Name : John O’Connor

Age: 24

Lives: Askeaton, Co. Limerick

Occupation: Electrician

Rallycar: Citroen C2R2

Road car: a beautiful left hand drive 93 Opel Astra estate!

When did u first get behind the wheel of a car?

I think I was about 15.. I convinced Mikie Walsh to let me drive his 2 litre RWD mark 3 escort rallycar!!

Where does your interest in motorsport come from?

My Family have always been stuck in motorsport.. My Dad nearly won the National forestry title in the early nineties only he rolled out of contention on the final event! He and Frank Meagher used to have good battles in the wood so I guess that’s something to be proud of…!

First motorsport memory?

I remember been giving the choice to go and watch a rally or play soccer with the local under 8 team… There was only ever going to be one winner! The soccer manager wasn’t too impressed when he found out!

What was your first event?

Circuit of Munster 06… I had a mark 2 escort. I think I finished 51st and 4th in class 10

How did you progress from there?

Didn’t really have the funds to do much so only did the odd local event.  Myself and Carrie Moroney competed in the NJRC in 2009, it was my first proper years rallying I used a RWD Mark 3 Escort… didn’t go as planned..a lot of DNF’s due to mechanical problems.. finished  4tho/a in the championship and 2nd in the 1600 modified class.

Favourite rallying moment?

Winning the Stonethrowers Junior rally this year is up there, it put me back in the National Junior title race and winning my first Junior rally back in Clare in 2009

Favourite Stage?

Doing the Molls gap stage in Killarney for the first time this year… some people say it’s over rated but I think it’s class!! There something special about starting it because of all the greats that have competed on that stage before and to be leading the Juniors after it against all the locals was a nice feeling…!

What your most frustrating moment in rallying?

Donegal Harvest Rally 2012 tested my patience, while on the way to the event an oncoming car lost control and hit me… destroying the service van, trailer and almost the rallycar. Thanks to the generosity of others and a couple of long hours, we reached the start line. The day was looking good, we were on the pace and it looked like all the hard work was paying off until the gear lever snapped off and left us with only 3rd gear. We retired after that stage and with that lost the National Junior title, we still got 3rd O/A in the Championship but that was little comfort on the side of the road in Donegal….!!

Any big accidents?

I think my biggest was splitting a telegraph pole in the 2008 Clare Junior rally… I was using my Brothers Peugeot  rallycar and lost the back of the car over a series of bumps… I think we hit the pole in 5th gear.. Definitely wasn’t a good day at the office!

How has the year gone for you?

Bar my off in Killarney earlier in the year It’s gone relatively good, I’m happy enough with the speed ive shown considering it’s my first year in a front wheel drive car and to make it more awkward she’s left hand drive..! It was disappointing to lose out on the Junior Title, with all the drama we had in build up to the final round, on the day it seemed to be going our way until we retiredbut if rallying was easy everybody would be doing it!

And the future?

Honestly I don’t know.. I put a lot into this year and to lose a the final hurdle was very hard to take… but I’ll dust myself down over the winter and see if there’s anything that will float my boat.. if nothing develops I might just pick and choose my events next year.

Anything else to say?

I want to thank everybody that has helped me from the moment I began rallying, especially Dad I had given up all hope after 2009 but he kept at me for the last 2years to come back and give it another go! Anybody who knows him will tell you he can be very persuasive! I know I won’t live this down but thanks to my Co-drivers Keith and Ger for all their help this year, I know I can be awkward over the little things on the day of an event! Thank you to our unsung heroes, Mam and Sinead for making sure we never go hungry at a rally and a special thank you to Tj at SVS, Danny at DM Motor Factors, Kevin, Henry, Mike, Jack, Gary, Steven, Danny, Raymond, Liam and Keith for all your help this year.

 Johnny

You can follow Johnny’s progress @  www.oconnormotorsport.com , Facebook or on Twitter.

Profile added to website 24 October 2012

 
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This area of the website is dedicated to Limerick Motor Club members

If you would your profile added here email the address on the home page of this website

Kevin O'Connor
John O'Connor
David Ryan (Club PRO Appointed October 2013, resigned 2014)

The Limerick Motor Club Winter Trial was usually the club's first event of the year. The event was a regular event until the 1970s at that time trials were evolving into test trials or as they are known now as autotests.

