Archive for ‘2010’

The 2010 Connaught Competition Engines Irish Hillclimb and Sprint Championship winner, Simon McKinley, was presented with the Frank Keane Trophy by Joe Corcoran (President of Motorsport Ireland). The presentation took place at the Dunlop Champions or Irish Motorsport Awards Lunch 2010 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, Dublin on Tuesday, December 7th.

Now that the season is all but finished and the championship awards received its time to look forward to another season of Hillclimbs and Sprints in 2011.

What will 2011 bring for Irish motorsport?
In the midst of the current economic recession things like Motorsport seem to be hit very hard. All is not lost for Hillclimbers and Sprinters though, as our discipline of motorsport is weathering this storm well when all things are considered. There is a need to increase our entry numbers, so if you know of a car/driver sitting in a shed looking for an inexpensive day out, encourage them to go Hillclimbing!
This year saw nearly 20 first-time competitors register for the national championship which is a very encouraging sign. In 2011 we may have a few more new people register for the championship as we all work to improve our sport.

The rally car classes, while not having a large entry this year,  gives a fair outlet for any rally competitor who can participate in a few events. The fact that they must run on rally tyres also gives them a fair chance against their fellow competitors in the class, and saves the expense of a set of soft Hillclimb slicks.

What about the regular competitors plans for next year? As ever, there are many cars in various  states of fettle in garages all around the country, waiting for the new season to start. Telephones are buzzing and emails are flying all over the country in the search for parts, help and information. The urge to improve and find more power or less weight is a strong one with Hillclimbers, so it will be very interesting to see what comes out of the workshops and garages next Spring when the season starts again.

The Hillclimb awards night 2010 was a great success with plenty of good natured banter and chat before and after the awards ceremony. The Tullamore Court Hotel in Tullamore put on a lovely meal for all one hundred guests and provided a top class experience for all staying overnight.

The awards ceremony included an address by the chairman of the committee Eugene French in which he thank everyone for their hard work during a sometimes difficult season. He also announced the extension of the title sponsorship deal from Connaught Competition Engines for 2011. And Phil Price the owner and manager of Connaught Competition Engines was on hand to say a few words and present the awards ably assisted by Joan Vaughan and Maria Ni Niadh.
The clubs that have been selected for the championship in 2011 were also announced and they are: Wexford, Galway, Carrick On Suir, Carlow, Clare, MEC and Donegal.

The class and Overall awards were presented by Phil Price, and Senan O’Connor from Vantage Point Video did a fantastic job by playing his footage carefully prepared from throughout the year for each and every award recipient.
The inaugural Interprovincial Cup sponsored by Rory Stephen from National First aid supplies was presented by Rory “Grandad” Stephens to the competitors from Connaught. A special commemorative blazer was also presented to Karen Feeney from Connaught to mark the occasion which anyone at the awards will never forget!

The Tom Prendiville cup for Highest placed competitor who did not already receive an award was John Whitley from class 3(a). The Dick Bailey award for the best run Hillclimb weekend as judged by the Competitors and Stewards was awarded to Wexford Motor club and collected by Tommy Murphy the Wexford Motor club clerk of the course for 2010.

The over all awards were then presented by Phil Price and Simon McKinley was officially crowned champion in 2010. Though unfortunately he declined to comment himself, Phil Price spoke warmly on his behalf about the new champion.
All in all a great night was had by all and after some music and dancing (or what may loosely be termed dancing!) the festivities went on into the wee small hours. A great end to the national championship year and time to look forward now to an even better 2011.

A full gallery of photos has been provided by Billy @ caoradubha.com

The Connaught Competition Engines Hillclimb and Sprint awards dinner will take place this Saturday 16th October. The venue for this event is the Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore, Co Offaly.
The latest news is that just under a hundred tickets have been booked to date. There are still a couple of tickets available but pre-booking is essential so contact Paul (087 2055095) if you have not already booked your ticket and would wish to come along.

The Connaught Competition Engines Hillclimb and Sprint Championship awards dinner will be held on Sat October 16th. The venue is the centrally located 4 star Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore Co Offaly.

