Knockalla Donegal
Well we are off…well almost, the 2016 Naylor Engineering Irish Hillclimb & Sprint Championship is just a few weeks away from starting and already drivers are itching…well, they are raring to go anyways. There’s a sprint in Kirkistown in March that many of the regular Hillclimb competitors may take advantage of for some pre-season testing/shake-down. Once again the championship will visit some of the most scenic areas of Ireland, from the haunting beauty of the Burren in Co Clare to the spectacular knockalla hill in Donegal with its stunning views of the north Atlantic and the beautiful Portsalon beach.
One wonderful aspect about Hillclimbing is…there’s a class for practically everything and everyone. Its not all about having the fastest car out there, in fact one of the best and most entertaining classes of 2015 was the Italian mob. I am talking of course about the fiat cinquecento’s, now here’s a class that provided some of the most wonderful and endless entertainment all year long. The class offers a very cost effective way of entering the world of Motorsport, and it really is fun to take a small car like this by the scruff-of-the-neck and throw it around a hill or race track.
Watch out for the fiat cinquecento’s in 2016 they really are the entertainers of the championship, why not stop by the paddock and say hello to the drivers they are always delighted to offer help and advice.
Joe Courtney Reynard 913
A championship wouldn’t be a championship without a champion, and our champion Joe Courtney has his eyes firmly fixed on the year ahead and securing a second consecutive title. He is an amazing driver to watch in action and makes it all look so very easy as he guides his Reynard 913 at high speed through the tightest of corners.
Rory Stephens
Watch out too for Rory (grand-dad) Stephens in his radically good looking Radical SR8, I’ve said it before Rory’s car is like an Armani suit, you don’t just drive it, you wear it! The sound the Radical makes is glorious at full throttle and Rory’s car eats Tarmac at an amazing rate as he effortlessly guides his fire-breathing monster up the hills. Joe Courtney will need to keep an eye on his mirrors this year as Rory will also have his eyes on the title.
Ed Cassidy 1935 Iona Special
Watch out also for the historic cars during the year as it gives you a rare glimpse into the past as these leviathans of speed from yesteryear race up the hill. Do you think these folks take it easy on the hills? Well no! these guys litterly drive the socks of these wonderful machines and they make the most amazing sound as they are driven to the max, its a real nerve jangling exercise watching theses drivers in action on the hills.
Its not all about racing of course, the championship has a wonderful social and family side to it, there is always something going on in the evening in the paddock as the drivers kick-back and relax after a day of racing. You’ll hear tall tales of amazing bravery and the odd excuse for a silly moment on the hill. But you will always receive a warm welcome and there’s always a cup of tea on offer, or perhaps something a bit stronger.
There’s no doubt about it, the Irish Hillclimb & Sprint championship is one of the most vibrant and entertaining forms of motorsport, so why not drop by an event and watch the action and say hello. Caora Dubha will be bringing you the very best of the action in pictures during the year, and check out the links below for all things Hillclimb. We’ll see you along the road someplace. Check out the Gallery, the pictures tell the story much better than my mutterings ever will!
Irish Hiillclimb & Sprint webpage all the news, views, results and much much more.
Vantage Point Video for the definitive collection of Irish Hillclimb Video & News.