MAYO & DISTRICT MOTORSPORT CLUB 30TH ANNIVERSARY - (Fri) 27 OCT 06

Posted: November 1, 2006 8:50 AM

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01/11/06
Mayo & District Motorsport Club marked three decades of motorsport in the county in style on Friday night last, with a gala 30th Anniversary celebration at the TF Royal Hotel & Theatre, Castlebar.

Nearly 200 guests including members past and present, together with some of the biggest names in rallying, gathered to catch up with old friends, reminisce about times past, and plan ahead for an exciting future.

Among the rally stars to attend the 30th Anniversary celebrations were the 2006 Pirelli Tarmac Rally Champions Eugene Donnelly and Paul Kiely, and the 2006 Dunlop National Rally Champion Charlie Donnelly. Rally legend and five times Tarmac Champion Austin McHale, a native of Louisburgh was also present, as was a man who first competed on the Mayo Stages Rally back in the seventies and is still competing at the highest level, James Cullen.

A selection of rally cars, including the famous Toyota Corolla WRC which took the Donnelly brothers to their respective titles in 2006, were on display outside the hotel.

Hosted by long time club member and current Treasurer Willie Durcan, a presentation was made to founding members of the club in acknowledgment of their contribution to the development of the sport in Mayo. Honoured were Bernie Kenny, Vinnie Kelly, Fintan Newport, Jimmy Sheridan, and John Ruttledge.

The club also acknowledged the long-time contribution of a number of its members, many of them actively involved in the club since the very beginning. John Duffy, Tom Tuffy, Margaret McGreal, James McGreal, Eddie Quinn, Sean McHugh, Joe Corcoran and Willie Durcan received presentations in appreciation of their dedication in keeping the club active through good times and bad.

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PRE EVENT NEWS

MAYO & DISTRICT MOTORSPORT CLUB CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY

2006 marks 30 years since the formation of Mayo & District Motorsport Club, and to commemorate the occasion the club will be holding a function at the T.F. Royal Hotel & Theatre, Castlebar on this Friday, October 27th.

A gala evening will see many of the founding members of the club, together with past winners of Mayo & District organised events, get together with current club members to reminisce on times past and look forward to an exciting future.

A number of top rally stars are expected to attend, among them Eugene Donnelly, the 2006 Tarmac Rally Champion and his brother Charlie who, in addition to wining this year’s Mayo Stages Rally, also clinched the National Rally Championship to claim a unique family double.

Members of the public will be able to view a display of rally cars outside the T.F. Royal Hotel & Theatre from 6.30 pm, including the famous Toyota Corolla WRC that took the Donnelly brothers to their respective championship successes. Videos and archive reports and photos will also be on display inside the hotel.

From its inception in 1976, Mayo & District Motorsport Club has played an important role in supporting and developing motorsport activity in the county. Originally founded as Ballina Motor Club, in 1999 the club changed its name to more accurately reflect the broader area from where it draws its support. Over the years, the club has organised many different events including multi-stage and single stage rallies, forestry rallies, autocross events, night navigation events, autotests and even fuel economy runs!

30 years on, M&DMC is in fine health, with interest and involvement in the club at an all time high. There are presently in excess of 150 members, most of who are actively partaking in motorsport competition. In 2006, the club organised and ran six events including a round of the national rally championship, a single stage rally and 4 loose surface autocross competitions. Members get together on the first Wednesday of every month at 9.30pm at the T.F. Royal Hotel & Theatre. New members are always welcome.