Ballyfinnane Hillclimb & Festival of Speed (Tralee) - 16 Jul 23

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE

Posted: July 15, 2023 2:44 PM

Due to the heavy rainfall in the Ballyfinnane area over the last number of days, Kerry Motor Club and the organising committee of the 2023 Brian O’Neill Garden Equipment and Trailers Ballyfinnane Festival of Speed have had to update the recently published Traffic Management Plan to accommodate for the poor weather.

Car park A
Parking on the road way from Hickey’s Nursery to the road closed barrier. Motorcycle marshals and event management jeep will be monitoring the area as this is an emergency evacuation point. Please obey the marshals instructions

Car Park B
The of the paddock and service area on the Fires road. Parking on road way from closed road barriers to Maine Bridge with additional parking in the fisherman’s car park at Maine Bridge

Car Park C
Parking on side of road from church yard towards Castlemaine, left side of the road only. Ballygamboon road will operate as a one way system to bring those who enter the area back onto the Castlemaine/Tralee road

Car Park D
Closed road barrier at original location. Public parking from entry to the monument for public on road side. Additional parking in small housing estate on left just before monument.

Classic Car Show
The Classic Car Show will now take place on the roadway from end of the paddock area as far as the monument on the hill.

Disabled Parking
Access for blue badge holders has now changed from Car Park D to Car Park A. A local resident has kindly offered her driveway as the disabled parking area. Please follow the Eircode – V93HD42. Access from Hickey’s Nursery side only

NOTE TO ALL SPECTATORS

We hope you enjoy the event. Please take note of the following:

- No spectator is to cross the closed road section during runs. A spectator stepping on the roadway is automatically red flagged.
- We ask spectators not to use red umbrellas or wear bright red clothing. These can be mistaken for red flags and upset timed runs

Massive traffic management plan in place for Ballyfinnane Festival of Speed

Posted: July 13, 2023 2:17 PM

This weekend Kerry Motor Club and Ballyfinnane Community Hall Association will celebrate the 120th anniversary of the Ballyfinnane Hillclimb.

On July 15, 1903, the first-ever closed-road motorsport event in Kerry was won by Charles Rolls who later founded the Rolls Royce Motor Car Company.

The joint organisers have put together a motoring and motorsport festival with the mid-Kerry village set to be the hive of activity for two days.

The action starts on Saturday when the Kingdom Veteran, Vintage and Classic Car Club and the Irish Veteran Club host a road run of the period (1900 to 1920s) and modern classics from Castlemaine village to their monument at the top of the original 1903 climb.

This event, while separate from the main action on Sunday, will pass through Ballyfinnane on Saturday morning from approximately 9 am to 2 pm.

The Kerry Motor Club event kicks off at 4 pm on Saturday with the safety inspections of the 50 or so racing and rally cars participating in the speed trial getting underway at Kerry Agricultural Services in the heart of the village.

Drivers and officials sign on will also start at the same time in the Ballyfinnane Community Hall – volunteers from the association will be selling soft drinks and snacks at the hall throughout the weekend.

Later that evening a parade of competing cars, led by a lone piper and under Garda escort, will leave the community hall and proceed to a ceremonial start at the Shanty Bar. This event, organised by locals, will get underway around 9 pm ahead of an evening of entertainment at the Shanty.

Some of the fastest cars ever seen in Kerry, including a Formula 3 racing car, several single-seater racing cars and a host of rally cars have signed up for the event.

“The support of the local people has been unwavering and without them, this event could not happen,” said clerk of the course Sean Moriarty.
“We are looking forward to celebrating a unique weekend of motorsport and motoring culture.”

Classic car and motorcycle show

The Killarney Valley Vintage and Classic Club is hosting a static car show on Sunday. Over 200 cars are expected to go on show on the Farmer’s Bridge side of the village and this show will open to the public at around 10 am on Sunday. There will also be a static display of road racing motorcycles in the heart of the village. Road racer Anthony O’Carroll is racing at the Southern 100 road race in the Isle of Man this week.

Already a winner on two-wheels at hillclimb racing, he will drive his father Neilus’s Ford Escort G3 at the event after making the overnight trip from the Isle of Man. The two Kawasaki bikes he will use in the Isle of Man will go on display just opposite the gable of the Shanty Bar on Sunday.

Access

Access to the event is by buying an official programme.

Programmes have gone on sale locally since last weekend and holders of pre-purchased programmes will be granted access to the four different car parks and access points
Alternatively, programmes can be bought from the car park attendants at each of the four gates.

