The Vintage Shamrock Rally, which took place from May 12 to 15, 2025 and led through some of Ireland's most beautiful landscapes, traditionally only featured pre-war vehicles. Organized by Rally the Globe in collaboration with Irish Racing Green, the event has become a firm fixture in the rally calendar for pre-war vehicle enthusiasts, with the 6th edition being celebrated in 2025.
After four glorious days, 500 miles driven and many a stage completed, victory went to the 1933 Frazer Nash TT Replica driven by the Theo Hunt / James Galliver team.
It was a historic win as it is the youngest team in Rally the Globe history to take first place in a rally. The former school friends have already taken part in the "Generations Rally" together, an event organized by the organizer to introduce younger participants to long-distance rallies in charismatic cars from times gone by.
Start your engines!
The rally started at the luxurious five-star Fota Island Resort and returned to the spectacular coastline and mountains of the Cork and Kerry regions in 2025.
More than three decades of automotive history were on display among the 64 cars taking part. The oldest car in the field was an Alvis 12/40 from 1923, while the youngest vehicle was an MG TC from the late 1940s. As well as a strong turnout of Bentley and Frazer Nash marques, there was also a wide selection of vintage Talbots, BMWs, HRGs, Rileys, Triumphs, Aston Martins, Jaguars and rarer marques such as Rockne and Lancia.
After the technical checks, the rally began with a series of timed and regularity stages and regulations in the foothills of the Nagle Mountains.
Early front runners and Irish legends
Graham Goodwin and his wife Marina, driving their 1925 Bentley Supersports, set the pace. Close behind, Andrew and Ann Boland in their 1934 Talbot AV105 held Irish honor high.
On the second day, however, there were big changes at the top. The route heading west took the participants to Sheen Falls Lodge, another five-star resort hotel with a panoramic view over Kenmare Bay.
Soon after, the field reached "Coleman Country", named in honor of Irish rally legend Billy Coleman, where they had to complete a stage on dusty, closed roads through rapeseed fields.
This was followed by regularity tests and time checks as well as a visit to the "Top of Coom", Ireland's highest pub, and further gravel stages. On arrival at Sheen Falls Lodge, the participants were welcomed to dinner by none other than Billy and Carmel Coleman.
The twisty, gravel-heavy stages of the second day favored the agile Frazer Nashes over the larger Bentleys. As a result, the Goodwins dropped back to fifth place in the overall standings, while the Frazer Nash teams of Theo Hunt and his father Martin Hunt took first and second place. The 1937 Aston Martin Speed of Simon Arscott and Emily Anderson finished in third place.
Family happiness and coastal challenges
The glorious weather continued on day three and participants were rewarded with stunning views of the Bantry Bay coastline. In contrast, technical sections on the Cork Autograss Track and a twisty route through the rhododendrons of Hollybrook House were a real challenge for drivers and co-drivers.
While Theo Hunt maintained his lead in the overall standings, father Martin and navigator Bob Mannix dropped out of the top five. In his place, Shane Houlihan and Richard Pain took second place in their Frazer Nash BMW, while the Aston Martin of Arscott and Anderson remained in third place.
Events come to a head on the last day
The fourth and final day was the crowning finale with four more regularities and three stages through the southwest of Ireland.
The participants drove along the Wild Atlantic Way, through the Caha Mountains and over the Sheep's Head Peninsula. An arduous climb to the summit of Healy Pass was both a literal and metaphorical highlight.
Despite the mounting pressure, Hunt and Galliver stood firm and secured the win. However, there were significant changes in the overall standings: Houlihan and Pain dropped to fifth after mechanical problems and were overtaken by Arscott and Anderson in second, the 1929 Chrysler Roadster of David and Jo Roberts in third and the 1939 Frazer Nash BMW 328 of Gavin and Diana Henderson in fourth.
Hunt on the driving experience: "The Frazer Nash TT Replica with its 1500cc Meadows engine is a kind of David in the Goliath field. It's not the most powerful, but it goes around the corners like you wouldn't believe, so we were able to keep up with the stronger competition on the slippery stages."
Special awards and preview of further events
In addition to the trophies for the classes and the overall standings, David Brabazon and Celia Drane were presented with the Spirit of the Rally Award for their team spirit.
The 2025 rally season continues with the Carrera Andalucía, which offers drives through Spain's historic southern landscapes from June 22 to July 3. This is followed by the Suffolk Cloverleaf from August 5 to 8 and concludes with the extraordinary Islands of Japan Marathon, which promises a unique journey through the country from September 18 to October 16.
Further information on all Rally the Globe events, including details of eligible vehicles, can be found on the club's website.