This important night marks the end of the 2010 National championship and there are many awards to be presented on the night. The class awards, the overall awards, the Dick Bailey award for best run Hillclimb, the Tom Prendiville award for best competitor on Handicap and the inaugural Interprovincial cup.

Phil Price the championship sponsor has agreed to come over from England especially for this ceremony and with Irish Hillclimbing being well known for its social side we anticipate a great nights fun for all involved and all are welcome to attend. A limited number of tickets for the event are still available from the secretary Paul O’Connell at 35 euro each.

Contact Paul on 087 2055095 to book your tickets.

Looking forward to seeing you there!!

Senan from Vantage Point Video has just sent us a link to his video report from the Clare Hillclimb weekend at the start of the 2010 season.

Irish Hillclimb & Sprint TV by: Vantage Point Video

If you like this footage, DVDs can be bought from Vantage Point Video with full coverage of each event.

Galway Motor Club are pleased to announce details of the forth coming Sprint at Tynagh.
In an effort to encourage early entries and reward competitors Galway Motor Club are offering a fantastic reduction to the winner of the draw which will take place at the Sprint in Tynagh on Sunday 31st October for the forthcoming Safety Direct International Rally 2011.

All Rally Cars entered for the Sprint will be entered into a draw for a €300 discount on the entry fee for the Safety Direct Galway International Rally 2011

For more details contact Kieran on 087 6975175 or cogalwaymc@hotmail.com

For more info go to www.galwaymotorclub.ie

Galway Motorclub October Sprint 2010 Entry Form (84)

John Byrne in his Jedi.

Image provided by Patrick @ Sidewayshot

By Liam Mac Con Iomaire:

Perhaps one of the most exciting chapters of Irish Motorsport History concluded on the summit of Knockalla Hill Co Donegal. Knockalla would see a new champion crowned King of the Hills. And a Valiant champion fight on until the end. It also bore witness to a camaraderie that is the epitome of the Irish Hillclimb Championship.

It was a year that saw event cancellations; it seemed the recession was beginning to catch up on our motorsport. Even the Phoenix Park races were not immune. And a new numbering system was being tested as well.

Caora Dubha looks back on some of the most exhilarating rounds of the year.

Clare Hillclimb, Rounds 1 & 2

Corkscrew Round 1

Round one got underway on the famous Corkscrew Hill, despite undergoing major cosmetic surgery, Corkscrew had lost none of her charm. A spectators Mecca, nothing prepares the senses for the sound of a V8, howling on the start line.

Over the years many an epic battle was played out on Corkscrew hill, Names such as, Richard Young, Carl Cleary and the Kettle brothers. To name a few, have written themselves into the history books of Irish Motorsport.

Simon McKinley fired the first salvos of this exciting championship, by taking the win on this historic hill; defending Champion Paul O’Connell took second place. Followed by Brendan Keane in third.

The Scalp hill Round 2

Scalphill a newer hill to the championship, has quickly established itself as a flat out powerhill, its one of few hills where single seaters get airborne over bumps! This hill is deceptively quick, but there are hidden traps that can snare the unwary driver. Granit walls wait silently to claim unlucky victims.

Again Simon McKinley racked up maximum points, spectators and competitors alike, were astounded at the pace of these two pugilists’ 0.51 was the winning margin. Rory Stephens followed the lads home in third in his fire breathing Radical.

Galway Motor Club Rounds 3 & 4

Rounds 3 & 4 were based in the picturesque village of Ballyvaughan Co Clare, GMC traditionally run Ballyryan on the Saturday, and Ballyallaban Hill on Sunday.

Ballyryan Hill Round 3

Ballyryan is another flat-out-hell-for-leather Hill, and only the truly brave (or foolish) drivers push the limits of this hill. Would Simon make it three for three? Or would Paul strike his first blow in the championship battle. The answer of course is no, Sylvester Mullins in his Gould GR 37 put in a scorcher of a run, only besting Simon McKinley’s time by a mere 0.01. Followed home in third by Paul O’Connell.

