General

General

General information about Limerick Motor Club

1984 Stan Russell

Stan Russell 1916-2010

Photo from 1984 Circuit of Munster programme

IN PROFILE Bernard Kelly talking with Stan Russell from LIMERICK MOTORING NEWS The Journal of the Limerick Motor Club Ltd. November 1982

Since joining L.M.C. about 12 years ago one of the Members I have admired most is Stan Russell. He is, to my mind, the epitome of a Club Member. This is borne out by the fact that he keeps a very low profile but is always involved. I can remember very few L.M.C. run events at which he did not officiate - but unlike many others he was given a job, he did it thoroughly and efficiently and that was that. No Bouquets and No Bows.
For this reason I choose him as my subject in this the first of a regular "In Profile" interviews with some of our more illustrious Members.

B.K.: Stan, you have been a Member of L.M.C. since its inception in 1948. Who conceived the idea of a Motor Club in Limerick ?
Stan, The man who first got the idea of forming a Motor Club was R.I.C. (Ricky)Kemp, an employee of B.0.A.C. at Shannon. He was friendly with Dermod O'Brien - who is still in Limerick - and as both of them had sports cars they got the initial idea of a Motor Club. I had a Motor-bike at the time and knew both of them so I joined with them in forming the Club. Others who were involved at that time included Sean Fitzgerald who worked with T.W.A. in Shannon, Hector Newenham - who lives in Lisnagry and still competes in Saloon Car Racing, and Jimmy Eades. Dermod O'Brien and Jimmy Eades went to the R.I.A.C. and had the Club affiliated. This was in 1948 and the Club was then known as The Limerick Light Car and Motor Cycle Club.

B.K.: How many Members were there initially and what events were held ?
Stan: There were only 20 to 30 Members at first but this grew to over 100 by the early 1950's. The first event held by the Club was an (illegal) Hillclimb for Motor-bikes at Gallows Hill on 2nd. May 1948. (photograph of the entrants and officials at this event below). Other events run (Legally) that year were a Race on the Strand at Lahinch for both Cas and Motor-bikes and Grasstrack Racing at Thomond Park.

1948 Motorcycle trial
On bikes left to right Derek Waterstone, unknown, Mick Barry, Jimmy Eades, Graham Leask, Stan Russell
Also standing from right to left the 1st person is Ricky Kemp, 4th Gerdie McNamara, 6th Sean Fitzgerald, 7th Tony O'Brien, 8th Joe Garry, 9th Derri O'Brien, 11th Pat Phillips

B.K.: Since then you have seen the Club "progress" to its present standing -
has it developed as the Founders would have wished ?
Stan: The club was formed to organise and run Motorsport events for enthusiasts and it has never ceased to do this. This is what the Founders wanted and would have wished for..Motor Cyclists have not been catered for since the early 50's as this form of the sport was never very popular in the Limerick area.

B.K. : Did you ever compete in Motorsport events and if so in what capacity?
Stan : Yes, as a Motorcyclist. I competed first in a Reliability Trial on 5th. December 1936. I was a member of Dublin and District and competed in the Dublin area until 1939 when the War started and all forms of Motorsport were stopped. I came to Limerick in 1942 and started competing again after the War. I took part in Team Competition in Reliability Trials  run by the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland Southern Centre. In 1939 I had progressed to the stage where I was looking forward to competing in International events but as I said the War put a stop to that. I was member of Dublin and District until 1948 when L.M.C. was formed.

B.K. : You have seen Motorsport "develop" in Limerick to its present standard - what are the greatest changes you have witnessed and how good or bad are they ?
Stan : The greatest change has been the introduction of Special Stages. As you know Rallying in the 1940's and 50's was made up of Navigation and Trials. The sport now is much more skilled. It is also more competitive and has become terribly expensive. I think it has become too expensive for the beginner and this is the one thing I would like to see reversed.

B.K. : In recent times you appear to have officiated at most events organised by L.M.C.. What pleasure do you get from this ?
Stan : Since 1948 I have helped out at events for just one reason - I have an inbred love of the sport and when you have this you enjoy working at it.