Traffic Management
On Sunday, roads close at 8 am and an extensive traffic management plan will be in place for the day.

There are four access points.

Car Park A
Traffic approaching from the easter side of Ballyfinnane should leave the N22 Tralee to Killarney Road at the Currans flyover exit.
Car parks will be signposted from this point onwards but the car park has been moved from the original one published in the programme and will now be located much closer to Ballyfinnane village. This eliminates the need for a shuttle bus at this point. No parking is allowed on the road approaching this car park, as this is the dedicated ambulance evacuation route. This road will be monitored by motorcycle marshals and tow trucks will be in operation.

Car Park B
Fans approaching from the Firies side will find a dedicated car park beside the Maine Bridge. A free shuttle bus will run from this car park as the only available parking is some distance from the venue and the approach road will be used as the official pit stop and service park

Car Park C
From the Castlemaine side, patrons will find a car park just to the west of Kiltallagh Church. This is only accessible from the Castlemaine side and the Ballygamboom road will be limited to local and emergency access only.
There is no shuttle bus service from car park C but it is only a short walk to the paddock area and hillclimb start area near Aubee Bridge.

Car park D
Fans approaching from Tralee and Farmer’s Brdige can access the event from the Quill’s Cross side of Ballyfinnane.
A one-way system will operate on the Garraun road, with access to the event just north of Ballyfinnane.
The car park here is shared with the classic car show and there is also a dedicated disabled parking zone available to Blue Badge holders in the old creamery yard. Media should also access the venue from this point.

All Ireland football semi-final
Organisers are aware that the All Ireland football semi-final is taking place between Kerry and Derry the same day and while the road is closed from 8 am until 6 pm organisers will endeavour to have the event completed before match time. “We cannot account for unseen delays,” added Mr Moriarty, “But we know our large team of volunteers will want to watch the game and we will do our utmost to complete the event on time. It is dependent on weather and other factors.”

Big Screen TV
The Shanty Bar has secured a big screen TV for the big match and prizegiving for the speed hillclimb will take place at the same venue a short time after the game.

On Line Entry

Posted: June 23, 2023 5:02 AM

Shannon Sports IT (EVO On line Entry) - Login Page

Irish hillclimb championship frontrunner Ben O’Brien commits to the Brian O’Neill Garden Equipment and Trailers Ballyfinnane Festival of Speed.

Posted: June 23, 2023 4:59 AM

One of Ireland’s top hillclimb racers has confirmed his participation in the Brian O’Neill Garden Equipment and Trailers Ballyfinnane Festival of Speed.
Ben O’Brien from Limerick will race his Gould GR37 Hillclimb Special in Kerry on July 16.

This new event is jointly organised by Kerry Motor Club and The Ballyfinnane Community Association. It will celebrate 120 years of closed-road motorsport in County Kerry. The first-ever event in the Kingdom was won by Charles Rolls, who later became a founder of the Rolls Royce Motor Company, on July 15, 1903.
Almost 120 years to the day, racing cars and rally cars will once again go against the clock on a closed road in the famous mid-Kerry village.

O’Brien will drive his 600bhp – fitted with a Judd Formula 1 spec engine in the commemoration event. The former Irish hillclimb saloon class champion is one of the first drivers to commit to the event.

“It has over 600 bhp on tap and weighing in at just over 500kgs it’s a ball of fun to drive and certainly keeps me on my toes,” said O’Brien.

“I have only recently purchased the car and pre-Ballyfinnane only competed in one Hillclimb in it, a masters’ event in France where I came first overall and was the first Irish person to win this event. No pressure in Ballyfinnane then!”

“I love the ultimate and extreme cars that Hillclimbing attracts and allows."

“In a day and age where such strict guidelines are enforced in so many motorsport disciplines, it’s amazing to see these cars out in force and being used as they were designed.”

“This is sure to be an unforgettable weekend of motorsport.”

As well as the speed hillclimb the organisers have laid on a host of other activities in the village on the day including an extensive classic car display laid on by the Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club.

A massive parking and traffic management plan will be put in place on the day and access to the parking zones will only be available to patrons who purchase an official programme from the car park attendants.

BALLYFINNANE FESTIVAL OF SPEED IS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED

Posted: June 23, 2023 4:54 AM

Kerry Motor Club and the Ballyfinnane Community Council launched The Brian O’Neill Garden Equipment and Trailers Ballyfinnane Festival of Speed in the mid-Kerry village on Monday evening. This brand-new event will celebrate 120 years of closed-road motorsport in County Kerry on July 16.

