Dylan Curley Oranmore

It was windy and wet for the Sunday races in Mondello Park, early morning track condition were slippy and it made for some interesting races with loads of off track excursions. The Patch Fiesta challenge was a real door banging affair much to the delight of the spectators.

Did you know that Mondello is on Da Telly, not only can spectators see the cars as they pass, but you can now watch live streaming coverage of the race on your phone, how cool is that.

Anyways we have just started to up load pictures.

Thank you to the Mondello Crew & Marshals for a great days racing.

I’ve mentioned before that at times Simon McKinley appeared to bend the laws of Physics, especially when going round corners.   Indeed I have sat staring into the Burren and concluded that only Simon McKinley could beat Simon McKinley’s Ballyallaban record, and he has!

And yet! This weekend, at the opening rounds of the Irish Hillclimb & Sprint championship, Simon McKinley beat Simon McKinley; and no! the LHC (Google it) has not ripped a hole in the fabric of space in Wexford. And no! I’m not smoking some weird imported tobacco.

Simon entered his Escort and Lant RT2 and set about racing, the result! He took both 1^st & 2^nd on Saturday with triple Hillclimb champion Paul O’Connell in third.

On Sunday Joe Courtney split the McKinley’s to take second with, Yes, you guessed it! Simon McKinley in 3^rd. Paul O’Connell retired due to clutch problems.

So after two rounds Simon McKinley takes a commanding lead in the championship and rounds 3 & 4 will be in Ballyvaughan in a few weeks, don’t miss out on the action! Its mind blowing!

Day 1 Times

1 Simon McKinley (Lant RT2 Warrior) 34.53s,
2 Simon McKinley (Escort) 36.38s,
3 Paul O’Connell (Pilbeam MP58 Hart) 37.06s,
4 Joe Courtney (OMS-Suzuki) 37.31s,
5 Rory Stephens (Radical SR8 Hayabusa) 39.12s

Day 2 Times

1. Simon McKinley lant rt2-31:91
2. Joe Courtney Oms-33:42
3. Simon McKinley escort-34:42
4. Rory stephens sr8-34:48
5. John Byrne Jedi-36:07
6. Deirdre McKinley reynard-36:60
7. Robert bell crossle-36:74
8. Dermot Nolan Reynard 37:32

Thanks to Aidan Courtney  for results.

The start of the Irish Hillclimb & Sprint championship is just a few days away and some of the crews attended a pre season test day at Mondello Park to blow off the winter cobwebs.

Rory Stephens took advantage of the test session to put much needed mileage on his new Radical SR8, the SR8 has a mind blowing 450BHP on tap with a paddle operated gear change. The F1 type steering wheel provides a mind boggling array of information to the driver.
On track it was easy to see just how much faster the new car is and it sounds incredible when its pushed to the max.

The pictures are in the gallery..

Fer à Cheval hairpin

Twenty one Irish drivers have now entered the Saint-Gouéno Hillclimb masters event held in Côtes-d’Armor in Brittany France. This 3.2Km (about 2 miles) ribbon of Tarmac is considered by many to be one of the most prestigious motorsport events in the French Hillclimb calendar. The event runs from May 31^st to June the 2^nd and attracts thousands of spectators who flank the entire hill all the way up to the infamous Fer à Cheval hairpin bend. Here cars approach the bend at well over 240Km/h, and where the metal of both driver, and car are tested to their limits.

Heading up Team Ireland is, current champion Sylvie Mullins, triple Irish Hillclimb champion Paul O’Connell from Limerick driving a Pilbeam MP58H, and double Hillclimb champion Simon McKinley of Dublin, Simon is best known for his exploits in his white MKii Escort. McKinley has an almost fanatical following of French fans that go wild at the sight of his Escort drifting around the Fer à Cheval hairpin bend. At well over 160Km/h he effortlessly drifts the car to within centimetres of the Armco barrier much to the delight of the French fans.

Indeed one of the most popular pit areas in the paddock is the Irish camp; festooned with Irish flags, banners etc. The fans adore the party spirit of the Irish competitors, and a real party atmosphere runs all weekend practically 24hrs a day.

Other Irish Drivers include father & Son Denis Hogan Snr & Denis Hogan Jnr from Limerick; Denis Snr will be driving his immaculate Hillman Avenger BRM, while Denis jnr will drive his extremely fast BMW M3.

Irish drivers confirmed are:

1. Sylvie Mullins                     Gould GR37
2. Paul O’Connell                   Pilbeam
3. Simon McKinley                 Lant RT2
4. Deirdre McKinley               Opel Lotus
5. Joe Connolly                      Ford Escort
6. Alex Wilsdon                      MK Indy
7. Tom Connolly                    Westfeild Megabusa
8. Dennis Hogan                    BMW M3
9. Denis Hogan Snr               Hillman Avenger BRM
10. Eanna Carrol                      Honda Civic
11. Michael Feeney                  MG ZR
12. Sennan O’Connor              Fiat Cinquecento
13. Rory Stephens                   Radical SR8
14. Ben O’Brien                       BMW E30
15. Robert Swaine                   Fiat Punto
16. Michael Melia                     Ford Sierra Cosworth
17. Joe Courtney                     Fiat Cinquecento
18. Mick O’Shea                      MGB GT
19. Russell Stanworth            Reynard Formula Vauxhall Lotus
20. Barry Smith                       Ford Escort Mexico
21. Trish Daly                          Mini

Most of the crews will be leaving via Ferry on the Tuesday before the event, and we wish them a safe journey and best of luck at the event.

