Veteran international rally driver Frank Kelly will compete in the EROAD Australian Rally Championship in 2025 after confirming his intentions to run in May’s Forest Rally in WA.
A highly popular driver throughout the world for his entertaining driving style and effortless talent, Kelly will contest the 2WD Classic Cup at this year’s Forest Rally behind the wheel of his world-renowned Baby Blue Ford Escort alongside daughter Lauren Kelly.
Having completed hundreds of events in a heralded career spanning almost three decades, Frank has travelled to rallies all around the world and has enjoyed plenty of success in that time.
Although it was more than a decade between Frank’s titles – winning both the Ireland National 2WD and Class 14 in 2014 before winning the modified section in the Irish tarmac Championship last year – Frank is no stranger to standing on the top of a podium after a number of class wins over the years.
His overarching experience on both gravel and tarmac, as well as a vast amount of victories make him an instant contender for 2WD Classic Cup honours and an outside chance for the outright podium in May, while there is also the potential for him to compete in the remaining rounds of the ARC.
In what is a major coup for the ARC, Frank is the second significant international driver to enter the champs and comes less than a week after Hayden Paddon’s highly-anticipated announcement locking him in for a maiden season in the ARC.
While Frank’s entry is fantastic signing for the championship, it won’t be the first time he’s run in Australia, as he completed a successful stint in 2017, where he finished sixth overall in the Adelaide Hills Rally and topped the Classic Cup in the Lightforce Rally SA.
Frank’s entry has been made possible by West Australian regular competitor Gary Mills. While Mills may be the driving force behind making this happen, it would not be possible without the support of many local businesses and competitors, with Alcorn Motorsport stepping up to run the car at the event.
“When we competed on the Lightforce rally 2017 with support from KRS racking we never dreamt we could return to the land of wonder,” Frank said.
“Fast forward to January this year and a random message from Gary Mills. An enthusiastic conversation about the Forest Rally quickly gathered momentum and here we are packing a Mk2 into a container.
“We can’t wait to hit the stages around Busselton and Nannup and tear up some gravel”.
Forest Rally Event Director Ross Tapper echoed the sentiments of Frank and was excited to welcome him to the fold.
“After receiving the recent news that one of best drivers in Australasia in Hayden Paddon will contest the 2025 season, we are thrilled to know one of the leading Mk2 Escort drivers around the world will be entering the Forest Rally,” Tapper said.
“To have Frank and Lauren Kelly heading down to Busselton and Nannup will undoubtedly add to the excitement for the event and take it to another level.
“All keen rally fans having been watching their exploits on Youtube, and now we will be able to watch them live in Nannup. Because of this entertainer, we can expect a larger than normal spectator crowd during the event.
“We encourage our officials to start planning now to be at the Forest Rally to ensure we can deliver a first-class event for our international competitors.”
The Forest Rally takes place in and around Nannup and Busselton on 23-25 May.