B.K. : What advice would you give a new Member joining L.M.C. ?
Stan : If you cannot afford to compete in an event, help out in organising it. You can develop great pleasure from doing the odd jobs that need doing. Also, you can compete on events like closed navigation rallies which are inexpensive to take part in. Whatever else - get involved;

B.K. : What direction would you like L.M.C. take from now ?
Stan: I would like to see the Club have its' own Clubhouse. The other thing I would like would be to see a plan to get enthusiasts and members together - discussing and planning new developments in the sport.

B.K. Comment : We, the members of L.M.C., should feel honoured to have had the service of Stan Russell since our Clubs foundation. We should wish to have a dozen like Members at the moment.

Additional biographical information. Stan's early life was in Kiltiernan, Co Dublin, he was married with three children and was employed as a manager at Irish Shell's depot, Shannon airport. Stan's bother Benji lost his life at the 1947 Isle of Man motorcycle Grand Prix.

CommitteeStanding  left to right P Heelan, S Russell, S Fitzgerald, J Eades, J Garry
Sitting left to right Derry O'Brien, Rickie Kemp, M O'Connor

1972
Photograph from a 1972 club function
Standing left to right Hector Newenham, George Newenham, P Fogarty, S Russell, Val Baker, J Garry
Seated Ned Cussen, Derry O'Brien, Claire Fitzgerald, To be confirmed, Ger McNamara

SR SC HL
Stan Russell, Sean Cox, Hal Lewis

1998 50th anniversary

Photograph taken at the 50th anniversary of the club's formation dress dance in 1998

The club archivist appreciates Stan's family allowing the use of his collection of material about the club, which has provided the resources for this article and numerous other articles on the club's history.

Forest Rally

 

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This series of films were located by Denis Hogan Sr. He had them transferred from 8mm film to DVD back in 2011. More recently Barry Baker whose father, mother and uncle feature in the videos uploaded them to the internet. The reference to 1958 events is because of the 1958 Winter Trial caption, research has shown that the Corkscrew hill is likely 1956 so it is possible other events are from this 1956 to 1958 period.

The officials of the club during 1958 were President Dick Nash, Chairman George Newenham, directors included Noel Thompson and Paddy Fogarty

The Winter Trial was held 9 February 1958 and was round 12 of 16 in the Hewison Championship. SV (Val) Baker (uncle of Barry) took the premier award with "TheThing". There were 16 starters with one non finisher.

The entry included A Malcolm (Buckler), R Nash (Dellow), C Vard (VW), SM Logan (VW), K Sherry (VW) 

Preparation for the Circuit of Munster 25/26 May 1958 on the Dock Road, Limerick city

Continuation of the Circuit of Munster above held on the Dock Road in Limerick. This area was popular as start or finish trial in such events as the Circuit of Munster and the Circuit of Clare.

This is also Circuit of Munster. The Buckler originally owned by Guy Baker, now owned by his son Barry, can be seen from 1m 00s to 1m 08s probably driven by its second owner Alex Malcolm.

The author has been advised this may be the 1956 Corkscrew as Billy Bradshaw has been identified in the Jaguar.

Limerick Motor Club had four Major events during 1958 -Winter Trial, Circuit of Munster, Hillclimb and Circuit of Clare 28 September 1958. There were also a number of smaller events  such as a hillclimb at Portroe Slate Quarries, a fun navigation trial and more. Competitors active in 1958 included Dave Nicholson (Thunderbird), Don Gray (MG TC and Morris Minor) Louis Smith (Triumph TR2), JD Garry (Ford Consul), Hector Newenham (MG Saloon)), Bryan Geary (VW), Tommy Ballantyne (FIAT), Raymond Roche (MG and Morris Minor), Dick Barrett (Triumph and DKW)

Rallies of the time consisted of navigation to tests typically at crossroads as in the film above. The Circuit of Munster was typically over 500 miles over two days of the Whit Weekend.

