Nutt proves a cracker in Killarney Historic Rally

MAINTAINING his remarkable run of success on the Killarney Historic Rally, Dessie Nutt, co-driven by Geraldine McBride in a Porsche 911, won his fifth title when he finished the ten-stage event a minute and twenty one seconds ahead of the similar Porsche of John Keatley/Maurice Beckett.

The Post Historic category was won by John and Christy Farrell (Escort) while Welsh duo, Phil Collins/Howard Davies (Escort) won the Classic category.

Nutt charged through the opening stage at Molls Gap and instantly opened up a lead he was never to forfeit. He was 13 seconds quicker than Keatley, the only other driver to have won this event since its inception. Two of their protagonists hit trouble, Philip Wylie hit his MGB off a wall and into retirement, while Drexel Gillespie’s Lotus Cortina had to stop with a distributor malady that cost him several minutes and put him out of contention.