rally Championship, behind the wheel of a Melvyn Evans Motorsport-prepared Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.
Speaking ahead of his return to the Kerry tarmac, Meeke expressed his excitement for the upcoming challenge.
“I’m delighted to go back,” said Meeke. “Last year was such a nice experience. To go back to Ireland to do some rallies was great, but in that car and in the atmosphere of the Killarney Historic at that time of year, there is something different. The conditions can always throw up something special with the wet weather, which adds an extra challenge to the rally.”
“Between Ahern’s, Michelin Tyres, Mallow Road Motors, O’Sullivan Sound Systems and Charlie Foley’s Bar we’re able to go back again in the M3. We couldn’t miss the 30th anniversary of the historic event, an event that Maurice Nagle got up and going. With Paul as Clerk of the Course, everything comes together nicely. We’re going for a weekend of fun to enjoy the car, try to get a result for everybody, and it will all be in memory of Maurice.”
Meeke also praised his co-driver O’Sullivan ahead of their reunion on home tarmac.
“Noel has been incredible. In our first rally together in a Rally2 car, we managed to get the job done at Rali Ceredigion in Wales, so I’m really happy to have him alongside me again.”
Meeke’s appearance on the rally is made possible by Paul Ahern of Ahern’s BMW in Castleisland, the local BMW main dealer, alongside support from Mallow Road Motors and Michelin Tyres. The outing coincides with the 40th anniversary of the legendary BMW E30 M3, with close to 20 examples set to tackle the Kerry stages in a bumper field, including Meeke’s version.
Welcoming the announcement, Paul Ahern of Ahern’s BMW said:
“We are delighted to support Kris and Noel in the Ahern’s BMW M3 E30 for the 30th anniversary of the Killarney Historic Rally. The E30 is an iconic car, and with almost 20 examples taking to the stages to mark its 40th anniversary, it is going to be a fantastic event for local motorsport fans.”
“Having a driver of Kris’s experience alongside Noel in front of a home crowd is brilliant for the rally. With the support of Michelin Tyres and MATS Performance, we are really looking forward to seeing them out on the stages.”
Kris Meeke and Noel O’Sullivan are supported in the Killarney Towers Hotel Killarney Historic Rally by: · Ahern’s BMW, Castleisland · Mallow Road Motors · Michelin Tyres · MATS Performance · O’Sullivan Sound Systems · Charlie Foley’s Bar
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