Nutt wins Killarney Historic Rally

For the fifth time in succession, Dessie Nutt (Porsche 911) has won the Killarney Historic Rally.

Sun, 01 Dec, 2002 - 20:15

For the fifth time in succession, Dessie Nutt (Porsche 911) has won the Killarney Historic Rally.

He led from the start of today’s ten stages, gradually building up a strong lead, he finished one minute and 20 seconds ahead of the similar Porsche of John Keatley, who spun and lost time on the Tim Healy Pass.

Philip Wylie (MG B) crashed on the first stage, Molls Gap and on the second test, another contender, Drexel Gillespie lost time when his Louts Cortina developed a problem with the distributor.

The Post Historic category was much closer with John Farrell (Escort), who led from the start, just eleven seconds ahead of the Escort of Martin Freestone at the finish.

In the Classic category, early leaders, Philip Shaw and Donie O’Sullivan both had problems as Phil Collins came through to take a fine win. O’Sullivan led initially but Shaw stepped up his challenge to lead at the end of S.S. 3.

O’Sullivan punctured his Escort that subsequently damaged the steering.

When Shaw retired with clutch failure, Collins was well on his way to victory and O’Sullivan recovered to take second with Wesley Patterson also in an Escort, taking third, despite losing time with an exhaust problem.

HISTORIC CATEGORY

1. D. Nutt/G. McBride (Porsche 911) 1h. 41m. 04s.

2. J. Keatley/M. Beckett (Porsche 911) 1h. 42m. 25s.

3. M. Johnston/R. Hyland (Mini Cooper) 1h. 44m. 09s.

4. C. Ward/T. Horan (Mini Cooper) 1h. 44m. 40s.

POST HISTORIC CATEGORY:

1. J. & C. Farrell (Ford Escort) 1h. 38m. 01s.

2. M. Freestone/C. Hayes (Escort) 1h. 38m. 11s.

3. R. & E. Cunningham (Mini Cooper) 1h. 39m. 38s.

4. L. & L. Hutchinson (Mini Cooper) 1h. 40m. 01s.

CLASSIC CATEGORY:

1. P. Collins/H. Davies (Escort) 1h. 32m. 50s.