THE 2024 IVVCC
Statham Rally for Pre-1939 Cars

Took place on
Sunday 8th September

On Sunday 8th September, 26 cars, dating from 1915 to 1939, arrived at The Pembroke Hotel in Kilkenny for the annual IVVCC Statham Rally. The weather was kind to us on the day.

The Pembroke Hotel has had a long connection with the Motor trade. It was the site of the Statham Ford Garage for many years. The Statham family also had a Ford Racing Special which was quite a successful racing car in the 1930’s. Its greatest success was in 1935 when it was placed seventh in the Limerick Grand Prix. It has been restored and was entered for this event by John Ryan.

After the Drivers briefing in the carpark, ably conducted by the IVVCC President, Declan Grogan, all cars departed for the run, except for the Club car, the Pegum Ford Model A due to be driven by Janet Taylor. Despite President Declan’s best efforts to start it, it had decided to have a day off!  It was not to be a Ford day, as two other Model A’s and a Model T failed to proceed the course!

A route of approx. 100 km north of Kilkenny, taking in Conahy, Ballinakill, Timahoe, Coan and back to the Pembroke. There were four regularity sections on the day. Two in the morning and two after the coffee halt in Timahoe community centre. Both sections were timed. All cars were asked to attempt the regularity section as there was a prizegiving later in the day at the lunch in the Pembroke Hotel. The rally, under COC Declan had to be out of the Pembroke by 10am, and not return until 4 pm as the streets were closed due to the Rás na mBan, Ireland’s premier ladies cycle stage race, which ran a stage to the finish in the city.

The winners on the day were Shane & Zuzanna Houlihan in a Vauxhall 13/98 and Thomas Houlihan & Edel Murphy came second, keeping it in the family!

Thank you to everyone who, planned, worked on and supported this event.

VIEW 2023 STATHAM RALLY