Cork legend Billy Coleman rallies again

Famous rally legend Billy Coleman will be behind the wheel once again next month.

The Corkman has been confirmed for Rally Masters Ireland, the new demonstration-style event at Killarney Racecourse on Saturday 27 September.

The Millstreet maestro will drive a BMW M3 E30 supplied by Aidan Long. The car is a faithful replica of the one Coleman rallied in 1987, his last season as a professional driver. Finished in full period Rothmans colours, it is almost identical to the car that brought him to the end of his top-level career.

Adding to the occasion, the original Coleman BMW M3—registration GXI 9487—will also be in Killarney. Now owned by Denis Cronin, the car will appear on demonstration runs and be on display, giving fans the chance to see one of the most famous Irish rally cars of all time back alongside its most famous driver.

Coleman’s confirmation is another major boost for Rally Masters Ireland, which will see 50 cars and 50 drivers gather for a one-day showcase of iconic rally machinery. The 1.7km course at Killarney Racecourse will host everything from Group B monsters like the MG Metro 6R4, to Group A icons like the Subaru Impreza, right through to the early World Rally Cars.

He will be joined in Killarney by Patrick Snijers, the seven-time Belgian champion and 1994 European champion, who will drive a Bastos-liveried BMW M3 E30, and by World Rally Championship driver Josh McErlean, who will appear in a Ford Focus WRC.

The event is organised by Killarney and District Motor Club and co-promoted by Motorsport Ireland, with support from Kingfisher Insurance. It is being run in aid of two Irish children’s charities, The Jack and Jill Foundation and Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice.

Organisers are expecting a sell-out well in advance of rally day.