Event starting at the Hurlers on the Dublin Road just outside Limerick city

Val Baker in "The Thing" can be seen in action from 1m 43s to 2m 00s in this crossroads test

The author has identified some cars in the films. So names are based on other events in the time period
FI 7671 Hillman Minx Californian
ZF 5610 Fiat 1100
FI 6080 Buckler originally owned by Guy Baker Driven in many events in the late 50s by Alec Malcolm
PI 8077 The Thing owned by Val Baker
ZL 8745 Dellow  Richard (Dick) J Nash

Lots of Beetles
TI 6864 first registered to club member D M O'Brien
TI 7969 first registered to club member J Garry
PRI 54 Sam Logan
ZP 2128 T P O'Connell
ZT 8370 Joe O'Mahoney and Reggie Tilson used this car on the 1956 RAC rally
PZF 7035?, EIK 368, ZT 6419, ZT 6419, FI 7242, ZT 6030, BI 8641, ZT 9315, IR 6554,

A few DKWs ZF 6184, ZF 5536, ZX2244, ZX1832, ZX291, __699_
ZF 5214 DKW is at Kilgarvan Motor Museum (2)

ZM 2174 Jaguar XK 120 Link to recent history of this car Used by W E (Bill) Bradshaw to win 1956 Sexton Trophy

Assorted MG T series cars probably TDs,
NCD 69 TD known to T type register (3)
ZL 5035 TD known to T type register (3)
ZE 8314, TI 5561, ID 3751 (possibly IO)

Triumph TR2
TI 7171 in both blue and white. This car was owned by Sean Fitzgerald one of the founders of Limerick Motor Club. It is not known survivor (1)
BI 6600 dark green owned by Brian McCaldin from Monaghan. This was a famous early 'long door' TR2 extensively raced & rallied in Irl & UK. Not a known survivor (1)
ZN 3501 Louis Smith was the owner in 1958, the car survives. (1)

IL 7772 Austin A30
CIK 147 Fiat 500
URI 696 Morris Minor
RRI 75_ Ford Prefect
TI 6918 Ford Anglia first registered to club member Hector Newenham

LRI 839 Special described variously as a Ford 1000 -it survives-  (1) and Jack Toohey's Dellow with supercharged 1172cc(4)
HRI 7 Elmer Connell's special
ZE 9443 Cavey Special built by M Cavey later used by Rodney Stafford
ZP 364  Ford Special used by club member Don Gray

Not identified yet
KRI 300 black sports car
ZZ 6538 red sports car on the loose surface hill

Cars in another film to be uploaded
AIU 437 DKW
TI 9001 Red Ford driven by Claire Fitzgerald
TI 6848 Vauxhall first registered to L Cronin

Help in linking drivers/owners to cars would be greatly appreciated, send information toemail

or message the club facebook page

Sources

(1) TR register

(2) DKW club Ireland

(3) MG T type register

(4) IMRC Archivist

Mini Stage, Single Stage and Rally Sprint events

28 December 2009 Limerick Mini-Stages Rally More Inforrmation

1 45 James Murphy/Anthony Nestor Ford Escort Cosworth Class 15 O/A 48:32  
2 1 Edward O'Callaghan/Ger Clancy Ford Escort Mk2 Class 13 O/A 48:44
3 14 Barry Ryan/Diarmuid Falvey Ford Escort Mk2 Class 11 O/A 49:23
4 4 Mike Quinn/Grainne McEnery Ford Escort Mk2 Class 14 1 49:24
5 17 Pat Kelly/Noel Lambert Subaru Impreza STI Class 8 1 49:45
6 26 John Hendy/Ray Cool Fitz Toyota Corolla Twincam Class 11 1 50:06
7 8 Vincent O'Shea/Brian Hickey Ford Escort Cosworth Class 15 1 50:08
8 33 Eamon Hanley/Podge Doody Peugeot 106 S16 Class 6 1 50:48
9 40 Kevin O'Connor/(Baby) Donal Balfe Peugeot 205 RWD Class 9 1 51:45
10 64 David Dunne/Ciaran O'Connor Ford Escort Class 14 2 51:50

