Halloween thriller for Irish rally heroes

Billy Coleman, Russell Brookes and Jimmy McRae – three legends of 1970s and ’80s Irish rallying – will be back in action for the Halloween Historic Stages in Ireland on Sunday October 31.

The Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club event will be based around Waterford and will take in stages previously used on the Circuit of Ireland Rally in the ’80s – an event won by all three drivers. Between them, Coleman, Brookes and McRae won the Circuit 13 times in 15 years from 1975-89.

“These three drivers are just the tip of the iceberg, as many more former greats have expressed an interest in the event,” said clerk of the course Donagh O’Sullivan.

Organisers hope the event, which ran for the first time in 2009, will become the biggest historic rally in Ireland. It will take in 80 competitive miles over eight special stages.