After the customery pre-rally lunch in Mercedes Benz in MDL, the participants in this year's Gordon Bennet Rally were seen safely off this afternoon by Mercedes-Benz Ireland's Chief Executive Stephen Byrne.
The world famous rally is organised by The Irish Veteran & Vintage Car Club and this year drew some 138 entries with veteran and vintage cars coming from Australia, the UK including Northern Ireland, as well as a large number of 'home' ones.
This is the 32nd year for Mercedes-Benz to be principal sponsors of the event.
Stephen Byrne warmly welcomed everyone, especially those who had travelled from overseas with their treasured cars. It gave him great pleasure to help promote the memory of the famous 1903 race and the success it ultimately brought to Mercedes-Benz. He congratulated Robin McCullough on his second term of office as President of the Irish Veteran & Vintage Car Club and wished everyone an enjoyable and safe weekend.
Robin McCullough made a presentation to Stephen and to MDL director Nigel O'Flaherty to mark the occasion and Welsh driver Johnny Thomas paid tribute to Mercedes-Benz for hosting the pre-rally reception each year.
The rally takes place over this weekend, and is based at The Standhouse Hotel on The Curragh, taking in routes in Laois, Carlow and Kildare.
Other sponsors include Bailey Waste Recycling Ltd and Coopers Limited.
Trish Whelan.
