Galway Motor Club

Pictured at the launch of the GMC Hillclimb Ballyvaughan (From left to right)
Declan McNamara, Martin Carey, Donal Morrsiey, Joan Vaughan - Deputy Clerk of Course
Alan Logue – Owner of Logues Lodge, Sylvester Mullins.

We plan to use “Ballallaban Hill” on Sunday which will be ran at a distance of 2.2 miles, where the current record of 1min.40.46 sec. stands since it was set by Patrick Roche in 2004. On Saturday “Ballyryan Hill” at the base of Ballnalacken Castle is the venue; this 1 mile hill is on the coast road from Ballyvaughan to Lisdoonvarna and is approximately 5 miles beyond the village of Fanore. The record for this hill 46.59 seconds was set by Michael B. Roche in 2005.

All the championship contenders will attend including current Hillclimb Champion Limerick’s Paul O’Connell who has already clocked up three wins on the first four rounds of the 09 championship. Driving his Delta T79 Warrior racing car he leads Peter Dwyer’s Reynard FVL who finished second on both days in Wexford. Paul was fastest on the Sunday of the Clare Hills two weeks ago and will be aiming for a repeat performance this weekend.

Local competitors who will be looking for results this weekend include Ballyvaughan’s Declan McNamara, Sean Connole, Mort O’Loughlin; Killian Connole is now driving a formula ford 1600 Wimhurst which he has prepared. John Donnelly and John McNamara who will double drive the famous Coogar.

Sylvie Mullins from Ballyvaughan will compete in his newly acquired GOULD GR37 which is pumping out 600 horse power. Sylvie has already smashed the record on the national track in Mondello back in September 08 during the Leinster Trophy Event. He also set a new lap record in Angelesy in Wales back in July 08. Competition was high at the Clare Hillclimb when Sylvie set a blistering time on the famous Corkscrew hill altogether over 4 secs ahead of the rest of the field. Sylvie is capable of taking on current champion Paul O’Connell for outright victory on the Galway Hills. There will also be a big turn out in the Rally Car Classes and will also include a number of vintage cars from Galway Motor Club & Clare Motor Club. There will also be a number of firm friends returning for the event, David Gray from Scotland will compete in his beautiful TVR on both days. Other Galway Motor Club Competitors include Dean Laffey, Donal Morrissey, John Laffey driving his Vauxhall Chevette, Matt & Helen Clarke in their Mini Marcos.

Clerk of the Course for the weekend is Dennis Murphy; Deputy Clerk of the Course Joan Vaughan and Secretary for the event is Aisling Grimes from Headford. Mechanical & Document Scrutiny will take place at the Ballyvaughan Filling Station, Ballyvaughan on this Friday evening 17th April between 7.30-9.30pm.

Prizegiving will take place on Saturday Evening at Logues Lodge, Ballyvaughan at 9.30pm. and will be followed by music and entertainment. Meals will be available all day in the restaurant. Prizegiving for Sunday’s Hill will take place again in Logues Lodge but at the earlier time of 6.30pm.

The Ballyryan hill will be closed to traffic on Saturday between 10.30am – 6.30pm and on Sunday on Ballallaban Hill between 11.00am – 6.00pm. and Traffic Diversions will be in place.

The Galway Motor Club would like to take this opportunity to thank the residents and landowners on both hills, the residents of the village and the Business Community of Ballyvaughan for their continued support.

Regulations and Entry form for the Hillclimb

Please click on below links : (.pdf format)