There are some truly iconic rally cars in the world, known for their design or the way they are driven. But in some cases, like this one, it’s both -the Baby Blue Ford Escort MK2 driven by the family crew of Frank and Lauren Kelly is a spectacle particularly revered by fans across Europe and beyond. Once you’ve seen Frank drive the Ford Escort MK2 with Samsonas Universal RWD Sequential, you can’t forget it. It’s the same when Franks gets out of the car – he’s a wonderful personality and you can always exchange a few words with him.
And here they are – a few words with Frank Kelly
Why are you doing a rally? What is the purpose of it?
I was brought up around cars and had always wanted to make them go faster. Rally was the legal way to do that.
I rally purely for fun. I get so much joy from building and developing a car and the thrill of going fast.
When did the collaboration with Samsonas Motorsport begin?
It began through Mick at Euro MSport. He has a knack of finding great companies to work with and asked me to run the first Samsonas sequential that came to Ireland.
It was love at first gear change ❤️
If you look at your statistics – there is no other brand than Ford. Why is that?
That is coincidental. I’ve no allegiance to Ford in particular it just happened that way.
Ford Escort MK2 with the license plate URB 396S (and a related V07-15) – 235 starts. How has the car evolved over the years? Is it the same chassis?
I’ve had this car since 2008. It is the same shell but with many replacement panels and chassis members since then. It had a 2ltr Duratec engine in the beginning. Next was a 2ltr Vauxhall. Then a 5-cylinder 2ltr Fiat/Alfa. Then a 2.5 Vauxhall and now a 2.5 Millington.
I’ve run the Samsonas 6-speed RWD since 2015 and it’s been a real game changer.
You have traveled the world a lot with rallying – can you tell a few stories from New Zealand, Barbados, or Trinidad?
We have been very lucky to get invited to all parts of the world. The welcome we receive is unbelievable.
Trinidad was our first big adventure and it stands out for the enthusiasm the crowds show there.
The stages in NZ are fantastic and similar in many ways to Lithuania.
Rally Legends in San Marino is a crazy place where anything goes. We have great fun there.
The Escort Rally Special in Belgium is close to my heart and again the people are great and we’ve managed to win it outright twice.
What are your memories of the Samsonas Rally Rokiškis 2017?
We loved every minute of our adventure in Lithuania.
My car was in tarmac trim but it worked well there and the stages were a joy to drive. Many big slides and drifts with so much space to let the car move around. Not the fastest way but certainly the most fun. We have tried to get back there ever since but it just hasn’t worked out yet.
There are different opinions about riding with family members. What is it like for you to ride with your Daughter?
It is the most Joyous feeling having Lauren in the car. She knows me so well and knows my mental limitations and how my notes must work.
We almost have a telepathy between us without words.
The emotions at the end of a good rally are incredible and could not be replaced.
My wife, Rosemarie is always there in service to look after us so it’s a real family affair.
There’s a saying that there must be a Ford Escort in every British/Irish petrolhead’s garage. Why does this car have such a great tradition here?
In the beginning it was because they were so easy to find, work on and make go fast. Easy to drive also. They became so popular a complete industry has grown up around them so all parts are readily available.
You can buy a reproduction shell.
You can fit virtually and engine (2.5 is the max allowed)
Go to any rally in Ireland and the crowd are there to see the Escorts. Now the young drivers want that respect and look for an escort.
Your rallying career is very extensive, but maybe there are still things you would like to do or achieve?
I have been so lucky over the years to get to do this as a hobby.
I’ve had many championships on both surfaces and rally victories against strong teams.
I count myself so fortunate to have had any success at all so I’d be greedy to ask for more.
More than ever now it is all about having fun and creating memories.
I’d like to do more overseas events in the coming years.
I’d love to rally in USA and who knows, maybe get back to Lithuania.
