Irish rallying exploded in the 1980s! With major teams coming over to take part in events like the Circuit of Ireland and Donegal International, our shores have hosted some of the greatest rally drivers of all time.
Heading into the 1990s, the Group A machines entered the fray. Subaru Legacies and Imprezas, Ford Escort RS Cosworths and Toyota Celicas provided some of the greatest battles our sport has ever seen. Then as we headed into the 2000s, the WRC class took over.
At one stage Ireland had the greatest amount of privately owned WRC cars in the world, but as the 2010s came to a close, the vast majority of the WRC seemed to disappear as the new-wave R5 cars took over. Rallymasters took all the memories from Group B, Group A and WRC eras, and brought them back one more time.
It was a sunny yet overcast morning. I didn’t know if the sun was going to split the stones or if a monsoon shower of rain was coming. Once I entered the venue, there were rally fans as far as the eye could see.
A cavalcade of Group B, Group A and WRC cars were just about to fire up, as I took my post near the end of the grass strip, behind a white fence. Then, a Ford Focus came into view. Car number one, driven by Austin McHale shot past’ my mind was in ten different places, while my jaw was on the floor.
Irish legend Billy Coleman followed suit, behind the wheel of an E30 BMW M3 owned by co-founder of the event, Aidan Long. Next up, another WRC Ford Focus appeared, driven this time by current M-Sport WRC driver Josh McErlean.
Behind McErlean was a personal hero to many – multiple Belgian and European series champion, Patrick Snijers. Snijers was behind the wheel of another E30 M3, a replica of his infamous 1988 Manx rally car (the original was in attendance, on static display.)
Another car which caught the eye of many fans was Andrew Nesbitt’s 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer WRC, one of only four in the world! As the day went on, more and more iconic cars took to the track – including an ex Colin McRae Mk1 Ford Focus (the car he rolled at Rally GB in 2001), Toyota Corollas, Audi Quattros and MG Metro 6R4s to name a few.
Eventually there was time to take a break, and to catch up with some of the drivers. This gave fans the opportunity to get a photo or an autograph with their heroes, or simply to have a chat. There was a fantastic, laid-back atmosphere around the racecourse before action resumed once more.
Even though the event was not timed, you would think there was a rally win on the line for some! Overall, Rallymasters shone a light on the ever-changing history of our sport, and after taking it all in, I totally understand why people call the bygone eras the “golden age of rallying.”
Nothing like rallying in the old times truly a golden era
Absolutely! It was a real treat for everyone in attendance! The sound, sight and smell alone was just phenomenal!