On July 15 1903, Charles Rolls, who a year later became a founding partner of the Rolls Royce Motor Company won the Kerry Hillclimb, the final event in the first-ever Irish Speed Fortnight. The event paved the way for closed road motorsport in County Kerry and today the county boasts two very active motor clubs and four events ranging from an international rally, a national rally, a club rally and a historic rally.

Next month Kerry Motor Club and Ballyfinnane Community Council will join forces to run a festival of motoring in Ballyfinnane. The highlight of the July 16 event will be a recreation of a speed hill climb in the area. It will be the first time since the mid-1980s that Kerry Motor Club has hosted a speed event in Kerry and as well as a host of local rally cars several single-seater formula racing cars are expected to contest the event.

Local business, Brian O’Neill Garden Equipment and Trailers was announced as the event’s title sponsor at Monday night’s launch. Additional support comes from Wharton Tool Hire and Moriarty’s Central Car Sales.
Modern safety rules prevent the original course from being used but a new course has been identified by both Kerry Motor Club and the Motorsport Ireland Hillclimb Commission that will see the finish line almost beside the entrance to the Ballyfinnane Community Council’s hall.
As a result, the famous crossroads beside the Shanty Bar will become a hive of activity on the day with the official pitstop for the event set to take place within 500 metres in each direction of the pub.

Around 80 cars are expected, and each competitor will get between three and five runs over the course with the overall winner decided by the driver who sets the fastest time of the day on any of the runs. “We owe a debt of gratitude to the local community, whose unwavering support has made this event possible. Their enthusiasm and generosity have provided us with the resources and encouragement needed to bring this celebration of motorsport to life. Thank you for embracing our shared love for motorsport and for being an integral part of this event,” said the clerk of the course Sean Moriarty at the event’s launch.

The weekend’s activities kick off on Saturday when The Kingdom Veteran, Vintage and Classic Car Club and the Irish Veteran and Vintage Car Club host a road run of period and classic cars from Castlemaine Village to their monument at the top of the original hill. The KVVCC will issue full details of their event in due course but over 100 cars including close to 30 period cars are expected at this event which is due to pass through Ballyfinnane on the afternoon of July 15.

Later that day the first of the Kerry Motor Club-hosted activities will begin with the safety inspection on competing cars set to take place from 2pm at Kerry Agricultural Services in the heart of Ballyfinnane. Drivers briefings and marshals’ sign-on will take place in the Community Hall from 2pmuntil 7pm. A driver and car parade will take place in the village on Saturday night with a ceremonial start set to take place at the crossroads at around 9pm. Afterwards, there will be entertainment in the Shanty Bar.

The main action is scheduled for Sunday and a massive traffic management plan is in place for the day. Roads will be closed from at least 3kms from the village, there will be designated parking at these points. The organisers will provide a free shuttle bus service into the heart of the village. This service is only open to people who buy official programmes, and these will be available to buy (cash only) from the car park attendants. A more detailed traffic management plan will be published nearer the event.

As well as the racing activities on Sunday, the Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club have come on board to organise a massive classic car display near the village. Over 200 cars are expected to go on show all day and a dedicated classic car-only entrance will operate from the Tralee/Farmer’s Bridge side. The Killarney club will also host live music and catering vans at their display.

There will also be a dedicated ‘Blue Badge’ holder entrance and a dedicated parking area will be available in the old creamery yard in the village – access from the Farmer’s Bridge/Tralee side. Meanwhile, the village itself will be very busy on Sunday. There will be live commentary of the day’s proceedings from a broadcast unit in the village. The organisers have secured spectator zones thanks to the support of local farmers and landowners. Other areas will remain strictly out of bounds for safety and operational reasons and attending spectators should seek advice from the many volunteer marshals on duty.
Adding to the occasion there will be a static display of local road racing motorcycles and other side shows.

“I extend my gratitude to the hill climb competitors and fellow organisers who have poured their heart and soul into making this event a reality. Your unwavering commitment to excellence and your camaraderie have created an atmosphere that is filled with anticipation, excitement, and friendly competition,” added Mr Moriarty. “Our hope for this event is not only to witness incredible feats of speed and skill but also to foster an environment of enjoyment and friendship. Let us embrace the spirit of sportsmanship, share our stories and experiences, and forge lasting connections that will endure far beyond the finish line. Together, let us create memories that will be treasured for years to come.”

