Antony Warmbold, who like his father is an accomplished rally driver, will pilot the actual car that his dad Achim used to win the Donegal International Rally in 1975, during Dèjà Vu Donegal on 30-31 August.
This rare 2002Ti model is being brought back to Donegal by its current owner David Wylie, forty-four years after the German became the first foreigner to win the international.
It is one of only two BMW 2002 rally cars built by BMW Motorsport with a Formula Two engine and the only one that survives – the sister car having been converted to a racing car and scrapped shortly after winning its class in the 1975 Le Mans 24 hour race.
After BMW closed their rally programme, Achim (who won the 1972 TAP Rally Portugal with his regular co-driver Jean Todt, who is now the FIA President), competed in the 1975 season under the KWS banner.
Warmbold and John Davenport won the Sachs Winter Rally in Germany and then came and
conquered Donegal.
But 1975 wasn’t the last time that Warmbold’s car was seen in Ireland as in 1976 Belfast BMW Dealer David Agnew bought the 2002Ti and competed in various Irish rallies over the next two years.
Over one hundred and thirty crews in their historic, classic, and sporting cars are expected to take part in the two-day retro festival which will be based in Ballybofey, Donegal.
L to R – Grace Boyle (Donegal Hospice); Dr. Beatty Crawford (Organiser); James Cullen, Cathal Curley & John Lyons (Donegal Rally winners); Phonsie McIllwee (DMC Founder member) and Alan Tyndall (Organiser).
Following a welcome reception on Friday evening, there will be a 120-mile tour over many of the classic Donegal rally stages on Saturday and a gala dinner that evening where the participants will be able to mingle with many past winners and other rallying personalities.
Grace Boyle the Donegal Hospice Chairperson, said that Dèjà Vu Donegal will be a highlight in their fundraising year and thanked the organisers for making them the designated charity.
