Tag Archives: Motorsport

News, Sport

Rally Driver And Motorsport Ireland President Visit MTU

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Pictured at the MTU Kerry were : Sean Moriarty Kerry Moter Club , Motorsport Ireland President Aidan Harper , Ben Slimm MTU Kerry , Seán Hegarty Kerry Morer Club , Rally Academy member Aoife Raftery , Ciara Looney – Corporate Affairs MTU and Tim Daly – Head of Strategy and University Performance . Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD

MOTORSPORT Ireland President Aidan Harper and Rally Academy member Aoife Raftery made a high-profile visit to Munster Technological University (MTU) Tralee on Monday.

The visit coincided with The Rose Hotel Kerry Winter Rally, which was held the previous day and used MTU’s campus as its service park for the first time.

The event was a  step towards a larger goal: bringing the World Rally Championship (WRC) to Ireland.

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MTU Tralee had been shortlisted – along with venues in Waterford and Limerick – as a potential host location for the WRC. The collaboration between the university and Winter Rally organiser Kerry Motor Club was another step in the process.

“We’re working closely with the Major Bids Department, which is based in Killarney,  to secure government funding,” said President Harper. “Our dream is to have Ireland on the WRC calendar in 2026 or 2027. This is a major opportunity for the country, and we’re determined to make it happen.”

Raftery, the first female driver in the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, shared her experiences in the Junior FIA European Rally Championship with MTU students.

“It was fantastic to be at MTU and to inspire the next generation of engineers, business leaders, and sports scientists,” said Raftery.

“Rallying is a complex sport that requires a wide range of skills, from driving and navigation to engineering and team management. I hope to encourage more young people to pursue their passions in motorsport.”

Harper and Raftery also visited the university’s virtual reality suite where they were introduced to the school’s road safety demonstrator.

“I was very impressed with the road safety simulator, this should be rolled out to schools and colleges around the country and use it educate drivers in the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving and how speeding and lack of concentration are all contributory factors in road traffic accidents,” she said.

Raftery also recorded a road safety message on behalf Kerry County Council where she emphasised the importance of road safety, particularly for young drivers.

“I’m a strong advocate for the ‘Keep the Race In Its Place’ campaign,” she said. “It’s crucial to remember that driving is a serious responsibility, and we must always prioritise safety.”

Other guests included Colete O’Connor of Tralee Chamber Alliance and Kerry County Council’s recently appointed road safety officer Declan Keogh.

News, Sport, WHAT'S ON

Deja Vu Tralee Is A Must For Motorsport Enthusiasts

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The launch of the Deja Vu event at The Rose Hotel on the May Bank Holiday Monday.

ONE of the biggest motoring extravaganzas ever seen in Kerry is ready to take over Tralee and Dingle on May 27 and 28.

Déjà vu Tralee will trace the history of motorsport in the county as part of Kerry Motor Club’s 50th anniversary. It will also raise funds for Recovery Haven in Tralee.

Helping them do it are some of the biggest names in Irish and International motorsport. World Rally Championship stars Craig Breen and Kris Meeke will be joined by five-time Belgian champion Patrick Snijers and multiple Irish champion Austin MacHale.

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The top 30 cars are seeded and both the driver and their car will have a story to tell.  See them on The Mall in Tralee from 9.30am on Saturday, May 28.

Déjà vu founder and internationally renowned co-driver Dr Beatty Crawford said: “When Kerry Motor Club invited us to become part of their 50th-anniversary celebrations we were only too happy to oblige.

“They had all the ingredients to help us put on an outstanding Déjà vu Motorsport event. They have history in tests such as Minard Castle, Slea Head and Conor Pass, special stages that have been used on The Circuit of Ireland and Circuit of Kerry.

“Add in the excellent charity Recovery Haven Kerry, the support of Rentokil Initial, Kerry County Council and the Tralee Chamber of Commerce, MIS Motorsport Insurance and an excellent venue in The Rose Hotel for our headquarters. The icing on the cake –  the unbounding enthusiasm of the Kerry Motor Club,” he said.

Over 150 cars are expected – some of them the finest motorsport cars on this planet, more rare classics out for a once-off drive.

They include 30 Fords including an RS 200; 16 Porsches; 14 Minis; 11 Subarus; 7 Opels; 6 Toyotas; 5 Lancias, Renaults and Sunbeams; 4 Vauxhalls, BMWs and Audis; 3 Hillmans, Triumphs and VWs; 2 MGs, Jaguars, Fiats, Peugeots and Ferraris – yes a 308 and a fabulous F40; 1 Mitsubishi, Honda, Nissan, Saab and an Aston Martin.

WHERE TO WATCH

10.00 – 11.30         The Mall, Tralee

10.20 – 11.50         Castlemaine

10.40 – 12.10         Inch

11.20 – 12.50         Dingle

12.00 – 13.30         Slea Head

14.00 – 15.30         Conor Pass

15.00 – 16.30         Camp Mountain and Short Mountain

16.00 – 18.00         Rose Hotel Tralee

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News

Banna Beach Resort Winter Stages Rally Returns Next Month

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Clerk of the course Jonathan O’Shea with 2017 winners Cavan’s Gary Kiernan and Abbeyfeale’s Keith Moriarty. Also pictured are Keith and Kerry O’Shea. Photo: Padraig Foran

THE ever-popular Banna Beach Resort Kerry Winter Stages Rally will return to the Tralee area on November 6th / 7th following a four year break.

Masterminded by Banna Beach Hotel proprietor William Murphy and Kerry Motor Club in 1989, the traditional end of season event has grown to become one of  Ireland’s most popular events.

Clerk of the Course Sean Hegarty and team have put together a challenging route to ensure an action packed weekend.

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A compact six-stage route will challenge competitors using stages in the north Kerry area. New for this year will be the inclusion of a shakedown stage on Saturday afternoon.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming motorsport back to the North Kerry area after such a long lay-off,” said Clerk of the Course Sean Hegarty.

“These are challenging times to run a major event but our safety plan is in line with Irish Government, Sport Ireland and Motorsport Ireland guidelines and we have prepared a COVID-19 compliant event. I look forward to welcoming rally drivers, from near and far, including our overseas visitors, on the weekend of the event. “

No fewer than five previous winners have entered to date including West Cork’s Daniel Cronin and his uncle Denis and local Kerry Motor Club driver Mike Quinn as well as Gary Kiernan, the last man to win in 2017.

The Rally will provide a huge boost to the local economy with over 140 competing crews and their support teams due into the Tralee area as well as the many spectators due to follow the event.