Kalle Rovanperra in Kellihers
Toyota has presented the public the power of choice and an incentive to make the move towards sustainability in 2025. Wednesday 27th of December saw the number one Toyota dealership in Kerry alive with rally fans and honoured petrol heads. Toyota and Kerry go hand in hand with the love of rallying embedded in the DNA of those who live here. Toyota has won the WRC manufacturers title for the fourth year and it's no surprise with the reliability Toyota has built its reputation on. The Toyota Celica has often been seen at the Rally of the lakes or the Killarney Historics Rally. Speaking of the Historics Rally, a very special guest arrived in Kelliher’s showroom before a weekend in Killarney.
Welcomed by managing director, Tim Kelliher with a ‘céad míle fáilte’, two time WRC Champion Kalle Rovanperra arrived straight from Los Vegas and was brought to Kerry in style in the GR Yaris. Former professional co-driver Paul Nagle, FIA sporting delegate,who was instrumental in organising this event, chauffeured Rovanpera to Tralee to check out the car he would pilot this weekend. BMV Rally team, sponsored by Kellihers, had prepared the 82 Toyota Starlet as a loaner for Kalle and co-driver Jonne Halttunen for their shot at Moll’s gap.
BMV Rally team Starlet ready for Kalle and Jonne - Credit @shift_am
Young rally fans and the future drivers and co-drivers of Irish rallying lined up to greet the finish champion who happily obliged and signed programmes and hats. Of course it wasn’t just the kids that wanted a picture with the double champ. With the Starlet as the backdrop, Kalle took many photos with the welcoming rally fans and happily answered questions. Kalle was presented with a Kerry jersey from the Kelliher family as a memory of his time here. I guess we can claim him as one of our own now as an honorary Kerry man. Let’s hope it brings him luck at the Historics rally as Kerry is synonymous with producing high quality and talented drivers. One notable driver in the showroom for the event was Aoife Rafferty, one in fifteen female drivers selected for the WRC Beyond Rally Women’s Driver development initiative.
MD Time Kelliher presenting Rovanperra with a Kerry jersey - credit @Shift_am
With this being a strictly historic car rally, the calibre of driving is going to be phenomenal. Tackling 8 stages and nearly 95 stage kilometres, the 100+ entries will battle it out in various classes to see who is the top team, navigating the beautiful but trying surroundings.. With the weekend that’s in it, the 28th Historics rally is sure to be an event to remember. We can’t wait to see how our local lads do against the two time champion team and wish the very best of luck to Kalle Rovanperra and Jonne Halttunen in the 2024 event. Hopefully not for the last time, as it's a national hope that the WRC will be coming to Ireland in the near future and pave the way for a new wave of Irish driving talent.
For all your Toyota needs, check out https://www.kellihers.ie/ or call into the showroom where the incredible team will be happy to assist you - Kellihers, Rathass, Tralee, Kerry, V92 YWA0. @kellihersgaragetralee.
Check out our spotlight interview with managing director, Tim Kelliher below and get a peak at his ‘75 Celica!
