Turkey chaser autotest a fitting end to Birr club's year
Birr & District Motor Club members were busy last year, marshalling, officiating and competing at events throughout the country across a wide range of motorsport disciplines.
The club had a busy year hosting motorsport events, including autotests, autocross, an endurance trial and a treasure hunt, concluding with the annual Turkey Chaser Autotest on New Year’s Eve. An entry of nearly 40 gathered at Garahy’s Garage, Birr for the club's eagerly awaited Turkey Chaser Autotest.
Autotesting is one of the oldest and most accessible competitive motorsport disciplines where World Rally champions, Rallycross champions and others have cut their teeth. For this discipline, a one-day competition licence is typically available allowing competitors to try their hand at a motorsport competition without making a big commitment.
Clerk of the course (COC), Kevin Maher was delighted to see 13 beginners taking on the challenge and across the classes there were a wide variety of cars taking part. The most popular car by far was the Toyota Starlet, but there were also Nissan Micras, a Fiat Cinquecento, a Toyota MR2 and the famous Triumph Special nicknamed 'The Tractor'.
Drivers came from all over the country, including female competitors and junior drivers as young as 14 years old. Added to the list was an overseas entrant from the Netherlands who was convinced the night before to take part and it was his first time to drive a right-hand drive car!
On arrival, Ethna Garahy had tea, coffee and homemade scones to energise the masses! The weather forecast was poor but it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm as competitors headed out to learn their tests, yet the day soon brightened to blue sky. Clerk of the Course (COC), Kevin Maher and his team had set three tests to be repeated three times with their layout to cater both for the experienced and beginners alike.
A few drivers had some mechanical problems, but help was on hand with Kieran Garahy and his team along with fellow competitors ensuring they were able to finish the event.
Once the last test was completed and the results were being finalised, Ethna and her team had a hot dinner of beef stew and homemade desert to warm the competitors and marshals.
At the prize giving, club chairman David Forde spoke to the large gathering, thanking everyone for coming. He noted the great turnout, adding it was great to see such a large number of newcomers. He thanked the Garahy family for their hospitality and Ethna Garahy for the fine dining; it was much appreciated. He also thanked MI steward Eoin Noonan and Kevin Maher as COC, and noted the great help provided on the day. He thanked all for coming and wished a Happy New Year to all.
COC for the event, Kevin Maher also addressed the group thanking all the competitors for coming and remarking that they were very lucky that the weather was so good. He thanked the timekeepers, marshals, MI steward Eoin Noonan and the Garahy’s for their hospitality. It was then on to the prize giving where Birr & District Motor Club Treasurer Eoin Longworth announced the results and Kevin Maher presented the awards.
There were two overall awards. In the saloon class, first overall went to John McAssey and, in the specials, first overall went to Liam Croston. Full results for the classes are available at https://www.stopastride.live/eventresults.php?eventid=284
Birr & District Motor Club thanks everyone involved for a great day’s sport – the Garahy family for their hospitality, COC Kevin Maher, marshals, timekeepers, officials and last but not least the competitors.
The next Birr & District Motor Club event will be the Birr Stages Rally on April 21. For further information on the Turkey Chaser or other club events, details are available on the club website (www.birrmotorclub.com) and on the club's social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly Twitter).