No guts, no glory Kelly

Frank Kelly in action - Picture John Kilbride

Published on 23/05/2012 00:08

The Kelly Motorsport team had the rally of their lives in Carlow, all the top MK2 Escorts from around Ireland, England and Wales attendance for the annual Challenge Rally - the premier event for any MK2 driver.

With such a line-up, it was crucial to hit the ground running and Moy man Frank Kelly with his navigator Liam Brennan (Cork) weren’t far into the first stage when they hit a rock very hard, bending a front strut and breaking a chassis leg.

Luckily, they were able to continue on to the end of the stage.

The crew carried out temporary repairs to try and continue, with two damaged wheels and only one spare, the next two stages completed with a slow puncture in the rear.

It’s testament to the strength and performance of the Kumho tyre that they survived that loop.

Thankfully they made service where the service crew with all hands on deck attacked the car and had the boys on their way within the time limit. The second loop went well, the boys fought their way back into the lead with a do-or-die attack.

On the last loop the battle continued with Gary McPhillips and Declan Boyle; however, Frank and Liam extended their lead to finish first 2wd, MK2 Challenge winners and fourth overall, a position that the boys never thought possible.

Thanks must go to everyone who helped out and to all the supporters and well wishers. “We never realised we had so much support” said Frank.

Well done to the club for running such a superb rally with fast flowing stages and a heartfelt thanks to Phil at Kumho, John at JRE race engines, Dave and Rob at Elite Transmissions and Jamie of DMS shocks.

This now keeps the team well on track within the Dunlop National Tarmac Championship.

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No guts, no glory Kelly

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