After 100km of competitive action over some of Ireland’s most famous rally stages, including Molls Gap and Ballaghbeama, local driver John Mulholland and navigator Aidan O’Connor steered their mark 2 Ford Escort to a stunning class win at the Killarney Historic Car Stages Rally to open their haul of championship points for the 2014 season.

John stated that after a shaky start, the confidence grew for the pair and he is now looking forward to the Galway International Rally in February.

“This is the first time we have driven this potent mark 2 Escort and the Molls Gap stage provided an early morning fright as the back end of the car broke loose and we nearly ended up through the wall and down the side of the mountain. A combination of cold tyres and my own lack of experience in rear wheel drive were to blame. However we gathered ourselves together and set a target to beat our own times over every stage during the next loop of stages and we achieved this going quicker and quicker as our confidence in the car grew.” “We were delighted to finish and brought the car home totally unscathed after a demanding days rallying over some very tough stages. We look forward now to the Galway International Rally in early February where we normally face the challenge of very inclement weather including snow.”