The Annual Birr & District Motor Club's Christmas Autotest took place on New Years Eve in the excellent venue at Garahys Garage, Fortal, Birr. 47 Drivers took part in this most enjoyable event with 1st time Clerk of the Course Leo Brophy at the helm.
On arrival Drivers had an opportunity to walk the 3 Tests and then enjoy the wonderful Home Made Scones provided by Eithne Garahy, this was only the start of the Culinary Trail that was on offer.
Within Minutes of the start, Top Dublin Autotester Frank Lenehan suffered a broken driveshaft and duly followed by Paddy Fay who suffered from the same problem in the Tiny Motorsport Projectile. This was Paddy's 1st Autotest since 1961. All was not over as both cars were speedily & professionally repaired by Ian McLoughlin, Ger Connolly & Oliver Stanley with special thanks to fellow drivers Rob Lewis & Cian Robinson who provided the spare driveshafts. Hannah Garahy had Brake Problems with her Starlet and duly went double driving in dad Kieran's Starlet as it had brakes!!! The majority of the cars competing on the event were mainly Toyota Starlets but Gordon Percy from Nenagh arrived in a Mazda 323f and put on a great display of driving and received the entertainers award along with Ian Lucas from Moystown.
After 6 Tests a fabulous lunch was provided in Garahy's Garage comprising of Beef Stew followed by the most delicious Chocolate Cake which was really appreciated by all the Drivers & Event Officials. Most of us left Garahys with bigger waistlines!!!
9 Tests were completed with Richard Meeke emerging the popular winner on a winning margin of 14 Seconds from 2nd Placed Driver Niall Murray who was only a mere 0.26 Second clear of 3rd placed Frank Lenehan. Niall Murrays brother Eoin was only 1 Second behind Frank Lenehan, a tight finish indeed.
Class 1 was dominated by Birr Motor Club Members with Mark Shanahan (Borrisoleigh) winning the class in a Nissan Micra, runner up was Patrick O'Leary (Cork) and 3rd in Class 1 went to Darren Delaney (Camross). Patrick & Darren were both driving Toyota Starlets.
In Class 2 it was Eoin Murray who emerged victorious from John McAssey with David Meeke coming in 3rd in Class. The award winners in Class 3 were 1st in Class Mark Doran, 2nd went to Mark Guerin and 3rd went to Cathal O'Carroll.
1st Birr & District Motor Club Driver went to Rob Lewis (Dunkerrin), 2nd David Forde (Nenagh) & 3rd went to Whitby Moynan (Nenagh). In the Ladies Class, Zara Moynan (Nenagh) came out on top, with Pauline Forde (Nenagh) finishing up Runner Up despite trying to break the Husbands David's Car with 3rd Lady Driver going to Hannah Garahy (Birr) after a brilliant drive despite the Brake Problems.
Other club drivers who competed included Lee Deane (Shinrone), Ronan Shanahan (Roscrea), Kieran Garahy (Birr), Declan Donohoe (Mount Temple), Damien O'Meara (Toomevara), Ciaran Dwyer (Arigna), TJ O'Brien (Nenagh), Mick Boland (Birr), Peter Molloy (Ballinahown), Ger Connolly (Birr), Bill O'Brien (Coolbawn), Cian Robinson (Tynagh), Joe Buckley (Borrisoleigh), Clive Moynan (Nenagh) who all thoroughly enjoyed the days sport.
The Birr & District Motor Club would like to thank Kieran & Eithne Garahy for the wonderful venue & food, MI Steward John Fogarty, Clerk of the Course Leo Brophy, Results Team Mark Parsons & Una O'Brien, The Carrot Peeler & all the Marshalls who made the event a real success.
AGM & Club Championship Prizegiving: Takes place on Monday 9th January in the Racket Hall Country Hotel, Roscrea at 8pm. All are welcome. Congratulations to well known Birr Postman Pat Corcoran on becoming the 2016 Birr & District Motor Club Champion.
Further details from www.birrmotorclub.com
In Car
Posted: January 1, 2017 5:57 PM
Video Clips
Posted: January 1, 2017 12:48 PM
Results
Posted: January 1, 2017 12:46 PM
1 Richard Meeke (Starlet) 403.0s,
2 Niall Murray (Starlet) 417.3s,
3 Frank Lenehan (Starlet) 417.5s,
4 Eoin Murray (Starlet) 418.5s,
5 Mark Doran (Mazda MX5) 430.1s,
6 John McAssey (Starlet) 432.0s,
7 David Meeke (Starlet) 439.7s,
8 Rob Lewis (Starlet) 449.5s,
9 Davy Forde (Starlet) 463.6s,
10 Stefan Walsh (Starlet) 467.7s.
Class winners: Mark Shanahan (Micra) 505.8s, Niall Murray, Mark Doran, Rob
Lewis, Zara Moynan (Starlet) 590.4s.
Also Drivers are asked to bring along completed Entry Form (If not already done so).
It would also be a great help if drivers can bring along the Exact Entry Fee - Eur 40 & if you are utilising a 1 Event Licence all in cost Eur 65.
Entries Received 27/12/16
Posted: December 21, 2016 7:27 AM
Patrick O'Leary
Mick Boland
Brian Duggan
Piers Mac Fheorais
Eoin Longworth
Sean Henehan
John McAssey
Gerry Joyce
Mark Shanahan
TJ O'Brien
Ciaran Garahy
Kieran Garahy
Whitby Moynan
Clive Moynan
Zara Moynan
Robert Gloster
Ronan Shanahan
Declan Walsh
David Keane
Cian Robinson
Robert Lewis
Joseph Buckley
Ciaran Bergin
Colin Sheridan
Darren Delaney
Mark Handcock
Lar Hogan
Mark Reilly
Pascal Dunne
Shane Dunne
David Meeke
Richard Meeke
David Forde
Patricia Denning
Lee Deane
Stefan Walsh
Conal O'Neill
Jason Bracken
Ger Connolly
Pauline Forde
Cathal O'Carroll
Ian O'Brien
Pat Fay
Ciaran Dwyer
Eoin Murray
Niall Murray
David Donoghue
Andrew Donoghue
Entries still available.
Regulations / Entry Form
Posted: December 16, 2016 3:39 AM
Birr Fun Autotest 31st December 2016
The Birr & District Motor Club Christmas Autotest is taking place on Saturday 31st December in Garahy's Garage, Fortal, Birr, Co Offaly. Sign In is from 9.30am with Start @10.30am.
Birr New Years Eve Fun Autotest 31/12/16
Venue: Garahy's Truck Centre, Fortal, Birr, Co Offaly. (53.080465, -7.855195)
Clerk of the Course: Leo Brophy
Entry Fee Eur 40 inc CPA.
Simple Tests suitable for Road Cars.
Sign On from 9.30am & Start at 10.30am.
Prizegiving on Site with some festive awards.
Hot Drinks & Food available all day.
1 Event Licenes will be available but must be pre-booked in advance.
Regulations & Entry Forms will be available soon
Further info from 086 8179297 / +353 86 8179297
Preliminary Details / Club Website
Posted: November 9, 2016 7:27 AM
The tests will be simple & straight forward with a little bit of reversing thrown in for good measure. The Surface will be mixed with Gravel & Concrete with the the odd shed used.
Tests will be suitable for Road, Endurance & MVAT Cars. The venue is not suitable for Cars with Ultra Low Suspension.
One Event licences are available for this event and must be prebooked in advance.
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