The 1981 Galway Rally was the opening Round as always of the Irish Tarmac Championship and the tough Galway Roads brought together a very Strong Entry which included 1980 winner Jimmy McRae out for the first time on Tarmac with his Opel Ascona 400, McRae had tough opposition from the likes of Ger Buckley in his lovely EPS Vauxhall Chevette HSR who was on form and amongst the favourites,also there was Dessie McCartney in his Vauxhall,Bertie Fisher in a Ford Escort RS 1800 and a late Entry from Billy Coleman in the famous Chequered Flag Lancia Stratos amongst many other talented drivers in the Top 20,in the end Buckleys form came through and he took victory by over 1 min from McRae who had some brake issues that slowed him somewhat,Fisher finished 3rd followed home by John Coyne in his Sunbeam Lotus in 4th spot with Dessie Mccartney slotting into 5th place at the end of a tough Event,Billy Coleman never really featured strongly in the Stratos and didn`t make the finish in the end,RTE were there with there Crew to capture the action and we wish to thank Pat Sullivan Carrignavar once more for the use of this Footage,Enjoy.