Since 1977 Saint Patrick’s Weekend and Clonakilty have been synonymous with the West Cork Rally. The event always proves popular with UK entrants and its 20th anniversary running in 1997 proved no exception, with over 50 crews making the journey across the Irish Sea. Former winners of the event John Price and Bob Fowden were the top seeds with local driver Frank O’Mahony out to try and claim a home win. As Price and O’Mahony faltered, Fowden pulled clear to claim a second West Cork Rally win.