Motorsport season drawing to a close after busy few weeks for Birr & District Motor Club members

THE motorsport season is drawing to a close but it has been a busy few weeks for some of Birr & District Motor Club members.

Recently in Mondello Park the Irish Rallycross Championship kicked off their season. For the club's autocross competitors this was the last last round of the championship with a double header on the Saturday and Sunday.

Some of the junior members were only starting their season with the first two rounds in the mini championship the same weekend.

Results for the Saturday; In the Juniors, A Final: Cody Mahon was 4^th, Hugo Loonam was 6^th, Mark Keegan was 8^th.

In the Autocross section Mark Kirwan was 5th overall, James O'Keeffe was 9th overall, Peter Whyte was 13th overall, James Dalton was 19th overall, Ronan Shanahan was 23rd overall, Mike O'Connor was 24th overall, Conor Leenane was 27th overall, James Last was 29th overall.

Sunday's results: In the juniors Cody Mahon was 2nd in the Junior A final, Mark Keegan was 2nd in the Junior B final.

In the Autocross section Mark Kirwin was the overall winner with the quickest time on run 3, Peter Whyte was 12th overall, James O'Keefe finished 13th overall and 2nd in the 600 class, Mike O'Connor was 20th overall, James Dalton was 21st overall, Ronan Shanahan was 22nd overall and 3rd in the 600 Class, James Last was 28th and Connor Leenane was 29th overall.

A massive congratulations to Mark Kirwin on his win. This was Mark's third win out of the six rounds this year.

The National Rally Championship prize giving took place recently in the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone.

Eoin Longworth collected the Clerk of the Course award for Birr's Tarmac Stages rally which was based out of Garahy's Garage Birr back in April.

Aidan Bourke scooped second place in class 13. Aidan also managed to clinch first place in class 13 in the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship,and also second in class in the Sligo Pallets Border rally championship.This is a highly competitive class so a big well done to Aidan after a steady drive all year in all the Championships.

Owain Drought claimed 2nd place in the super touring section at the 2024 Irish Touring Car Championship awards night held at the Ardboyne Hotel in Navan last weekend - a big well done to Owain on this great achievement.

The Sligo Pallets Forest Rally Championship awards took place last Saturday night week and we had more great results from club members.

1st in class 10: Mike Garahy & Iarla McCarthy, 2nd in class 11R: Damien Brophy & Ger Buckley, Class 18: 1st Walter Burke & Bobby Cooper, Class 4: 2nd James Lowry & Shaun Forde, Top historic crew: Walter Burke & Bobby Cooper.

Last weekend some of the club members headed to Killarney to help out and compete at the last rally of the year the Kilarney Historic rally.

Aidan Bourke and co driver Pierce Jnr Doheny finished off their season in style with a hard earned class win.

Club chairwoman Susan Smyth was navigating for Pat McDonagh in a M2 escort and they finished fifth in class.

The Roscrea Crew of Eoghan and Cian Fogarty were leading their class and were up to 28th overall in their Toyota Corolla Twin cam until mechanical issues forced them to retire on stage six.

The last Club event of the year takes place on Saturday December 28^th. It's the Turkey Chaser Autotest which takes place at Garahy's Garage Birr, so make sure and come along for a look.

Finally the club AGM took place on Thursday November 16th and history was made when their first ever female chairperson was elected. They would like to welcome Susan Smyth into her new role and wish her the best of luck. Also to outgoing Chairman David Forde, they would like to thank him for all his hard work and dedication to the club for the last few years. Davey is taking a step back and is now the vice chairman for the coming year.

You can keep up to date with club members events and fixtures by following them on Facebook or log onto www.Birrmotorclub.com.