Sylvie Mullins Gould GR37
In just a few short weeks the Irish Hillclimb & Sprint championship will make its annual trip to the picturesque village of Ballyvaughan Co Clare, this year the Ballyvaughan Hillclimb weekend takes place on the 25th – 26th of April.
This is one of the do not miss weekends of racing that features two of Ireland’s most Iconic hills and besides, Ballyvaughan is renowned for its hospitality and excellent sea food. Action gets underway early on Saturday morning with some of the fastest race cars in Ireland going head-to-head in the stunning Burren.
Over the course of the weekend some very powerful machinery
will compete for championship points on two of the most challenging; yet technically different hills. The Scalp Hill is traditionally run on Saturday, and Ballyallaban hill on Sunday, both of these hills are regarded by any drivers to be among the most challenging and entertaining.
Robert Dwane Falcon Mini
The Scalp Hill is a fast technical challenge for the drivers. Speed is but one part of the equation; you really need very precise smooth driving to get the best out of this hill, be sure to watch out for Local driver Sylvie Mullins in his 600+BHP Gould GR37 and he is stunning to watch in action.
Simon McKinley Lant RT2
On Sunday the drivers take on Ballyallaban hill, and although the hill has been shortened (Booo!) it is still a hill with a fearsome reputation of being a car-breaker. The road surface is very abrasive and bumpy, and in places drops of thirty-feet or more lie
beyond its granite stone walls. The tight hairpin bends are off camber and very bumpy and the drivers really have to work hard to keep all four wheels planted on the road and the smallest of mistakes can be very costly indeed.
There are lots of safe viewing spots on Ballyallaban hill, but again we recommend you get there early and obey the Marshals instructions at all times.
The Ballyvaughan Hillclimb weekend is a very family friendly weekend of motorsport, there is lots to see and do that will keep the smallest member of your crew entertained. A walk around the paddock Sunday morning on Ballyallaban is highly recommended, it’s an excellent way to get up close to some of the stunning cars competing on the hills including some very rare historic cars. Drivers are only too happy answer questions about their cars and you’ll find out all sorts of Hillclimbing information and trivia too.
A word of warning, the paddock is a busy spot and young children should be supervised at all times, if you are taking pictures please do keep a discrete distance from the cars and allow crews to work away unhindered.
Why not visit the Aillwee caves, they are just a short distance away from the bottom of
Ballyallaban Hill, or perhaps a walk across the stunning Burren where some of Irelands oldest Megalithic tombs are to be found. If you are feeling a bit peckish Logues Lodge in Ballyvaughan has an excellent menu and it’s a very cosy spot to rest your weary
feet.
I highly recommend taking the coast road from Galway to Ballyvaughan as the views are simply stunning.
For more information, news, views and lots more visit the Irish Hillclimb Web page
Want to take a peek at the cars in action? Well pay a visit vantage Point Video