Willis in the Circuit driving seat

IT’s the second oldest rally in the world and the most recognised event in Irish motorsport. As the UTV Drive Circuit of Ireland gets underway from Dundalk early tomorrow afternoon, it’s also the beginning of a new era.

For the last five months, rally director, Bobby Willis has done little else but the proverbial “eat, sleep and drink” every aspect of the Easter classic. The Circuit gave Willis his first taste of rally action in 1977 in a Mk. 1 Ford Escort as co-driver to Clifford Davis. It was a much different event then, five tough days including the run down to Killarney and back up the west coast.

Willis has invested his own money in an attempt to rejuvenate the Circuit. He views it as a chance to reawaken a sleeping giant. His philosophy is simple, after a lifetime in the sport as a successful co-driver, map preparation expert and most recently as the man responsible for all the preparatory work in guiding VW to success in the Dakar Rally.