CIRCUIT DEJA VUE 2016 (CIRCUIT OF IRELAND)

[SMOKE GREY]

Just over six weeks now before we all gather in Killarney for the big party weekend. It’s an absolute sell out and we have had to close the books thanks to your fabulous response.

A TASTER
Here’s a sample of what’s in store, some of the people you will meet and the motors you will marvel at. Top of the bill are the seven former winning drivers and the ten winning co-drivers. You’ll see Paddy Hopkirk in his replica Mini Cooper S 33 EJB. Billy Coleman will be in John Mulholland’s fabulous Rothmans Porsche 911. Adrian Boyd will have his recently restored Renault Alpine out for the first time.



And that's only the start. We have yet to finalise the entry but cop some of these names and cars!

Graham Birrell from Scotland is a former international racing driver. Bill Blair from Doagh is bringing his 1963 Austin-Healey 3000 and Maurice Malcolm his 1967 example. Derek and Brian Boyd will be in a Lancia Delta Integrale as will Martin Buckley.

Martin Boyle is another former racing ace. Then there’s Russell Brookes and John Brown, two of our star guests in the Andrews Heat for Hire Lotus Sunbeam on loan from John Leahey. Dan Brosnan, Peter Doughty, John O’Kane and Patsy Keenan are making the long trip from the States.

But when it come to distance traveling Stephen Mills and Peter Lyster have to take the prize. Stephen, a former member of the Coleman team, will partner the great Millstreet driver in his 1974 Ford Escort - MEV 36 J. Whereas Peter who has come all the way from Perth, will be reunited with his old Circuit partner Ken Shields.

Andy Hennessy will be heading a Rootes Group invasion when he rolls into town with his Avenger estate towing the ex-works Hillman Imp - GZ1 that Rosemary Smith used on the 1965 and 1966 Circuits. Richard Claydon from Ruislip will have another ex-works Imp - FRW 304C. Then there’s James and Hillary Wilson and Harry Brown in their Hillman Avengers.


Hennessy’s Rootes Group armada Robert Porter’s 450 SCL

And of course Rosemary Smith will be with us along with two other great rallying ladies Maria Callanan (Maloney) and Melanie Fitzgerald- Power.

Pat Caulfield is bringing his ex-Per Eklund Gp. A, Toyota Corolla. The Dublin photographer Michael Chester, the legendry veteran driver Des Cullen and Nicky Porter from Durham are all in Mercedes, Nicky’s being a 1975 450 SLC.

As expected, in addition to Paddy Hopkirk’s Monte Mini, there will be a host of other Cooper S’s. Tom Clarke is bringing his from Wicklow. International rallyman Ian Corkill is bringing his Cooper S from the Isle of Man. Derek Smith has the Cooper S that was seeded No. 31 in the 1969 Circuit and Elkin Robinson has a 1964 Cooper S. Con Ward’s Cooper S and Ross Mathinson’s 1963 Mini adds to the BMC parade. Adrian Kermode is also come from the Isle of Man with an ex-works Golf GTI.

Keep a sharp eye in the corridors of The Malton as you will be likely to bump into many famous rally people. Donnie Keating, Geoff Crabtree, Francis Tuthill, Cathal Curley the winner in 1974, James Doherty, Joey Greenan, Frank Scanlon, Fred Patterson, David Yeates, Michael Dunnion who is bringing his 1979 Vauxhall Chevette HSR and Frank Fennell who will have his 1968 Circuit class winning NSU out on the classic stages. The former Irish racing and Tarmac Rally Champion Brian Nelson will also be there

Look out for the MG Midget mob. James Doherty is bringing his 1971 example down the road from Adare and Autotest expert Robert Holmes his beautiful home built car from Dromore. The Seed brothers David & Roy have 1961 and 1974 examples.

If you get lost, ask a co-driver and there will be plenty of them around! Austin Frazer, Ian Grindrod, Terry Harryman, all Circuit winners. Maurice Beckett, Paul Nagle, Dan O’Sullivan, Frank O’Donaghue, James O’Brien and Philip Short the three time Circuit winner who sat with both Jack Tordoff and David Llewellin, who will also be with us.

The list of drivers goes on, Drexel Gillespie and Richard Hogg are both bringing MkI Escorts as are John Kelleher and John McDermott. Gus Kearney will have his 1987 class winning Peugeot 205 GTi and Mervyn Johnston a 1979 ex-works Vauxhall HSR Chevette.

Liam O’Callaghan leads the VW parade in his dad Paddy’s old 1971 car – CZT 666, and there will be a number of the ‘big beetles’ with Derek Hadden, Shane O’Callaghan, and Dessie Wilson in Porsche 911s.

In addition to Adrian Boyd’s Renault Alpine 110, Jonathan Radley is bringing his beautiful little 1973 French GT – ZV 5079 and Donal O’Callaghan his ex-works 1970 Renault Alpine.


Renault Alpine 110 Vauxhall HSR Chevette

And the interesting entries just keep rolling in. The journalist Martin McCarthy will have a 1968 Alfa Romeo, Paul McCluney his 1980 Reliant Simitar GTE, Martin McGrath in the roaring V8 Sunbeam Tiger, Chris McNally’s 1982 Lancia Monte Carlo, Barney Noble’s 1960 107e Ford, Maurice Nagle’s 1965 Lotus Cortina, Daragh O’Callaghan’s 1973 Mini Innocenti, Michael O’Neill’s 1964 works replica Triumph 2000 and John Timony’s Ford RS 2000.

