Motorsport: Jonny Greer heads to Killarney looking for hat-trick of victories ahead of 'Flying Finn'

Last year’s World rally champion Kalle Rovanpera is expected to attract plenty of spectators. 

Belfast’s Jonny Greer (Ford Sierra Cosworth 4x4) seeking a hat-trick of wins of the Killarney Towers Hotel Kilarney Historic Rally. Picture: Martin Walsh. Martin Walsh.

Belfast’s Jonny Greer brings his Ford Sierra Cosworth 4x4 to Killarney in search of a straight hat-trick of wins in tomorrow’s (Saturday) Killarney Towers backed Killarney Historic Rally that is expected to attract hordes of spectators due to the presence of last year’s World rally champion Kalle Rovanpera. The “Flying Finn” will pilot the Jason Black rear wheel, right hand drive Toyota Starlet.

However, the main focus is on the Historic category that has more than doubled its entry since its inception in 1996. Evolution of the category has seen models like the BMW M3, Sierra Cosworth and Subaru Legacy join and beat the Ford Escort marque as history repeats itself in a Déjà vu of sorts.

The top 10 is very familiar to last year as Greer renews rivalry with the likes of Donegal’s Donagh Kelly (BMW M3), Killarney’s Alan Ring and a host of Ford Escorts in the hands of Tyrone’s Cathan McCourt, Welsh ace Neil Williams, Donegal’s Eamonn Kelly, Glounthaune’s Denis Moynihan and Welshman Tomas Davies.

Last year, Kelly led for the majority of the event only to be reeled in by Greer, who won by less than a handful of seconds. A repeat, provided they remain untroubled, is possible but unlikely to be an exclusive contest as Ring has unfinished business on his home event. Twice a runner-up, his graduation to the top step of the podium is conditional to having a clean run as he makes a late switch from his Subaru Legacy to the BMW M3.

On his bid for the hat-trick Greer said: “The first two weren’t easy and I suspect this weekend will be no different. Donagh (Kelly) gave me a hard time last year and he’s done a lot of European Historic events this year, so he will be a lot stronger. Eamonn (Kelly) has a lot of seat time too. When he gets a clean run Alan Ring is very competitive, Ray Breen as well, yea, it will be tough. It could all come down to the conditions, yes, we should have better traction but then our car is much heavier than the others. Tyre choice for the last two stages will also be important.” 

Local hero Rob Duggan (Ford Escort) is the top seed in the modified section and along with fellow locals Conor Murphy and Colin O’Donoghue, also in Escorts, Donegal’s Kevin Eves (Toyota Corolla) and Declan Gallagher (Toyota Starlet) are amongst a posse of drivers that will be delighted to have the opportunity pit their skills against double world champion Rovanpera. The Finn is out to enjoy his first taste of action in Killarney and his time over the opening stage at Moll’s Gap will be the source of much discussion. No doubt, his presence will swell the attendance but will also provide the organisers with an extra workload.

Tomorrow’s opening stage (Moll’s Gap) starts at 8.26am, followed by Ballaghbeama and Caragh Lake that are repeated prior to the double run over Kilcummin (2.38pm and 5.17pm) In motor racing and although Alex Denning describes the margins for error as non-existent, the Rathfarnham driver is looking forward to competing in the final pair of races of the GT4 European Series in Jeddah. 

A former Young Racing Driver of the Year Award winner, Denning drives the Elite Motorsport with Entire Race Engineering run McLaren Artura GT4 partnered by British driver Tom Emson. 

“I’m really looking forward to this once in a lifetime opportunity to race in Saudi Arabia. The margins for error are non-existent. It’s the same concept of Monaco, just at twice the speed.” 

Even though he’s never raced in the dark or for that matter on a street circuit, Denning is undaunted by either. “Those factors combined with the second highest average speed of any track in the world will make for an extremely exciting but risky race weekend. I’m feeling confident that we should be strong there. The McLaren is well suited to high speed corners and quick change of direction which will favour us.” 

His only concern is that the higher air temperatures will be unfavourable for the McLaren Artura as its engine struggles at high ambient temperatures.