Ballyallaban Hill Round 4

On Sunday the action moved to Ballyallaban hill, at 2.2 miles its one of the longest and most demanding hills  used in Ireland.
It’s off camber bends and bumpy straights lie silently in wait for the over eager competitor, the hard granite  walls have claimed many a driver; these walls still bare the scars of drivers who pushed too hard, or pushed their luck  too far. Only to be stopped by the Granite guardians of the Burren.

From early morning spectators gathered at vantage points along the hill, down in the Paddock the drivers carried out last minute servicing to the cars.

There seemed no let up in the pace at the front, both Paul & Simon set the hill ablaze with their pace, and this was only the practice run. Such was the speed, spectators stepped back in awe, as each car was a mere blur.

Truly the normal laws of the Universe do not seem to apply to these lads, Sylvester Mullins had to contend with mechanical  gremlins. And would get only one proper run at the hill.

On his third run Simon McKinley  broke the hill record, He seems to be able to bend the laws of space and time at will. His time of 95.02 astonished those who witnessed his run .A  flabbergasted  Paul O’Connell pulled into the car park on the way down to check the times. Simon had beaten him by a awe inspiring 0.01, a blink of the eye.

Wexford Rounds 5 &6

Round 5

Simon continued on where he left off as he proved almost unstoppable, Paul was only Just 0.58 behind Simon on Day one. Followed home by Seamus Morris.

Round 6

Round 6 went to Paul O’Connell, his first win of the year, second went to David James. And third to Seamus Morris. The race for the title was under way. But trouble loomed in the championship, as event  cancellations prompted the committee to bring forward the annual forum. In hopes of finding a solution.

Portlaois Pow-Wow

The Hillclimb Forum met to seek possible solutions to the crises, cancellations by Tipperary & Limerick, threw the championship into doubt. The committee tried to secure other events in their place, Tynagh was looked at as a possible event, but proved too costly to run. Efforts to get into Phoenix Park also proved fruitless, the event like others cancelled due to economic reasons.

Eventually, a solution of sorts was found, and the championship moved onwards towards MEC

M.E.C Rounds 11 &12

Held just outside the fair city of Dublin, and after a extended rest, battle was renewed between the two main rivals. Only the smallest of margins separated Simon McKinley & Paul O’Connell. Simon continued his winning ways, with Paul in second, and Seamus Morris in third.

Round twelve also finished the same way, Simon was now in a commanding position, but Paul O’Connell could still catch up on the remaining final rounds in Donegal. The race to the finish had started.

Donegal Rounds 13 & 14

The man who would be King.

Arguably, one of the most spectacular seasons of the Irish Hillclimb championship climaxed in Knockalla Donegal this weekend.  And in the process Simon McKinley wrote himself into the pages of Irish Motorsport history.

Simon took victory both days, and smashed another Hill record in the process; in a driving style reminiscent of the great Alain Prost, Simon, like the Professor (Prost), has the uncanny ability to produce the most spectacular runs out of the blue. And in doing so frustrate his rivals.

The battle between Simon and Paul O’Connell was reminiscent of the great Prost, Senna battles in F1 many years ago.

Victory on Saturday and a new hill record went to Simon, with Paul second and Frank Byrnes third.

On Sunday Simon continued as he left off, setting a blistering pace, Paul suffered a high speed off; though shook, Paul was ok.  On hearing Paul’s misfortune, Simon offered his car to Paul, he decided to continue in his old car.

Strapped into the Delta Paul made one last valiant effort, only to suffer gearbox problems, and so handed the championship to Simon.

Right from the word go this year, it was obvious that Simon was almost unstoppable, even the champion Paul O’Connell must have wondered how Simon could pull these times out almost at will.

Simon put in some amazing times this year, his cat like reflexes seem to defy the laws of physics. It would seem that, E=mc2 does not apply to him.

So then, a worthy Champion, we pay homage to our new King of the Hills Simon McKinley. And say thank you to Simon; Indeed to all the drivers, for the most memorable championship in many years.

Credit: Article and images by Liam Mac Con Iomaire. Liam is a motorsport fanatic who travels the length and breadth of the country following Motorsport. Be sure to check out Liam’s site : caoradubha.com where you will find photos from most of this years championship rounds. Prints are available for purchase on Liam’s site.