Once again Ted’s Opel- Vauxhall Run 2012 has brought cars and people from all corners of the country together for a weekend of Driving, fun, a few surprises and a few minor break downs, but most of all a most enjoyable event.
A total of fifty eight cars came together for the event which also attracted magazines such as Total Vauxhall, from the UK and Irish magazines, the Irish Vintage Scene and Retro Classics.
This event is one of the largest Opel/Vauxhall gatherings in the whole of Ireland and was the brainwave of Ted O’Connell from Macroom in 2008. There were plenty events for other car marques but not the Opel scene so he set about organising a run specifically for them. For the first three years Ted organised the Run on his own and ran it on the day with the assistance of the other enthusiasts. The number of cars grew so quickly that in 2011 a committee was formed of local Opel/Vauxhall enthusiasts to run the event. 2011 was the largest event to date with eighty four cars in attendance. This year the number was down mainly due to recessionary times. To mark the fifth year of the Run and Ted’s dedication to both the Run and the Opel-Vauxhall scene a presentation was made to him of a wooden Opel Blitz plaque.
Also on the day of the Run there were two other surprise presentations, one to committee member Donal O’Hanlon and his wife Martina to mark their twentyth wedding anniversery and another to Mary and Dan Murphy to mark their thirtieth wedding anniversery.
The four Special Awards were selected by independant judges and the First Special Award was selected and presented by the Owners of the Eccles Hotel, Glengarriff to John Keating of Midleton for his Opel Manta A.
The second was selected and presented by Tom Nyhan representing Kevin O’Leary Group to Denis Murphy of Macroom for his Opel Kadett City.
The third was selected and presented by Mary Daly (singer) Kilcrohane to Christy Buckley of Blackstone Bridge, Cork for his Opel Kadett Coupe.
The final Special Award was selected and presented by a newly wed couple who were having their Wedding reception at the Eccles Hotel, Glengarriff to Dan Joe Mullane of Donaghmore for his Vauxhall Victor.
The Perpetutual Sheild was presented to Michael and Brian Duggan of the Healy Pass, Kenmare.
There was a Special Prize which was donated by the Group Motors Rallying from Belfast who were in attendance with two cars, the prize was a Hat from the Eifel Rally 2011 signed by World Rally Champion Walter Rohrl. This prize was in honour of one of the GMR Team, Jackie Small who tragecily passed away recently. Team manager Gerry Faloona presented the Hat to Denis Cremin Snr from Fermoy, for his involvement in Motorsport, his love for the cars and his encouragment of the younger generation into the sport. RIP Jackie.
A few minor break downs troubled a few cars briefly but nothing too serious that wasn't able to be repaired quickly.
The weather held out for most of the day as we toured the Healy Pass, Lauragh, Bonane, the Tunnels, Glengarriff, Bantry, Durras, Ahakista, Kilcrohane, Goats Path Bantry ang returning to the Eccles Hotel. After freshening up the group once again congregated in the Hotel reminnessing about the day and chatting about cars and even a few songs were sung, so all in all a very successful event was had by all.
All ready plans are in progress for Ted’s Opel Vauxhall Run 2013, which will be taking place on Saturday August 10th 2013 and will be based in the Quaility Hotel, Killarney.
Nearly there
Posted: August 8, 2012 5:03 PM
With less than a week to go to the 5th Annual “Ted’s Opel-Vauxhall Run” excitement is building up. Saturday the 11th Aug is shaping up to be a great day out for car enthusiasts and hopefully it will be as big an event as last year. The 2011 Run was the largest Opel-Vauxhall event in the whole of Ireland with a total of 84 cars attending. Accomaditation is heavely booked in the Eccles Hotel and entries are still filling in nicely. To date we have confirmation of cars coming from all ends of the country, both North and South.
UK magazine “Total Vauxhall” (who gave us a seven page feature on last years event) are sending a Photographer to the Run again this year so alot of the drivers are hoping to get their cars featured in the magazine. We will also have a Reporter/Photographer from the “Irish Vintage Scene”/” Retro Classics” magazine.
From the reports we are geting the weather is also set to improve for the weekend so fingers crossed on that one. There will be some spectular scenery to be observed in both mountains and seascapes and there would be no better place to be based than the Eccles Hotel in Glengarriff on a summers day.
Registeration will take place at the Eccles Hotel from 9 – 10 am and we will depart from the Hotel at 10.15am sharp.
We are looking forward mostly to everyone having an enjoyable and safe day and again wish to thank our main Sponsors, Kevin O’Leary Group (Opel) and Cartell.ie.
We would be greatful for any media coverage you could give our event.
Launch - (Sun) 22 Jul
Posted: July 17, 2012 11:55 AM
Launch of "Ted's Opel - Vauxhall Run 2012" will be held on Sunday 22nd July @ 3pm at the Eccles Hotel, Glengarriff.
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