24/11/2022
CLARE DRIVER’S UNIQUE KILLARNEY RECORD
Clare-based driver Keith Naughton has a unique record when it comes to the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally.
He has contested every event to date – all 22 that ran and he even entered the 2015 edition that was cancelled at the last minute thanks to flooding caused by Storm Desmond.
He is back this year for his 23rd attempt at the event – surely a record and certainly a record for any driver outside of Killarney and District Motor Club.
Back in 1996, he finished second in class to KDMC stalwart Noel O’Sullivan who were both driving 1300cc Ford Escorts.
O’Sullivan surely holds the record as the most local events contested by a KDMC member.
Naughton is looking forward to yet another run in Ireland’s only rally dedicated to historic machinery.
“The first time in 1996 when we heard of this “Baby Lakes Rally” the excitement was overloaded,” he said,
“I always remember collecting the road book from [rally founder] Maurice Nagle’s House and a young Paul asking what car had I. To the best of my knowledge, I am the only competitor to have driven on all the rallies.
"It still gives me goosebumps when the barrier is opened when the officials let us through as we are heading to the arrival control on Moll’s Gap.”
