MOTORSPORT IRELAND LAUNCH COACHING INITIATIVE FOR NEWCOMERS

Posted: November 26, 2004 10:57 PM

The initiative, which is being carried out under the auspices of the Irish Sports Council has been developed by Motorsport Ireland working closely with the National Coaching and Training Centre (NCTC) in Limerick.

The aim of the programme is to give each newcomer a safe and enjoyable introduction to the sport, prior to their receiving a competition licence, and prepare them for their first event so that they can participate competently and confidently and may enjoy a safe and rewarding experience.

The Circuit Racing and Stage Rallying courses will be delivered at Mondello Park Racing Circuit in Kildare and Rally School Ireland in Monaghan respectively. The Karting venue/s are yet to be advised. Initially Motorsport Ireland worked with the NCTC to train a number of Tutors who have subsequently trained the Coaches who will deliver the courses.

Currently there are 10 Coaches accredited to deliver the courses, with a further 18 Coaches at the first level of training.

All of the introductory courses will be approximately 6 – 8 hours long and will include theory, practical and on-track/stage driving tuition, culminating in a driving assessment and a written test.

The cost of each course is set so that it will be no more than the cost of a competitor’s first event (which the course will replace). In addition, successful completion of a course may be used as one upgrading signature.

An outline of the broad headings for the Introduction to Motorsport Course

content is as follows:
Ø Introduction
Ø Rules & Regulations
Ø Officials & their duties
Ø Safety Clothing & Equipment
Ø Safety Signs & Signals
Ø Pre-Event Preparation
Ø Scrutineering
Ø Competitor Behaviour
Ø Race & Track/Rallying procedures
Ø Driving Instruction
Ø Driving Assessment
Ø Written Paper
Ø De-Brief

Speaking about the initiative John Naylor, Chairman of Motorsport Ireland, said “This is a very exciting time for Irish Motorsport as we have long held the view that newcomers should have an opportunity to experience the sport in the first instance without having to make a huge financial commitment. With these new Introductory Courses we are delighted to be able to at last provide that opportunity.”

Patrick Duffy, Director of the National Coaching and Training Centre, said “The NCTC would like to take this opportunity of congratulating Motorsport Ireland on the occasion of the formal launch of the MI/NCDP coaching programme. NCTC have been delighted to work closely with MI in assisting their progress in the area of coach development. In a few short years of partnership MI and NCTC have progressed the development of an outline pathway, coach education courses at two levels and educated 4 Tutors who will deliver the coach education courses.

Great credit must go to the Motorsport Executive, without their vision, resources and support for Jacky Breathnach (Coaching and Training Co-ordinator) and Tutors David Smyth, Keith Tiernan and Kevin Reynolds this work could not have been achieved. The NCTC wish MI every success with the implementation of their coach education courses and have no doubt in time Motorsport will reap the benefits in increased participation and driver standards. NCTC look forward to continuing to liaise with MI and supporting future progress.”

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How the system will work:
When a competitor expresses an interest in obtaining a competition licence for Racing, Rallying or Karting, the following will happen:

1. MI will send to the competitor a pack containing the following:
Ø A licence application form & IRDS if applicable
Ø A video/DVD
Ø Yearbook
Ø Details about the course
Ø Some additional informational literature
Ø A course booking reference number

Pack Cost: €20

2. The competitor can then book a course date with a school quoting the reference number given.
Course Cost:
Rallying = €350, Racing = €250, Karting = €TBA

3. The competitor attends the one-day Introduction to Motorsport course.

4. On successful completion of the course, the competitor may apply for a competition licence.

First Time Licence Cost: €40.00

Motorsport Ireland