Sligo Stages Rally back for 2023

Following a three year break due to, two years of the pandemic, and last year as a result of
the introduction of the 24 month National Rally calendar, meaning Sligo slotted into
year two.

The FAAC simply automatic / Sligo Park Hotel Stages Rally is scheduled to take place on
Sunday July 16 th and with some plans already in place from 2020, Clerk of the Course Ultan
Mc Gowan and his team have already begun preparation for mid-July.

Ultan taking on the mantle for the 1st time comes with vast experience gained from
different prospectives, both as a competitor and an organiser. His recent undertaking as
Clerk of the Course for the Clubs inaugural Hillclimb in 2021 and the
successful 2 day Championship rounds last year is a true reflection of his organisational
skills.

The club are delighted to have confirmation from our loyal title sponsors FAAC simply automatic and
Sligo Park Hotel at this point giving the organising committee the confidence in planning for the event. They are currently seeking to secure further associate sponsors.

The event is Round 5 of the Triton National Rally Championship, Round 3 of the Sligo Pallets
Border Rally Championship and Round 3 of the Top Part West Coast Championship as well
as Round 6 of the Motorsport Ireland Junior Rally Series.

Tom Devaney R.I.P

Sad news in recent days with the passing of our good friend and club member following a short illness.

Tom was instrumental in getting our Hillclimb event off the ground and will be greatly missed by all. Tom competed at the Hillclimb event in Sept. 2022.

We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends. Rest in Peace Tom.

Connacht Motor Club Navigation Information Evening

Connacht Motor Club Dromahair Hillclimb

September 17th & 18th

Round 11 & 12 of the ALEKTO Irish Hillclimb & Sprint Championship

With just over a week to go until the Hillclimbers return to the winding terrain on the outskirts of the village of Dromahair to contest the concluding two rounds of the 2022 ALEKTO Hillclimb & Sprint Championship. The overwhelming embracing of the hill last year by the competitors who joined us on a wet October day, left no doubt that it would accommodate a two-day championship series. Another crucial part during the organising of the weekend event was the support from the residents whom the club have built up a close working relationship enabling a smooth-running event and provision for minimal inconvenience to the locals.

Due to the nature of a Hillclimb it demands substantial numbers of marshals and flag marshals who are required to be in position for a lengthy day and we are grateful of the support received from neighbouring clubs. It was, being
aware of this, that the organising committee decided to hold a draw on each day for some attractive prizes as a small gesture of appreciation for their support. We are delighted with the support in sponsored prizes for each
individual day, received from three local businesses who have been great supporters of motorsport. FAAC Simply automatic, title sponsors of Sligo Stages Rally, have contributed an attractive goodie bag of merchandise
including a fifty euro note. Sligo Pallets, ten-year sponsors of the Border Rally Championship, have sponsored a sought-after rally jacket and hat for each day. And Sligo Junction Service Station based at the busy junction of the N4 and the N17 have contributed a voucher for each of the two days.

Entries continue to remain open and close on September 12th. Regulations and further information are available at www.connachtmotorclub.com and on the event app. Entries at http://www.shannonsportsit.ie/evo/Login

Following on from last year’s successful hillclimb event held on a wet October day, which was widely accepted as a well run event, the club are delighted to be awarded the two concluding rounds of the 2022 ALEKTO Irish Hillclimb and Sprint Championship.

Once again, Ultan Mc Gowan has taken on the role as COC for the event, agreeing that "2021 was a learning curve”, but overwhelmed that it was accepted so well by competitors, on what were terrible weather conditions on the day. He also acknowledges the support and encouragement received from the Hillclimb committee throughout the process which has led to hosting the two Championship rounds in Dromahair on September 17th and 18th. The club are deeply indebted to the households living on the hill, who have embraced the event wholeheartedly and Leitrim County Council who supported the events planning.

The club are also delighted to have received the support of club member Joe Whyte , whose company in America , LVI Engineering are backing the event. Joe himself is hoping to make the trip home to compete on the Dromahair Hill.

Regulations will be available to download from Friday August 19th with further information available on connachtmotorclub.com, Facebook and on the Sportity App.

Art McCarrick Appointed Motorsport Ireland Sporting Manager

Motorsport Ireland are delighted to announce the appointment of Art McCarrick as Sporting Manager. The 34 year-old Sligo native, who joined the organisation in 2015 as Sport Development Officer, will start his new role in the coming weeks as part of administrative restructuring within the organisation.

Speaking on his appointment Art said; “I’m honoured to have been promoted to this position and I am very much looking forward to helping shape the future of motorsport in Ireland with the help of our stakeholders, commissions, clubs and competitors with whom I’ve built strong relationships over the past seven years. I hope that my experience, knowledge and passion for the sport can bring value to the role and support the great foundations that are already in place.”

Motorsport Ireland International Womens Day Event

Club Members Jackie Corcoran, Rosemary Walsh & Joe Corcoran with Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht Jack Chambers at the Motorsport Ireland International Womens Day Event

Championship Year for Niall Burns as he Navigates his way to 4 Titles in 2021

What an incredible year 2021 has been for Club Member Niall Burns as he navigated his way to 4 Championship Titles in one season & created Motorsport History in the process.

Niall navigated Scotsman Garry Pearson for the 2021 Season to clinch the Scottish Rally Championship, the BTRDA Gold Star, British Rally Championship National Cup and the Welsh National titles. They competed in no less than 3 different cars on their way to success including a Ford Fiesta Rally 2, a Mitsubishi Evo 9 and for the latter part of the season, they switched to a Skoda Fabia R5.

Their season was far from straight-forward and issues on various events included power steering problems & a puncture but that’s not unusual in rallying. In fact, the duo only secured 2 of their titles (the BTRDA & Welsh National titles) on the last stage of their last event – no pressure!

Niall has been committed to pursuing his Motorsport dream for many years and has started more than 200 events in 15 seasons. He has competed in Europe, the Middle East, South Africa and America and has experienced accidents and disappointments along the way but none of that has deterred him from pursuing his passion for Motorsport.

Niall now has 4 Championship Titles to add to his CV and that has to be rewarding for him on a personal level for his hard work, commitment, dedication and willingness to endure air miles as well as stage miles.

Niall is a long-time member of Connacht Motor Club and we congratulate Niall on his success in 2021 with Best Wishes too for 2022 & here's hoping for further success for Niall on the stages.

Vintage Run - Cheque Presentation to MS Northwest Therapy Centre

Joe Conboy, Connacht Motor Club & Tommy Flynn, North West Vintage & Heritage Club with representatives of MS Northwest Therapy Centre at the recent presentation of the proceeds from the Classic, Veteran & Vintage Run organised in memory of Martin Kearns, Joe Dolan & Tommy McPartlan.

Sincere Thanks to everyone involved in organising the event, our sponsors - Laois Hire / John McCorry Signs / Hot Rods @ Sligo Junction, the 100 + participants & all who contributed to this very worthy cause. A cheque for €5,162 was presented to MS Northwest Therapy Centre.