Double British Rally champion Russell Brookes passed away at the end of October and he will be mourned by many Irish rally fans.

Famous for driving his 'Andrews Heat for Hire' liveried cars in the mid seventies and the eighties, the diminutive dynamo passed away at the age of 74.

Brooks, who regularly competed in Ireland won his first British Championship in 1976 in a Ford Escort RS1800 and his second in 1985 in a works Opel Manta 400. His victories included the Circuit of Ireland, the Manx International, Ulster, Welsh and Scottish rallies.

Brookes drove a host of car including Minis, Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, Lancia Delta Integrales, Porsche 911s, Vauxhall Chevettes, Ford Sierras and Opel Kadetts but, he is most famous for driving his Escorts and Mantas in a career which spanned three decades as he retired from regular competition at the end of 1991.