David Wylie is hoping to have his recently acquired ex- Warmbold BMW 2002 Ti prepared in time to bring it to Killarney and Des McWilliams is bravely bringing his 1934 Morgan F4 three-wheeler from Crosshaven. It will be the oldest and one of the most interesting cars on the classic Killarney stages.

We have three former bosses of the event coming. Malcolm Neill will arrive from Reading to recall the enormous contribution made to the event by his father Gordon, and his on time as Clerk of the Course in the very difficult years in the early ‘70s. Peter Allen another Clerk of the Course and the Ulster Automobile Club’s archivist will be with us as will Donald Grieve who guided the event in the glorious Group B, Rothmans sponsored years.

It will be great to have Gladys Fisher amongst us and there will be a big welcome for the veteran journalist Mike Greasley back in Ireland as there will for Mark Dixon and David Lillywhite who will be covering the event for Octane Magazine. This great Circuit re-union would not of course be the same without the seven-time winner Jimmy McRae who, as he was on so many of those Easter weekends, be accompanied by his wife Margaret.

[SMOKE GREY]

Through Mini Sport who back my rallying I am honoured that Paddy Hopkirk is entrusting me with his 33JB replica, to get it to Ireland for display in the hotel ballroom. Better still I/we are driving it round the 'sunday loop' of stages I will make sure I take plenty of photos, watch this space!

[billycooper]

Wow that's some event Steve, Keep us informed, Green with envy too !!

[minitravellerman]

Through Mini Sport who back my rallying I am honoured that Paddy Hopkirk is entrusting me with his 33JB replica, to get it to Ireland for display in the hotel ballroom. Better still I/we are driving it round the 'sunday loop' of stages I will make sure I take plenty of photos, watch this space!

Great to have the late Graham's McConnell's replica back on this side of the Irish Sea.

I had originally booked in for this event but through other circumstances I've had to pull out.

[mk1]

Great News Steve!

I am sure you will have a brilliant time & I look forward to seeing your pics.

Your tie up with Minisport is working brilliantly for both you & them. Keep up the good work!

M

[Pete]

Whizzo was telling me he's doing this in 120 MNP, some great names in that list Steve, sounds great fun!

[SMOKE GREY]

A couple of photos from my test drive last Saturday to make sure I was happy with the car. Strong and punchy jewel of a 1071 engine, what's not to like

[coopertim]

Great stuff Steve! Chance of a lifetime! Enjoy and keep the photos coming.

Tim

[billycooper]

http://youtu.be/-iQHcX0eSFQ

Some video from the top of the Healy pass !

[smithyrc30]

Great video but the weather do no look to be encouraging for you.

Having marshalled on some pretty cold and wet stages in the past, the sound of the rain hitting the microphone and seeing it coming down nearly sideways made me wince.

[billycooper]

Great video but the weather do no look to be encouraging for you.

Having marshalled on some pretty cold and wet stages in the past, the sound of the rain hitting the microphone and seeing it coming down nearly sideways made me wince.

Not taken by me , but yeah looked bl..dy windy, loads of pics on twitter #circuitdejavu

[SMOKE GREY]

A very busy weekend for myself and MRS E. one way another but still very enjoyable! Here are some pics, the first one of Paddys car in te hotel, easier said than done, trust me!



And here is one of Paddy and Terry Harryman following Jimmy McRae off on a loop of the traditional Sunday stages starting with Molls Gap, the last time Paddy and Terry did this was 1969 in GRX311D.

[SMOKE GREY]

Some more Minis taking part

[billycooper]

What's the story on the 1275 GTs Steve ?

[mk1coopers]

How can the EJB replica run on open roads without having it's actual number plate on display (or was this closed road) just asking as I've seen lots of pictures of it being driven on the 'borrowed' plate

[SMOKE GREY]

What's the story on the 1275 GTs Steve ?

Pair of early GT's that were run by a Leyland dealer, has some great photos and paperwork of them back in the day. Think they look ace!

[SMOKE GREY]

How can the EJB replica run on open roads without having it's actual number plate on display (or was this closed road) just asking as I've seen lots of pictures of it being driven on the 'borrowed' plate

Only in Ireland with permission, and only if owned and driven by Paddy Hopkirk MBE!! Doubt I/we would be allowed.

[Supersonic]

How can the EJB replica run on open roads without having it's actual number plate on display (or was this closed road) just asking as I've seen lots of pictures of it being driven on the 'borrowed' plate

Only in Ireland with permission, and only if owned and driven by Paddy Hopkirk MBE!! Doubt I/we would be allowed.

Steve, thank you so much for posting this thread and the nice photographs. I'm sure you had a brilliant time without doubt. I knew Graham McConnell all my life and seen the build of EJB taking place which in my view was a labour of love for Graham. His other Cooper S which in my opinion is a far nicer car is still owned by Graham's wife Patricia.

Who now owns the Green Mk1 Cooper S registration mark 6335 HZ

Alan

[SMOKE GREY]

The green car is owned by Derek Smyth , rallied on the Tulip rally as well as the COI back in the 1960s.

[Pete]

I knew Graham McConnell all my life and seen the build of EJB taking place which in my view was a labour of love for Graham.

Am I getting mixed up (again!) or isn't that the car that Nick Hunter used to own that also previous to him lived on the Wirral before it was 'EJB'd' so to speak? Didn't it have a 'BBL' reg number and before that a 'KOK' reg number?