Limerick Restricted Mini Stages 27th January, 2008 Full Result
1 6 Edward O'Callaghan/Ger Clancy Opel Manta Class 13 O/A 44:10  
2 2 Edward Synan/Denis O'Connell Ford Escort Mk2 Class 13 O/A 44:25
3 7 Barry Meade/Colin Fitzgerald Ford Escort Mk2 Class 13 O/A 45:17
4 4 Aidan Walsh/Jim Casey Ford Escort Mk2 Class 13 1 45:29
5 11 Ian Roche/Paul Roche Peugeot 206 S1600 Class 6 1 45:44
6 21 Charlie Hickey/Johnny Hickey Ford Escort RS Mk2 Class 13 2 46:05
7 19 Damien Hagan/Gregory McQuillan Ford Escort Mk2 Class 13 3 46:05  
8 23 Jason McSweeney/Ruth Guest Honda Civic Class 11 1 46:23
9 31 Diarmuid Keohane/Peter Keohane Ford Escort RS Mk2 Class 13 4 46:38
10 161 Paul Clarke/Garry Copperthwant Ford Mark 2 Escort Class 10 1 46:41

Single Stage Rally Adare 1 February 2004
1 Tom Murphy and John Crowlwy Escort 29m 51s
1 Mike Moloney and Nigel Shanahan Escort 29m 52s
1 Peter Cummins and Sean Dillon Darrian 30m 01s

RT Communications Rallysprint for the Bertie Fisher Memorial Award
Limerick Race Course, Greenmount 26 August 2001
1. A. McHale/B. Murphy (Toyota Corolla) 13m 47s
2. K. McKinstry/D. Tumulty (Subaru Impreza) 13m 53s
3. F. Meagher/A. Nestor (Ford Focus) 14m 04s
4. O. O'Donovan/D. Moynihan (Subaru legacy) 14m 12s
5. N. Maguire/P. McLoughlin (Subaru impreza0 14m 37s
6. M. Barrable/D. O'Gorman (Toyota Celica) 14m 41s
7. K. Barrett/E. McCarthy (Subaru Impreza) 14m 53s
8. B. Coleman/A. Russell (Subaru impreza0 14m 56s
9. R. O'Connor/F. Kenny (Escort WRC) 15m 14s
10. J. Foley/P. Clavin (Honda Civic) 15m 18s
11. T. Randles/Diarmuid Lynch (Ford Escort 2.5) 15m 18s
12. E. Synan

RT Communications (main sponsor) commissioned a beautiful painting of the late great Bertie Fisher that was presented to Austin McHale who said that he was "deeply honoured to receive this award in memory of a great rival and a great friend."

Report at rally.ie   2001 Ford Ireland Ka Challenge Rallysprint Report.

18 June 1983 Saturday, Single stage rally
Details from Supplementary regulations
Clerk of Course Pat Geaney, Secretary of the Meeting Pat Neville, Scrutiny at Wards Kildimo, Start time 6pm
No records found to confirm if this event ran

The Pathfinder was competed for in navigation trials, these are night time events where skills in map reading and other route defining methods determine the winner.

Initial research has found these events if anyone has more please contact the website at email address shown on home page.

The club organised many open and closed navigation trials from the 1950s onwards.

28/29 December 2019 the club is organising its first navigation trial for 23 years.

1 June 1998 Circuit of Munster Retrospective. This was organised by Barry Tobin and Paddy McDonnell in the style of early Circuit of Munster Trials to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the club. The start was at the Adare Heritage centre and finished at the Woodlands Hotel. There were two autotest type tests each run twice and a short hill climb. There was also three regularity sections, including one that started at Lyons of Limerick Ford and finished at the Villager Bar, Castlemahon. There was a choice of navigation methods either a navigation style route instructions or a simpler Tulip intructions. 

Mid 1990s A number of "flapper" (closed events not listed on the RIAC calendar were organised). This researcher has found a set of route instructions for one such event. The date or club is not mentioned. The start and finish Coordinates indicate Reens Pike, the route was scheduled for 98 minutes starting at 9:45, this indicates a distance of 49 miles with 20 vias of which three were plot and bash. The event notes state 1. Some vias may not be maned (this is as typed on the original sheet). 2. Intermediate time checks will be in operation. 3. Timing will be on sight.

20/21 April 1996 The Irish Motor Racing Club (IMRC) annual Retrospective rally had its overnight halt at the Woodlands Hotel, Adare. After supper Limerick Motor Club assisted with the night navigation section of the event, a number of local crews  were allowed to enter the navigation section.

