WITH the 2017 Legend of the Lakes Hill Climb fast approaching, one big name to grace the course this year is Irishman Frank Kelly.
Kelly has a decorated career, with victories over several years on both tarmac and gravel.
His antics have been well documented on You Tube, as he pushes his Ford Escort “Baby Blue” through its paces.
Big jumps and sideways action are features of his driving, which all equates to an exciting showing at the Valley Lakes course.
Kelly has recently competed “down under”, both in Australia and New Zealand, with the Lakes hill climb next on his agenda.
“Our adventures in the Southern Hemisphere this year have been nothing short of epic,” Kelly told The Border Watch.
“Rally Otago in NZ kicked it all off for us and it was a revelation to let loose on the fast flowing public roads.
“I count myself a gravel man who does a little tarmac rallying, so I felt at home.”
Kelly said good sponsorship enabled him to also compete in the Rally SA event in the Adelaide Hills – where he claimed the top 2WD honours, the Classic outright win and fifth overall – with his car remaining in Australia for a further assault, including here in the Blue Lake City.
He said Rally SA was a great event to run.
“We had a great battle with Matthew Shelley and Hamish McKindrick and came out with a good result,” he said.
“At that event we committed to come back for the Adelaide Tarmac rally.
“I then met Kevin Raedel (South Eastern Automobile Club) who talked us into doing The Legend of the Lakes Hill Climb as well.
“His enthusiasm was infectious and I found myself agreeing to compete there and then.”
Despite his years of experience, Kelly said he expected the Lakes event to be a real challenge.
“I’ve never done an event such as this before, so it’s very much a voyage into the unknown for me,” he said.
“I’m very much into my pace notes and have a very poor memory for roads, so it will probably take me all weekend to remember which corner is which.
“My style of driving such as it is wont lend itself to neat fast lines, but I’ll do my usual and make it up as I go along.
“On top of that my car is set up for gravel, so my main aim for the weekend will be to have as much fun as possible and probably get far too sideways to be competitive, but fun it will be.”
Kelly said after watching footage of the event he was excited to compete.
“I’ve seen some of the videos and I’m in awe at the machinery and talent on display, so it will be great to see and meet them all in the flesh,” he said.
“The shear diversity of the cars used to compete in Australia is fantastic to see.
“The course itself looks very challenging, but I’m sure it’ll be equally satisfying, especially if I’m in drift mode.
“Above all the reception we have had in NZ and Australia has been unbelievable and to be honest, very humbling.
“The knowledge shown by the motorsport fans is fantastic.”
Kelly said he was expecting a good weekend of racing and while he has “an angry face”, he was happy to catch up with fans on the weekend, but had one parting warning.
“All in all it is shaping up to be a wonderful weekend, where I can catch up with some of the friends I’ve made in my previous visits and I’m sure I will make some new friends as well,” he said.
“Come over and say hello, but stand back when I’m in Baby Blue, because literally anything could happen.”
