Donegal Hillclimb - 3-4 Sep 22

DONEGAL MOTOR CLUB PRESS RELEASE 3: THE 50th ANNIVERSARY KNOCKALLA HILLCLIMB HITS THE TON

Posted: September 1, 2022 3:23 AM

THE DANNY GORMLEY MEMORIAL HILLCLIMB ATTRACTS RECORD ENTRY.

This is the stuff of dreams. The race to the Clouds will set Irish records this year.

The Donegal Motor Club has announced that the Knockalla Hillclimb, set for Saturday and Sunday the 3rd & Sunday 4th of September, has received “an unheard of” entry of over 100 competitors for both days.

Race Secretary Sam Pearson has confirmed that Motorsport Ireland agreed this week to the Club’s request to run extra numbers due to the unprecedented demand for entries on what is Ireland’s most famous ALEKTO Irish Hillclimb Championship venue, and easily it’s most scenic.

Clerk of the Course Michael Kelly commented:
“We are blown away by the interest in the 50th anniversary Hillclimb. It’s an unheard of entry in Irish Hillclimbing. It’s obvious that so many are coming out to pay tribute to our former COC Danny Gormley, as we are renaming the event in his memory. We have been inundated with people who want to join in the tribute.”

“We want to thank Motorsport Ireland, series sponsors ALEKTO and the Hillclimb Commission for their help. This will be the first Hillclimb since Danny passed away in 2021. With their help we are confident that everyone that entered will now get to run on the hill so spectators should aim to be in place early. Its going to be a busy weekend up the most spectacular venue in Irish motorsport.”

“There will be a stunning array of cars and competitors on show. From John Donnelly’s specialist Pilbeam MP62 rocketship to Kerrykeel’s own Ernest Stewart in his Chrysler Hunter, still going from the very first Hillclimb (that’s Ernest, not the car), there will be nonstop action from 10.30 to 5.30 both days.”

“We are also delighted to receive the support of St. Eunan’s GAA in Letterkenny, who operated the camping facilities on the Donegal International Rally weekend, and are supplying essential safety equipment for marshals and officials. It is a much appreciated gesture.”

“Spectators are advised to approach from Kerrykeel/Portsalon as car parking will be available and a shuttle bus will operate up the hill from the start line. No spectator access will be possible from the Rathmullan side, and the road will be closed at the Glenvar junction.”

We want to thank all the local residents, landowners, Donegal County Council, the emergency services, An Garda Siochana, programme sponsors and everyone who is supporting us.”

“Our event is only possible thanks to the generosity of Kelly’s Toyota, DMG Motors and CBM Signs as title sponsors, but their enthusiasm to mark this as a special 50th anniversary has been infectious. We are really looking forward to a very special weekend.”

“With added pressure on paddock space Chief Marshal Francie Devine has put out a call for anyone wishing to marshal to contact him via the Motor Club Website or Club Facebook, and reminds all spectators to proceed with extreme caution while the competition is running. Safety will always be our first priority. Marshalling points are available for all DMC members.”

“A full entry list will be available in the event programme and a specially commissioned 50th anniversary starters medal will be presented.”

EVENT TIMETABLE.

Friday:

- Scrutiny at the Main Knockalla Car Park from 17:00 hours. Recommended.

- Scrutiny at the Main Knockalla Car Park from 07:00 hours.
- Drivers briefing 09:30 hours at the start line.
- Practice runs start 10:30 hours
- Racing finishes 17:30 hours
- Saturday Prize Giving at Ripples Restaurant Kerrykeel from 20.30 hours.

- Practice runs start 10:30 hours
- Racing finishes 17:30 hours
- Sunday prize giving and presentation of the John Leinster and Danny Gormley Memorial Trophies will be on the Knockalla Hillclimb start line immediately after the conclusion of racing

Entry List

Posted: September 1, 2022 3:21 AM

Donegal Hillclimb - 3-4 Sep 22 - ENTRY LIST

DONEGAL MOTOR CLUB PRESS RELEASE 2: THE “RACE TO THE CLOUDS” FILLS UP

Posted: August 21, 2022 2:31 PM

The entries have been coming in Fast & Furious for this year’s Donegal Motor Club 50th anniversary Danny Gormley Knockalla Hill Climb, which is a testament to the reputation of the event, the work of the organisers and the affection and regard for former Clerk of the Course Danny Gormley, in whose honour it has been renamed.