24/25 February 1996 The Pathfinder was given to Novice winners Ed O'Callaghan and Gerard O'Connor (Austin Montego). Barry Tobin was Clerk of Course assisted by Paddy McDonnell. The event was described as an "Old Style" navigation rally. The route was about 100 miles all tarmac. Competitors were challenged with three plot and bash sections, a herringbone and a regularity. The first car left the Woodlands Hotel Adare at a minute after midnight and was due back at 04:14, Ward's garage Kildimo was the half distance control point. This was a closed club event although weekend club membership was offered for £2.50 per crew member. The entry fee £30+IRDS breakfast was available after results. 

Photograph taken at the 1998 50th anniversary dinner

10 January 1993 Described as club's second Night Navigation Trial. This is probably correct as the entity Limerick City and County Motor club Ltd replaced The Limerick Motor Club Ltd in 1991.
Results
1 Barry Tobin/Declan Mullally
2 Ed O'Callaghan/Shane O'Callaghan
3 Mike Walsh/Pat Vaughan

1988 Winners John Carroll/Vincent Coughlan (names on Pathfinder trophy)

14/15 November 1987 Scheduled in RIAC calendar

3 October 1984 Bernard Kelly planned to run classes at the Boat Club, Limerick for four weeks as a lead up to the Pathfinder Navigation trial in November

26/27 November 1982 140 miles of mostly tarmac surfaced roads starting at 10pm finishing 5:30am. 1982 saw the introduction of a silver perpetual trophy presented by Tadhg Kearney, Jeweller. Regulations for the event were available from Clerk of Course Pat Neville, Mungret with an entry fee of £15. Pat had to organise the event with Wolfgang Schnittger to end their winning streak of the previous three years.

The event was held in terrible conditions with fog and ice throughout the whole route which went through Ballyneety, Crecora, Curragh Chase, Croagh (rest halt) Meanus, Hospital with a finish at the Parkway. Route Card 

Result first overall James Doherty/Paddy McDonnell
Class 1 1. C McNamara/J Hynes 2. J O'Mahoney/M Fitzgerald 3. M Roberts/K Hynes
Class 2 No finishers
Class 3 1. L Lynch/J Creed 2. K Lyons/Paddy Kennedy 3. J Butler/E McCourt
Class 4 Novices 1. J Moloney/M Purcell 2. M O'Connor/ J Dunne
Class 5 1. T Harkin/D Harkin

27 November 1981 (Friday) Winners  Wolfgang Schnittger/Pat Neville
Clerk of the Coiurse James O'Mahoney, Limerick Motor Club Stewart Evan Conroy. Start and finish at the Parkway Motel, Dublin Road, Limerick.
Route 140 miles using OS half inch to the mile sheets 17 and 18. Entry fee £15 
Timing was done by each competitor supplying a watch to be set to a time slower than true time by there start position. The watch was sealed in a box provided by the competitor.
Report about 1981 event 

1980 winners  Wolfgang Schnittger/Pat Neville

1979 winners  Wolfgang Schnittger/Pat Neville

24/25 November 1978 Winners Sam Hawkins and Michael Daly, Cork, (Ford Escort) Class I: 1 I Wren and E Griffin, 2 P Sheppard and M Sheppard. Class II: 1 Tony O'Mahoney and Vincent Coughlan, Cork,  (Dowling Chevette), Novice: John Walsh and Billy Brett 

25/26 November 1977 the event was held on a Friday night/Saturday morning in the Barnath Mountains. The run was over 80 miles and the conditions were extremely tricky because of ice. Of an entry of 25, only 17 started and less than a quarter of this number managed to finish.
Results
1 Pat Maloney and Eddie McCourt (Autosave Imp) 87 points
2 Donal Griffin and Shawn Wall (Commodore Hotel Twin Cam) 113 points
3 Tom Casey and Catherine Casey (Imp) 156 points

27 November 1976 date in RIAC calendar for closed navigation trial

22 January 1959 Thursday Closed Navigation Trial, organised by Brian Geary. Only three crews arrived at the Lakeside hotel, Killaloe finish on time. One car ran out petrol and the crew had to walk through several miles of snow to the nearest filling station.
Results
1 Mrs Claire Fitzgerald/ Miss M Leonard (Anglia) 250 marks
2 D W Gray/ Mrs P Gray (Minor) 230 marks
3 Desmond McCarthy/ T J (Billy) Bogue (MG TD) 200 marks

23 September 1958 The trial was organised by Miss Marie O'Sullivan using a route between Limerick and Newmarket-on-Fergus stretching northwards around Sixmilebridge.
Results
1 Reg Tilson, Cork (Volkswagen)
2 George Newenham, Limerick (Ford)
3 Bryan Geary, Limerick (Volkswagen)
One remarkable feature of the event was that three drivers were also doing their own navigation!

