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Best of the best to take part in Historic Rally

[caption id="attachment_23777" align="aligncenter" width="1772"] At the signing of a new three-year sponsorship deal for the Killarney Historic Stages Rally with Rentokil Initial were (front) Mike Marshall, (Assistant Clerk of the Course) Martin Farrell (Clerk of the Course), Michael O’Mahoney (Rentokil Initial) and Diarmuid Cronin (Chairman of Killarney & District Motor Club). Back: Johnny Hickey (PRO), Tom O'Connor (Rentokil Initial), Rose Cunningham (Rentokil Initial), Diarmuid Lynch and Darren McCormick. Pic: Eamonn Keogh.00[/caption]

BY JOHNNY HICKEY

Killarney and District Motor Club will hold the official launch of the ‘Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally’ this Sunday, in Scotts Hotel Killarney – and all are welcome to attend.

The rally - Ireland’s only event to cater solely for historic rally cars which brings a welcome revenue boost to Killarney town each year - will run on Saturday, December 1.

Sunday’s launch takes place at 3pm, and there will be some beautiful historic rally cars on display.

Officials, organisers, sponsors, distinguished guest speakers, WRC co-driver Paul Nagle and dignitaries of Killarney town will be on hand to support the event.

The rally will count as:

- First round of the 2019 Clonakilty Black Pudding Irish Tarmac Historic Rally Championship

- Final round of the 2018 Plasticbags.ie Southern Four Rally Championship

- Final round of the 2018 Kingdom of Kerry Rally Championship

- Final round of the 2018 HRCR West Wales Rally Spares - Stage Masters Challenge

Killarney and District Motor Club are also pleased to announce the appointment of their new clerk of the course for the Killarney Historic Rally 2018. Martin Farrell, who has vast experience under his belt competing as both a navigator and driver over the past 30 years, takes charge for his first year. Martin has also stepped up in various organiser rolls such as chief Marshal, Deputy COC and COC of our Autocross in the past.

Martin has put his own stamp on this year’s event, specifically building this year’s rally around the competitor. He has selected the best classic stages available around Killarney town, offering the competitor 120km of eight special stages followed by short road KMs.

The rally will be backed by Rentokil Initial Ireland as main title sponsor for the sixth consecutive year.

“On behalf of Rentokil Initial, I am once again delighted to be associated with this year’s Killarney Historic Rally,” managing director Michael O'Mahoney, said. “The event has grown from strength to strength and is a phenomenal success. Our desire to support the local community and businesses that have supported Rentokil Initial so loyally over the many years is the reason why we are once again involved with Ireland’s most prestigious rally.”

The rally is also supported by Cormac Casey of the Killarney Advertiser and the Gleneagle Hotel Group, who have backed the rally for many years and continue as associate sponsors.

The event, worth millions to the local economy, will once again be hosted at the Gleneagle Hotel, who are also supplying some great rally accommodation packages throughout the weekend.

There will be extensive TV coverage of this year’s event throughout the Christmas period on RTÉ, TG4, Setanta Sports, Motors TV and Sky Sports, by Mick Bracken from ‘On the Limit Sport’.

This will be a real Race of Champions and among the main attractions will be World Rally driver Craig Breen, who will be debuting his newly acquired MG Metro 6R4 in Killarney. He’ll also be teaming up once again with Paul Nagle on the notes.

It promises to be a spectacular event.