This year’s COC Michael Kelly is presiding over a record entry and welcomes on board three title sponsors, all well-known as longstanding sponsors and competitors on Donegal Motor Club events. These are
DMG Motors of Donegal Town
CBM Signs of Letterkenny
Kelly’s Toyota of Letterkenny and Mountcharles.

Post Covid, and because of it being the 50th, there is a fantastic buzz around this year’s event with renewed interest with a great mix of old and new local crews. With first-time Juniors such as Seamie Browne & Dara Bonner competing alongside local Hill climb Veterans Ivan Stewart & Willie Vance it's sure to be an entertaining event at a local club level.

The Magical Knockalla has gained entries from Rally newbie and Tik Tok-famous Jason McConnon from Monaghan in his Peugeot R2 car, who’ll be bringing a Tik Tok following of over 170,000 along for the run, alongside current British Rallycross Champion Derek Tohill in his 700bhp+ Ford Fiesta Supercar joining in on the “Race to the Clouds”. There is something for everyone to see at this year’s Hill Climb.

Most importantly the event counts as two rounds of the ever popular ALEKTO Irish Hill Climb Championship, one on Saturday 3rd September and the other on Sunday 4th Sept, and this has led to a record entry being received from all over Ireland, with many race cars and single seaters not usually seen in the hills of Donegal.

As always marshals are required on both days and there will be some surprises for both Marshals & competitors alike over the weekend. Saturday’s Prize giving will be held at a gala dinner in Ripples Restaurant in Kerrykeel, while Sunday’s will be on the start line of the famous hill, directly after racing, to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of Knockalla and to present some special trophies to mark the occasion.

Regulations, event information and contact details for the 50th Anniversary Hill Climb are available online, link below.

On Line Entry / Regulations

Posted: August 11, 2022 4:25 AM

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

DONEGAL MOTOR CLUB PRESS RELEASE 1: THE RACE TO THE CLOUDS BEGINS.

Posted: August 11, 2022 4:20 AM

50TH ANNIVERSARY KNOCKALLA HILLCLIMB. THE DANNY GORMLEY MEMORIAL CLIMB.

Donegal Motor Club have announced that the 50th Anniversary running of the Knockalla HIllclimb, now named in honour of the late Clerk of the Course Danny Gormley, will take place on the weekend of 3rd and 4th September 2022.

In the year when the Donegal International Rally celebrated its 50th anniversary the Hill climb, the first ever closed-road event ever staged by the Motor Club, finally gets to its 50th running after the Covid pandemic years, sponsored by long term Club supporters Kellys Toyota and CBM Signs from Letterkenny, and DMG Motors from Donegal Town.

The spectacular setting, overlooking Ballymastocker Bay, is one of the most celebrated places in motorsport folklore, providing an unrivalled natural amphitheatre for fans and competitors to enjoy one of nature's wonders.

Featuring the world famous beach and coastal drive on the Wild Atlantic Way, Knockalla has from the outset been the flagship road of the Motor Club, and of County Donegal, and is known and revered across the globe as a result.

Clerk of the Course Michael Kelly commented:
"The fiftieth anniversary Hill Climb on Knockalla Mountain is going to be a wonderful celebration of Ireland's best Hill Climb. It will run on both Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September, and each day will be a separate counting round of the ALEKTO Irish National Hillclimb Championship, competing for the Frank Keane Trophy."

"While a celebration, we will all be missing Danny Gormley, the Clerk of the Course of the Donegal Rally for years, and also the Clerk of the Course of the Hill Climb with me. He was a great mentor within the Club. His loss is keenly felt and the Motor Club have named the event in his honour."

"Everyone whether competing, marshalling or organising on the weekend will be thinking of him as it will be the first Hill Climb without him for over 30 years. The event stands where it is today thanks to him. We will be racing to the clouds in his memory."

Regulations and on line Entry now available
Demand for entries will be as high as the clouds for what is going to be a very special anniversary.

Club Website

Posted: August 11, 2022 4:19 AM

Donegal Motor Club