Last weeks article about the Beetle in motorsport certainly generated some interest. There is no doubt that there is a lot of love for the Beetle in all its forms today.
My Beetle memory was being driven around in a very lumpy sounding Beetle owned by a friend of my older brother. I didn’t realise the significance at the time (being a child) but it transpires that it had a Porsche engine in it.
Peter Scott, a friend of Classic Yorkshire, got in touch to share some information he had about the Beetle in motorsport. For those who don’t know Peter is an Irish born professional rally navigator and driver who still competes today and consults on motorsport matters.
Peter competed in his first car rally in 1965 and since then he has been a competitor in nearly one thousand rallies in everything from an early Mini 850 to the exotic Chequered Flag Lancia Stratos, spending 10 years as a professional co-driver.
Thanks Peter and if anyone else would like to share their memories don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Enjoy these pictures and I’m sure if you look, you will find many more examples.
Circuit of Ireland 1964
Pat Dunnion – Donegal International 1975
John Taylor, more normally seen in a works backed Mk 2 Escort, winning the 1979 Boreen Rally in Ritchie Holfeld’s Beetle.
Robert McBurney winning a winter forest rally in Northern Ireland in a Porsche engined Beetle.
Robert McBurney on the Durris stage of the Granite City Rally in 1966
Robert McBurney on Newry Motor Club’s Mourne Forest Rally in 1976.
