The 88 Sunbeam

Debut at Ballymena

1978 - The Sunbeam followed on next. Sticky was pipped at the post by Londoner Ted Allen to being the first Hot Rodder to race a Sunbeam but Allen's had the Ford 1700cc Kent engine tucked in front whilst Sticky was working with an orginal Chrysler powerplant. The car debuted with a black paintjob before finally appearing in white with a single black stipe just under the windows. The car was again prepared by Dan Doherty and had backing from Smiths Engineering Works.

The Sunbeam became quite a successful 'Rod. Ted Allen's car also did quite well and there were other notable examples from Noel Robinson (another Ulster racer), Rod Birley, Andy Hardy and Alan Dent.

Sticky's final Sunbeam sported a new number - 988. With Hot Rod racing now at something of a peak, a national numbering system was adopted. The West Country (Autospeed) drivers were allocated the 700 series, the Scots got the 800's whilst the Irish drivers picked up the 900's. The car also attracted backing from one of the Talbot main dealers who assisted Sticky with spare parts and the like.