History 1970s

1973 Circuit of Ireland Rally (Northern Ireland, UK)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1973 Circuit of Ireland Rally

Date: April 19–22, 1973

Host Country: Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Surface: Asphalt

Total Distance: ~530 km (competitive)

Total Starters: 78 crews

Total Finishers: 34 crews

The 1973 Circuit of Ireland maintained its place as one of the fastest and most scenic tarmac rallies in Europe. Spanning the Easter weekend, the rally covered tight backroads and rapid climbs across the Northern Irish countryside. Jack Tordoff, known for his tenacity and clean driving style, delivered a standout performance with co-driver Phil Short, claiming a hard-fought win in their powerful Porsche 911 Carrera RS.

Route

Mountain Roads: Twisting, narrow hill climbs and descents demanded maximum grip and clear pace note rhythm.
Coastal High-Speed Sections: Windswept straights along cliffside roads introduced sudden gusts and exposed braking zones.
Farm Lanes and Villages: Ultra-narrow tarmac with abrupt junctions and low-grip agricultural patches.

The event circled the rugged Irish coastline and countryside, with sections passing through Belfast, Derry, and the Mourne Mountains.

Cool spring conditions with occasional mist made early morning stages slick, with later drying weather allowing full performance runs by day two.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Jack Tordoff & Phil Short · Porsche 911 Carrera RS
2nd Place
Billy Coleman & Mick O'Connell · Ford Escort RS1600
3rd Place
Adrian Boyd & Beatty Crawford · BMW 2002 Ti

Tordoff’s calm, consistent pace and the Porsche’s superior road-holding on fast tarmac earned them a memorable victory in one of the UK’s most iconic asphalt rallies.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Blind Corners: High hedge rows and sudden dips demanded impeccable pace notes and trust between driver and co-driver.
  • Surface Changes: From polished tarmac to moss-covered side roads, grip could vanish instantly.
  • Fatigue and Consistency: Multiple days of quick transitions across tight layouts made every second count and tested long-term concentration.

The 1973 Circuit of Ireland was a tarmac classic—its high-speed Irish roads and devoted crowds set the stage for a Porsche-powered triumph by Tordoff and Short in one of their most celebrated victories.

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