Came across some Photos of Millstreet Rally Legend Billy Coleman recently and thought it would be nice to share some of them here.
Billy was Irelands Top Rally Driver back in the 70`s and 80`s and amongst his best achievements was winning The British Rally Championship in 1974, Billy also scored victory on The Circuit of Ireland 3 times in 1975,1976,and 1984 as well as finishing 4th overall in the 1985 World Championship Rally Tour De Corse.
Billy was also Irish Tarmac Champion in 1984 and finished 3rd in The European Rally Championship in 1979 and has won many Irish Rallies over the years including the Cork 20 and Killarney Rally of the Lakes, so lets look back at some memorable Photographic moments throughout his illustrious career.
Tribute to Billy at Coleman’s Garage – photo Tom / TMC Photography
This article really shows what a superstar Billy Coleman was.Is’nt it a wonderful coincidence that today Millstreet Development Group can announce that The Cork 20 Rally will be headquartered in Millstreet for the next two years.When one considers Billy Coleman,Gerard Buckley,Moynihans, Murphys, Falveys,etc and the fantastic rallying stages in the area it can really be said that rallying is coming home.
In motor rallying he drove his way into Worldwide renown
Billy Coleman of Minor Row in Millstreet Town
One of the World’s great rally drivers in his life’s prime
Though this is going back many Seasons in time
For this quietly spoken fellow humble in his ways
In Millstreet Town the bonfires of victory often did blaze
And the pipe band for him up through Main Street did play
The champion rally driver back then an aging legend today
Though praise heaped upon him and nice things of him said
The adulation of his fans never went to his head
Billy the one who competed with success against the World’s best
And was never found to be wanting when put to the test
Billy Coleman in his late sixties remains as one greatly admired
Generations of young Duhallow rally drivers he has inspired
His life journey in Millstreet Town began in Minor Row
Where from a boy into manhood he did grow.
“Billy Coleman Of Minor Row” is by Francis Duggan
http://francisrhymer.blogspot.ie/2014/07/billy-coleman-of-minor-row.html
Great times at the rallys watching the worlds top drivers andco drivers on our door step none better than billy I also think there is a good poet around as well .well done m.hanley
What a pity he wen’t in to semi Retirement from 1981 to 1984..he Could have played such a part in the GM Year’s of the Chevette & Ascona era..and added to his tally of international wins..he would have being ideal for Audi to Develop the Quattro for irish tarmac..any way his Come back was brilliant..between December 1983 & October 1986 he took 10 international win’s including his 3rd Circuit of ireland…plus a top 4 finish on the French round of the World Championship in Corsica.