One of our passions here at MicksGarage.com is Motor sport. In Ireland we have an extremely exciting, varied and vibrant Motor sport scene but I often feel a lot of it goes unnoticed, which is a huge shame. To that end we're going to make it our mission this year to highlight some of the amazing events and competitive series taking place right here on our door steps.
If you are interested in being involved in Hillclimbing in 2015 then you are very welcome to the least exclusive members club in Ireland!
We love to see new people getting interested in our sport, from drivers and mechanics to marshalls and officials. If you would like a guide in how to get started in Hillclimbing then check out the getting started pages on www.irishhillclimb.com here you will find information on the venues, directions, gps co-ordinates and lots of news updates and pictures as the championship progress.
If you need any other information on a hillclimb weekend just come along to an event and ask any regular in the paddock!
So what is in store for Hillclimb drivers in 2015?
Well we have classic Venues like the Corkscrew and Ballyalaban in Ballyvaughen and Knockala in Co Donegal, in Dublin we have the technically challenging Naul venue and for the second year running, we have Limericks latest venue, the fast and flowing Effin sprint located near to Killmallock.
The thrill of going over the crest with nothing to see but skyline in Ballyalaban and keeping the throttle open, the challenge of Wilhares corner in Knockalla and the technical ability needed to get the best time from the Corkscrew are always memorable every year.
The chat and banter and friendships made, both old and new with fellow competitors and officials from all over the country and in such a diverse range of machinery is a huge factor in why I keep coming back to hillclimbing after trying Rallying, Racing, Autotesting and Navigation events.
Where else can you be competing with Formula type single seaters, a Honda Civic turbo, a V8 engined Radical sportscar, some unbelievable Historic racing cars, a Diesel Bmw, a range of crazy Fiat Cinqucentos driven by even crazier drivers, Bmw M3’s, Ford Escorts, Subaru Impreza’s, Evo’s , Minis, Peugeots 205’s, and of course normally aspirated Honda Civics.
Our competitors come from every walk of life possible, Mechanics, Engineers, Band-Aid salesmen and Ocean going digger operators, there are Teachers and Computer specialists, Entrapreneurs and Truck drivers. There is even a Farmer or two! The one thing we have in common is the ability to drive competitively and have some fun while doing it.
The standard of competition promises to be as high as ever in 2015. Simon McKinley the reigning multiple champion will be out to defend his run of victories in his 2.4 litre Warrior engined Lant single seater. This car has been at the forefront of Irish Hillclimbing for 15 years now and due to constant development it continues there today. It even has an F1 style Drag Reduction System to allow the alloy blocked 2.4 Warrior engine perform to its best.
What price the odds on seeing the legendary White Warrior MK2 Escort again this season I wonder? As ever he is playing his cards close to his chest
Dermot Nolan is another candidate for overall success if his run of bad luck with mechanical issues ends. His beautiful F3 based Reynard mi16 engined car will suit some of the upcoming smoother surfaced venues. His minions are working hard to have everything ready for 2015. A dark horse for more overall success perhaps?
.Speaking of Dark horses, Deirdre McKinley wife of Simon who managed to do the superwoman impression last year by finishing second in her class in 2014 along with giving birth to a baby boy, little Rory. She has shown consistent improvements in her Opel lotus over the last few years and the recent great showing at the Hillclimb Masters event in Luxembourg should do wonders to her confidence for 2015. Looking after both Simon and Rory will prove a handful but thankfully Rory has agreed to keep an eye on Simon in 2015.
The Daddy of all motorcycle cars John Mahon is thankfully another stalwart Hillclimb character and competitor. The great little DJ bus has proven to be quite an effective car in the hands of John Mahon. He absolutly loves this car, so much so he has not rolled it half as much as his previous cars. Take my advice and don’t keep him awake at night in the paddock or you may find your steering wheel in a tree or your plug leads mixed up!
There are rumours of a few more exciting competitors coming out in 2015. The Connolly father and son duo’s Beautiful and ferociously fast Gould Judd v8 single seater could yet make its debut on Irish Championship Hills in 2015. The Connolys are both quick pilots but unproven yet at this level. Although if anyone can make it work this pair should. the form book would say it should be a learning year but in Hillclimbing who can predict the outcome!
The father and son duo of Alex Wilsdon and their Blue Radical has proven to have rapid pace with either Alex Senior or Junior at the wheel. They are another pair that have the ability to shake things up in 2015. Indeed many people are trying to work out how to catch and then beat this pair.
Former champion Sylvie Mullins from Clare in his Judd v8 engined Gould is another candidate that could spell trouble for McKinley in 2015. The pair had a royal battle all year when Mullins won his only Hillclimb championship to date. If Mullins can spare the time to do a full championship he would definitely be one to watch.
There are another bunch of notable entries and characters to keep an eye out for in 2015. The cento cars have proven to be a great success to date with a fiercely fought battle on the timesheets every weekend. The very ” Holy” Joe Courtney will be looking to hold off all comers to his crown as Cento king in 2015. Best of luck Joe as there are some serious contenders aiming for number 1 spot on the Cento alter.
Brian Ledwith and James Doherty should renew their battle for class 2 and overall honours in their 1600cc Toyotas. Two very quick drivers in two very quick cars makes this a great battle and who knows who else will join them in class 2 in 2015?
Class 3b should be a hotbed of smoke and tyres in 2015. This class is for big engined noisy saloons with noisy drivers. Any class with Eanna Carroll’s turbo Honda, Eddie Lyons, Martin Flanagan, Jim Butler and Michael Melia in their beautifully prepared saloon cars and the spaceframe brigade of Michael Walsh, Brendan Keane and Alex Wilsdon makes for a volatile and exciting class. Throw in a few more promised Blitzkrieg contenders such as Denis Hogan in his BMW M3, Ben O’Brien in his BMW 330 Diesel and Paul O’Connell in his BMW V10 engined e30 and it will be even more fun to watch! Ben O’Brien has a lot of work done to his car after a first full season with the car in 2014. With a new hybrid turbo, bigger injectors, bigger intercooler, Limited slip diff, Avon tyres and new suspension components it will be fascinating to see how fast a diesel can go in this class.
The Historics are always great to see at every event. There seems to be a larger Historic contingent at every hillclimb these days. From classics such as the ever sideways and spectacular Mk1 Ford Escort’s to the equally spectacular and priceless cars such as Ed Cassidys Iona Special these cars are an inspiration in why racing cars need to race regardless of age.
We had 2 well supported rallycar classes last year with a range of 1600 and 2000cc machinery. Will David Byrne and Niall Fortune be able to repeat their feat of winning the class in the national championship? Rallycars in these classes must run with rally tyres, two seats and be rally ready. Its a great and cheap way for people to bring out a rallycar without having to buy Hillclimb specific tyres etc, – we would love to see more of you!
We will see you in the paddock in Ballyvaughen in April. Keep an eye on www.irishhillclimb.com and like our facebook page
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