22 March 1956 (Thursday night) Organised by H B Foy, N P D Fogarty and C Troy. The route was 44 miles from Rathbane through Kilpeacon, rocktown, Lough Gur, Liskennett, Ballygrennan, Corass, Castleroberts, to the finish at the Dunraven Arms Hotel, Adare. Entrants had to average between 24.5 mph and 26.5 mph. There were nine checks two of which were secret leading to a number of early and late penalties.
Results.
1 S Murphy/W Bogue (Volkswagen) 0 marks lost
2 B Geary/R Geary (Volkswagen) 10 marks lost
3 J D Garry/ G Fogarty (Volkswagen) 15 marks lost
Also finished:- Miss M O'Sullivan (Humber), Peter Barry (Ford), Mrs S Fitzgerald (Standard), N Thompson (Ford), V Baker (Ford), O Walker (Ford)

September 1955 The Limerick Motor club Navigation Trial, organised by Dick Nash, proved a great success. A good entry faced the starter, and at the final control, after a splendid run, the following crews had completed the course without a loss of marks and so gained first class awards (drivers names first, navigators names second):-
C Downes, P E D Kennedy (Volkswagen); Mrs Fitzgerald, Miss M Leonard (Standard 8); S N Fitzgerald, M O'Connor (Anglia); J D Garry, "Bud" Fogarty (Hillman); P Sullivan, Mrs O'Sullivan (Riley); N J Thompson, N P D Fogarty (Anglia)
From the start at Limerick the trial proceeded to a control situated six miles south of Askeaton, near Creeves Cross. From here each had to visit three points before checking in at the final control at Ballygran railway bridge. The trial was so arranged that the cars visited the checks in a differnent rotation, thus eliminating the possibility of a competitor following another car.
The organisor had to pick his check points well, and navigatords had no easy task to pilot their drivers to the various points within the allocated time. For the most part the trial traversed secondary road and, indeed, in some sections the going was pretty tough. This, however, did not deter the drivers, but some of the navigators were relieved to the checker's flag, and so confirm they were on the correct route.
Several well known trials drivers turned navigators for the event. Val Baker and Bobby Kennedy, for instance, forsook the whele, and while the latter had a clear run, Val managed to approach the final control from the wrong direction and thereby was eliminated. Miss Marie O'Sullivan and Miss Corbett made splendid progress for more than half the course but failed to reach the final control within the prescribed time. Mick O'Connor, who for so many years was a very active and efficient Secretary of Limerick Motor Club, made a welcome return to trials as navigator to Sean Fitzgerald, and guided him through the trial with out an error.
Such informal events as these are most enjoyable, and they provide excellent training for both driver and navigator for the larger trials and rallies.

 

 

 

 

 

Philip O'Connor

Philip O'Connor driving the Sheane Formula Vee belonging to his relative Gerard O'Connor at the 2014 Ballyallaban hillclimb. Philip needed signatures to upgrade his licence to drive the hillclimb class 3B BMW he was building with his cousin Adam Craughan. Philip drove the BMW once at Imokilly club's non championship hill at Dungarvan 14 June 2015, before his battle with cancer began.

Philip had previously raced and hillclimbed a Sheane Rover competing with and against Adam Craughan.

Philip was from Parteen Co. Clare but he had a strong family connection to county Limerick, his father is from Feigh Beg near Askeaton. He was working as a pilot with Ryan Air at the time of his passing.

Philip O'Connor

Philip in action at the 2015 Imokilly Hillclimb Thanks to Ger Leahy Photography

Philip O'Connor

Philip pondering on his choice of a Cento to upgrade his licence at the 2014 Limerick Motor Club Effin Sprint.

  1. Club President
  2. Trophy Cabinet
  3. Autocross
  4. 1972 Easter Rally