Launch Night - (Mon) 12 Jun 23

Posted: June 9, 2023 2:43 PM

2023 Ballyfinnane Hill Climb to be launched on June 12

Posted: June 1, 2023 11:59 AM

The build-up to the return of hill climb racing to the Kingdom is beginning to gather pace as planning is now at an advanced stage for the commemorative event which will take place on July 16, 120 years after the first closed road motorsport event took place in the same village outside Tralee.

The various pieces of the jigsaw are now coming together for the event, which is being run by Kerry Motor Club in Association with the Ballyfinnane Community Hall Association.

A large field of racing cars, single-seaters and rally cars is expected once entries open in the coming days.

The Shanty Bar in Ballyfinnane has been the centre point to the planning process, with a large number of local residents in attendance at planning meetings for the event. The sense of community around the event is clear, as the locals are rolling up their sleeves to help the club and event organisers with every aspect of organisation.

The 2023 Ballyfinnane Hillclimb will be officially launched on Monday, June 12 at the Shanty Bar in Ballyfinnane, at 7pm and everyone is welcome to attend.

For some, a hill climb event is totally new and on the night, various members of the organising committee will be on hand to explain the logistics and how a hill climb event works. There will be some unique photo opportunities to be had as some single-seater racing cars will be parked outside the bar on the night.

Speaking on the launch, the 2023 Ballyfinnane Hillclimb Clerk of the Course Sean Moriarty said
“I would like to invite everyone to come out to The Shanty Bar in Ballyfinnane on Monday June 12 to get a sense of what this project is all about. The local community in Ballyfinnane have bought into the project and their help has proven invaluable to the organising of the event. It will be great to see some familiar and some new faces at the launch. It is a great opportunity to see first-hand the work that has been done and also a chance to see some single seater cars up close. I really can’t wait.”

Entries are due to open for the event in the coming days with a full list of regulations being posted on the ‘Sportity’ App using the password ‘Kerryhill23’

Sportity

Posted: June 1, 2023 11:56 AM

Sportity Password:

Kerryhill23
(Download Sportity from App Store)

https://webapp.sportity.com/channel/Kerryhill23

120th anniversary of Ballyfinnane Hillclimb to be celebrated with motorsport festival

Posted: May 9, 2023 10:29 AM

Kerry Motor Club has announced details of the running of a Hillclimb on Sunday, July 16 in the Ballyfinnane area outside Tralee which will mark a very special occasion in the county.

The club will mark the 120th anniversary of the first motorsport event in Kerry

On July 15, 1903, the very first closed-road motorsport event in the county took place on the hillside in Ballyfinnane, 120 years ago this summer.

That event was won by Charles Rolls, who later went on to become to founder of the Rolls-Royce Motor Company

To celebrate the historic occasion, Kerry Motor Club will run a Hillclimb in the same location, 120 years to the weekend that Charles Rolls took home the Kerry Cup from Ballyfinnane.

Hillclimb racing is one of the oldest forms of motorsport disciplines in the country. While similar to rally stages, a Hillclimb course is relatively short, usually between 1 and 1.5km in length with multiple quick runs over the same course across a day.

While there will be some regular faces in rally cars on the day, single-seater cars (in a similar style to a Formula One car) are normally the fastest over the quick course and some single-seater formula race cars are expected at the event.

The hillclimb will be run under Motorsport Ireland regulations and safety visits to the course are now at an advanced stage.

The first planning meeting took place on Monday last, May 8 in the Shanty Bar, Ballyfinnane with some 50 motorsport enthusiasts getting to work on what will be a historic occasion in the county.

Events will get underway on the afternoon of July 15 with car safety inspections, driver meetings and driver parades.

Sean Moriarty, Clerk of the Course said:
“The event, which will be run by Kerry Motor Club in association with the Ballyfinnane Community Association, is at an advanced stage of planning with a fantastic first official meeting in the Shanty Bar on Monday night. We are very much looking forward to bringing the sport of Hillclimb Racing back to Kerry and celebrating this important milestone in Kerry motorsport history.”

Mr Moriarty thanked Kerry County Council officials who are currently processing the road closure requests.

More details will be announced in due course including a classic car show and a host of family entertainment.

Some members of the 2023 Ballyfinnane Hillclimb organising team pictured in the
Shanty Bar on Monday evening after the first planning meeting ahead of the event.
Photo: Kerry Motor Club