KEEP HER FLYING – IRELAND’S RALLY HEROES: RallyBuzz book review
Richard Young's fascinating new book on Irish rallying, entitled Keep Her Flying - Ireland's Rally Heroes, is an absorbing read.
The Appletree Press book traces Irish involvement in the sport from the Monte Carlo Rally of the 1950's right through to Rally Ireland.
Ireland's rallying heroes included are: Paddy Hopkirk, Billy Coleman, Bertie Fisher, Austin MacHale, Frank Meagher, Kenny McKinstry, Cahal Curley, Andrew Nesbitt, Ronnie Adams, Rosemary Smith, Adrian Boyd etc. etc. There are honary Irishman like Ari Vatanen, Jimmy McRae, Colin McRae and Sebastien Loeb, featured as well.
Keep Her Flying focuses on the main characters and talent to come out of these Islands starting with post-war hero Cecil Vard and working its way through to the present day with Kris Meeke.
The success of the Irish tarmac championship is detailed from the beginning in 1978 and the book captures all the heroic performances over the years.There is a chapter dedicated to the co-drivers who hailed from these parts, eg: world stars Terry Harryman and Fred Gallagher, which highlights their contribution to the sport. Changes to the cars and servicing over the years is also covered.
The book is full of Richard's witty observations, interesting facts and competitor anecdotes. Did you know for instance that Dessie McCartney is the only person in Ireland to win International rallies both as a driver and co-driver. Also, there is the story about a navigator who drove a stage on his own in Donegal and nearly got away with it.
The photographs are excellent and capture the true essence and spirit of rallying in Ireland. They are taken by some of the most respected Irish rally photographers and range from the trial events ot the 50's right up to the present day.
The future of rallying in Ireland is examined and the author looks at the changes happening to the sport at the top level.
Keep Her Flying is an enjoyable read and achieves its goal in attempting to look under the skin of Ireland's rally heroes.
The book is dedicated to all marshals, without whom there wouldn't be any rallying.
Keep Her Flying is available now from all good bookshops in Northern Ireland (RRP) £19.99
Keep Her Flying is available now from Amazon priced from £13.99
The book can be ordered here
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