The BMV Rally Team has prepared Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team’s Kalle Rovanpera’s fantastic Toyota Starlet for its Killarney Historic Rally run this weekend in Kerry, Ireland.
Over the decades, this iconic event has drawn the attention of rallying royalty, with World Rally Champions gracing its stages to dazzle fans. This weekend, history will be written once more as the reigning WRC champion, Kalle Rovanperä, lines up to compete.
Rovanperä’s entry marks a monumental moment for the rally. Ireland’s rallying community still buzzes with memories of past champions tackling the stages of Killarney. The legacy began in 1994 when 1979 World Rally Champion Björn Waldegård, renowned for his graceful car control and an illustrious WRC career spanning over 15 years, competed in the Rally of the Lakes in a Historic Porsche 911. Paired with Northern Ireland’s Beattie Crawford, Waldegård dominated the Historic Category, taking victory by more than two minutes. The Swedish maestro, famed for his mastery of the grueling Safari Rally, brought a global spotlight to Killarney’s rallying pedigree.
A decade later, the rallying world was shaken once again when 1995 World Rally Champion Colin McRae arrived in 2005 with his Ford Escort Mk2. Using the Rally of the Lakes to fine-tune his new machine, McRae’s performance redefined the limits of possibility. Running as a 00 car, he turned each stage into a jaw-dropping spectacle, showcasing his unparalleled bravery and flair. To those who witnessed McRae’s virtuoso display, it wasn’t just rallying—it was art in motion.
The Killarney Historic Rally’s history also includes a future champion. In 1994, Phil Mills, who would later claim the 2003 WRC crown alongside Petter Solberg, competed as co-driver for Stephen Finlay in a Ford Escort Cosworth. The duo locked horns with rally legends Bertie Fisher and Rory Kennedy, creating a thrilling battle that ended with Fisher’s fifth consecutive Killarney win. Mills’ journey through these Irish roads foreshadowed his eventual ascent to rallying’s highest honor.
Now, Kalle Rovanperä and co-driver Jonne Halttunen are poised to add their names to this illustrious list. Their participation is a once-in-a-generation spectacle, evoking the awe and anticipation that only champions can bring. Fans lining the stages this weekend are in for an unforgettable treat as the young Finn, fresh off his latest WRC exploits, demonstrates his exceptional talent on the iconic Irish roads.
The rallying fraternity is ready. The legends of Killarney have laid the groundwork, and now it’s time for a new chapter. Kalle’s participation will not only cement his name in Irish rallying folklore but also remind us of the timeless allure of this historic event.