For more Information on the event visit:

http://www.hillclimbfrance.co.uk/ information for English entries.

www.coursedecote–saintgoueno.fr/ official event webpage.

http://www.irishhillclimb.com/ Irish Hillclimb & Sprint webpage.

Entry list kindly provided by www.hillclimbfrance.co.uk

Click here for pictures from the 2012 event.

But you don’t have to go to France to see these Irish drivers in action, check out the Irish Hillclimb & Sprint webpage for all the news, views and the championship timetable.

The start of the 2013 Irish Hillclimb & Sprint Championship is just a few weeks away  in Wexford on the 23^rd and 24^th of March.

COC for the event is Brendan Harpur;  a new hill is being used for the event, and the hill will be used on both  days; it promises to be a real challenge for the crews.

Naylor engineering is the new championship sponsor, and if 2013 continues where the 2012 championship left off; it will prove to be another, high octane, high speed action packed year.

               Simon McKinley

Champion Sylvie Mullins will have his work cut out to defend his hard won title; the ever exciting Simon McKinley will be out to regain his title as “King of the Hills”.

Paul O'Connell

Triple champion Paul O’Connell has also signalled his return to the hills, and Sylvie and Simon will need to keep a close eye on their mirrors.

Joe Courtney

Third placed driver Joe Courtney will once again be a driver to watch, Joe pipped triple champion Paul O’Connell on Corkscrew last year and ended the year in third behind Simon McKinley.

Padraig Forde

Padraig Forde and his wonderful V8 Scott climber are set to return to the championship, Padraig always pushes hard at every event and is another very exciting driver to watch.

Oranmore driver Frank Byrnes is also set  return to racing, Frank’s V8 Pilbeam has the most glorious sound when driven in anger, and in the hands of Frank, it goes around corners at high speed effortlessly, and not always with all four wheels on the ground.

Dermot Nolan

For more information on the championship visit the Irish Hillclimb & Sprint webpage for all the news, views and much much more. Start you’re engines folks its Go! Go! Go! for the 2013 championship.

The start of the 2013 Irish Hillclimb & Sprint Championship is just a few weeks away  in Wexford on the 23^rd and 24^th of March.

COC for the event is Brendan Harpur;  a new hill is being used for the event, and the hill will be used on both  days; it promises to be a real challenge for the crews.

Naylor engineering is the new championship sponsor, and if 2013 continues where the 2012 championship left off; it will prove to be another, high octane, high speed action packed year.

               Simon McKinley

Champion Sylvie Mullins will have his work cut out to defend his hard won title; the ever exciting Simon McKinley will be out to regain his title as “King of the Hills”.

Paul O'Connell

Triple champion Paul O’Connell has also signalled his return to the hills, and Sylvie and Simon will need to keep a close eye on their mirrors.

Joe Courtney

Third placed driver Joe Courtney will once again be a driver to watch, Joe pipped triple champion Paul O’Connell on Corkscrew last year and ended the year in third behind Simon McKinley.

Padraig Forde

Padraig Forde and his wonderful V8 Scott climber are set to return to the championship, Padraig always pushes hard at every event and is another very exciting driver to watch.

Oranmore driver Frank Byrnes is also set  return to racing, Frank’s V8 Pilbeam has the most glorious sound when driven in anger, and in the hands of Frank, it goes around corners at high speed effortlessly, and not always with all four wheels on the ground.

Dermot Nolan

For more information on the championship visit the Irish Hillclimb & Sprint webpage for all the news, views and much much more. Start you’re engines folks its Go! Go! Go! for the 2013 championship.

A cold damp chilly morning greeted us in Mondello Park this morning for the IRCA Marshals Day; the track was wet and slippy, just perfect for some sideways fun and frolicking!

From early morning crews made the long journey from all corners of the country to support this wonderful day; Marshals day is a unique event, not only is it a payback day for hard working marshals, but it also raises much needed funds for the share a dream foundation.

The highlight of the day was when the children were driven around the track, the smiles said it all.

On behalf of us all here at Caora Dubha.com we say thanks to Declan and the team for another wonderful day of great crack and action in Mondello.

Pictures are in the Gallery, video will come later, please don’t alter the pictures if you post them elsewhere

The Irish festival of speed is set to run from 2nd to the 4th of August 2013 at the Limerick Raceway at Greenmount near Adare, this three day high octane blowout will showcase the very best of Irish motorsport past, and present. On display will be a mind boggling array of cars, including some very rare vintage racing cars; stands, owner clubs, and much much more. Irish Festival of Speed webpage.
Tickets now on sale, at the official site here, be quick as these tickets are selling out fast.

Click below to have a look at the 2011 event.

The 2011 Photo Book is available to buy on Blurb.com, its a worthy addition for any motorsport collection.

We have updated the Caora Dubha screensaver, it now contains over 100 images from the 2012 Irish Hillclimb Championship, so why be stuck with a boring screensaver?  install the Caora Dubha.com saver and rev up your pc. Click the link above to download, and install, and sit back and enjoy.
Remember to delete any previous version before installation.
Runs in XP, Win7, Vista etc. Make sure to scan any file you download for Viri before you install.

Mondello was cold & Damp this morning for the ever popular Xmas Rally Sprint, it was the  perfect way to blow off the christmas cobwebs, the entry was good, and the carck on and off track was excellent.

We’ve started uploading some of the pictures from the event and will add more later.

Happy Newyear to you all and the best of luck for the 2012+1 season.