Killarney Historic Rally details revealed

Details of the 2004 Killarney Historic Stages Rally were revealed at a launch last night at the Dromhall Hotel in Co Kerry.

The event's clerk of the course, Tim Clifford, revealed some of his plans for this year's rally, which will take place on Sunday, December 5.

These plans include nine special stages included in the proposed route, amounting to just under 100 miles of competitive driving.

The Killarney Historic Stages Rally, now in its ninth year, caters exclusively for crews who compete in cars dating from the 1960s and 1970s.

The rally has attracted some of the sport's most famous names since its inception. Scotland's Jimmy McRae - father of Colin - took part for the first time last year, and has indicated that he will return for the 2004 event.

Former Monte Carlo Rally winner and five times Circuit of Ireland victor, Paddy Hopkirk, made a guest appearance at the Launch. He will drive a course car on the 2004 Killarney Historic Stages Rally on behalf of the organisers, Killarney & District Motor Club.

A portion of each entry fee received for the 2004 Killarney Historic Stages Rally will be contributed to the RNLI Castletownbere.

Last year's Killarney Historic Rally winners were British visitors, Steve Perez and Peter Scott, who secured victory in a Porsche 911.