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Circuit of Ireland - well almost! It was the inaugural running of Scally Rally Ireland in early September and Tina and I were running in support of WaterAid hence Team H2O ( car 14). It was Tina’s first rally as a driver ( still recovering after a very serious motor cycle accident nearly 4 years ago) so it was to be a challenge for her. On Thursday 4th Sept we made our way to Birkenhead to board the ferry to Belfast. We met up with daughter Rachael and boyfriend Myc in their very colourful VW Polo on the dockside. After a smooth crossing of 8 hours and a pleasant lunch we found our way to the Seamans Mission for documentation. Met up with some enthusiastic crews, had a quick pint of Guinness and then headed for our Hotel on the south side of Belfast. Friday dawned and we had to make our way across Belfast during rush hour to the start venue. The TomTom had difficulty but we found our way eventually. We were very good and didn’t use the Sat Nav again during the event!
Belfast to Ballybofey This is like no other rally in that all 70 crews started at the same time in a haze of smoke and horn blowing ( no one minute intervals here!) We headed north for the Antrim Coast Road on a damp and grey day. This was the start of what is best described as a long-distance treasure hunt/ banger rally. 1000 miles plus in four solid days of motoring from Belfast - Ballybofey - Westport - Tralee - Kinsale, via the scenic route. All this to be done in a car or van costing no more than £100. That is the challenge! The road book was all Tulips and direction signs and was very well produced but best used in conjunction with a good map. On the Causway Coastal road an idiot came straight out of his driveway without looking and nearly collided with us. Tina managed to swerve but nearly hit a vehicle head on coming the other way. This was to be our only “ near miss “ of the rally. Shortly after this we were pulled in by the Police in a village and Tina was hand cuffed for apparently speeding! As it happens they were pretend police filming for RPM Motorsport - a N Ireland TV company. The film crew followed us around for the four days and bits were shown on N Ireland TV and a DVD is to be produced later in the year. During the rally there are various challenges that have to be done or answers to questions or photos to be taken a certain points. We missed the first one as I was still asleep then. Decided to give Giants Causway a miss as the car park were charging £5 plus it was very windy in the North. Stopped for a quick coffee at Glenariff, whilst finding the answer to an question. A bit further on was the Torr Head Scenic route where we were held up by Two Old Gits ( their words not mine) in Foxes Box a red Fiat Panda. We sped past and headed for lunch near Bushmills, where we chatted with a father and son crew from Newtown & Dist Automobile Club. Further north at Portrush we drove around part of the NW200 course - a famous motor cycle race circuit. Then on to a place called Muff where we crossed into the Republic and Euro land. The next bit was Malinhead the most northerly point on the mainland. By this point we were getting tired and still had another 60 miles to go for the day via Buncrana and Letterkenny to finish in Ballybofey for a good nights rest. We stayed in a very smart and expensive hotel whereas poor Myc and Rachael had to sleep in their car - as they did most nights. It was not a great nights sleep as there were lots of youths singing and shouting in the street until 4.30am when they finally went home. Ballybofey to Westport Picked up the days challenges at 9am and found out that most crews had left the start about 8am. ( The organisers had omitted to tell us) No matter we got on the road and headed north again via Letterkenny and Knockalla Hillclimb, which was closed due to Donegal MC running an event.Made it to Fanad Head but photographed the wrong sign and dropped points as a result. The correct sign proved ellusive. Next was the Atlantic Drive stage which was a twisty and undulating road with great views of the Atlantic. Finally made it to An Singing Pub, where Rachael and Myc were filmed with others singing a traditional Irish song. Fortunately we avoided the film crew and had our lunch on the bonnet of the car, which consisted of half a pint of Guinness and some food we had “stolen” from the hotel at breakfast. This was one of the challenges - to take a photo of the team having lunch on the bonnet of the car. Then some long road sections back down to Letterkenny and Ballybofey and on to Sligo and the Mullaghmore Stage as used on the WRC Rally Ireland. It was a glorious day with fine sea views. Then on to Ballina and Castlebar to reach Westport in early evening. A long day of 250 miles. As the hotels in Westport tend to be a bit expensive we found the one and only camp site for miles. There was no one to take money so we had a free night with lots of hot water in which to shower. I had a wonderful night’s sleep in the car and Tina slept well in a little tent. Westport to Tralee Day 3 and we made our way into town for the 8am start. The main challenge today was to take photos of 30 places or shops beginning with a certain letter of ones choice. However this proved too controversial and was later scapped! Route headed for the Doo Lough Pass, Joyce country, Cong and Galway. Nice weather and lovely scenery. It was on this section whilst in convoy with a few cars Rachael when to overtake a local car in her Polo when a huge plume of smoke was emitted from the exhaust. We thought for sure the engine had blown but she carried on at unabated speed! Next port of call was Lisdoonvarna, where the famous match making festival was in full swing. As there were some attractive looking women about I wanted to stop but Tina wouldn’t let me. Then on to catch a ferry across the Shannon into Co Limerick. Half way across the river, it was quite amusing, with lots of competitors crammed on board, an anouncement came over the tannoy “ will the crews from Car 78 and The Ghostbusters please return to their cars so they can pay the Ferryman” The Ghostbusters was a extraordinary looking vehicle and played the film theme when ever they stopped. They were to be awarded with Best turned out car - in the spirit of the Rally. Finally on to Tralee to find our hostel for the night. Tralee to Kinsale Met a crazy Frenchman whilst making tea and toast. He had a passion for Peugeots and 2CVs and was fascinated by our “ classic car “ rally. We escaped the charming French chap and made the start venue for Day 4. At the start hotel Rachael & Myc were pouring more oil into their engine and cramming grease into the CV joints. Headed for the Connor Pass and Dingle Peninsular. Interesting roads to say the least. Next came Killarney National Park and the famous Molls Gap Stage. Stopped for a coffee at the top by the Leprachaun Crossing. Met up with Surfy & Beth, who seemed to be enjoying the journey in their Tranny Van. The Tim Healy Pass came next. What a formidable piece of road! Stopped to ask Dan in his Mountain Cabin the answer to the next question and he suggested we read the sign. Turned out it was the Flat Rock, behind the cabin where coffins used to be placed when moving from one county to the next. Then on to Bantry for a quick café lunch. Mizenhead came next - another sticky- out bit into the Atlantic. Stopped for a glass of Murphy’s, whilst collecting some answers and chatted with some nice lads from N Ireland who were peddling a old Golf Diesel. Only another 30 miles to go! Leading a convoy we arrived to be met by the chequed flag in Kinsale, where it rained all evening and most of the night. Tom from Kent was very good and helped us find a B & B for the night. Turned out to be a delightful place and the best full Irish breakfast one could wish for. After dinner we ventured to the Rally Party and awards presentation. The Armagh Tigers - four blokes in a Cortina were announced as winners. Second were “ The Pan Handles” again a team of four in a Merc Estate. Had a chance to see the rough uncut version of the film produced by RPM. It had most people in fits of laughter. Didn’t stay late as we had a long drive home the next day. The Pug 205 Diesel ran perfectly throughout the event and Rachael & Myc made it home too. It was an enjoyable experience and as they say “ the craic was good “ Keith (& Tina) Cross |
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