The author believes that there were no Test Trials from 1978 until Autotests were started by the club in 1996

15 July 1978 Ten Knights Test Trial on calendar, no results found.  Start time 7pm The Square, Newcastle West

19 March 1978 at Limerick in conjunction with Civic Week. Hewison championship round.
1 Alan Murray (Mini) 416.3s 
2 Dermot Carnegie (Mini) 446.6s 
3 P Power (Mini 998) 446.7s 
4 D Richardson (MG) 448.3s
5 P Lynch (Midget) 454.2s
6 F Lenihan (Datsun) 465.2s
7 N Ferguson (Mini) 465.2s 
8 P Phelan (Halda Mini) 479.1 
9 S Flangan (Mini 998) 516.7s 
10 R Doyle (Mini 998) 575.0

9 January 1977 This year was the last year the Hewison ran as a calendar year championship the next Hewison championship had a winter season from September 1977 to May 1978. The Limerick winter Trial was the second round of a season that ran until May.

21 March 1976 Limerick Civic Week Test Trial held at Limerick City Ronald Glynn (Mini Clubman) from Naas took overall victory 33 seconds ahead of local club member Ivor Doherty Adare (Mini). Waterford Driver Pat Power was third also in a Mini. There were 10 tests and prizes were presented by the Mayor of Limerick, Councillor Thady Coughlan 

18 January 1976 Sligo driver Alan Murray, in a 1275 Cooper, was the overall winner of the Winter Test Trials at Croagh Co. Limerick. The event held in mixed, loose and tarmac conditions, was also the second round of the Hewison National Test Trial Championship. 17 drivers including one lady. Clerk of the Course was Sean Fitzgibbon.
Class 1: 
1 P Phelan Dublin Holda Mini 429.17 pts
2 P Power Waterford 970 Minni S 530.14 pts
Class 2
1 K Irwin Tyrone 1275 Mini 435.01 pts
2 D Carnegie Dublin 1275 Clubman 463.50 pts
Class 3 and 4
1 P Lynch Dublin 1275 MG Midget 539.44 pts
2 L Mooney Dublin Grange BW 544.85 pts
3 F Lenehan Dublin 1200 Leyland GT 572.64 pts
Novice Award 
C Townsend Secretary Sligo Club 1275 Mini 533.08 pts

19 January 1975 Shaun Wall was entries secretary for this event held at Croagh and the second round of that years Hewison championship. Despite wind and rain Alan Murray of Sligo driving a Mini Cooper S won the event by 2.3 seconds. Ken Irwin of Castleberg Co Tyrone was second in his Clubman GT and Dermot Carnegie also in a Clubman GT was third after losing five seconds for a fault on the second of eight driving tests. 
Overall 
1 A Murray Cooper S 310.9seconds
2 K Irwin Clubman GT 313.2s
3 D Carnegie Clubman GT 317.2s
4 P O'Flynn Clubman GT 334.4s 
5 S T Griffin Cooper S 334.4s 
6 P Whelan Halda Mini 538.5 
Class winners P Phelan, K Irwin, L Mooney
Novices 1 J Beatty, 2 S Madden  3 P Power

18 February 1973 Cancelled

23 January 1972 Denis Hogan, Adare was entries secretary. The event started at the Two Mile Motor Inn, Meelick and was the second round of that year's Hewison championship. This event was run on roads rather than in quarries. Connie Burke designed the ten test  route with Denis Hogan.
Harold Hagan from Uster  took the premier award in his MG Midget 282.9 marks. There were 24 starters.
Class results Front wheel drive saloons over 900cc. 1. Alan Murray BMC Cooper S 388.2 2. Dermot Carnegie Homelite Mini GT 389.4 3. Clive Peterson BMC Cooper S 292.9 next in class were Doug Richardson, Frank Lenehan and Frank Fennell
Front Wheel drive saloons up to 900cc 1. Mrs Olive Hayes Mini 468.7 2. B Grogan Mini 610.9
Rear Wheel Drive Saloons 1. Larry Mooney VW 440.4 2. G Bourke Hillman Imp 489.1 3. S R (Sam) Meyer VW 512.8
Open Cars 1. W Cavanagh Ford Special 472.8 2. G Percy Ford Special 489.5 3. D Lambe MG Midget 532.3
Novice Award D Johnston Mini 441.4

28 February 1971 Limerick Motor Club organised the rally of the season - The Winter Stage 71 Rally. About 30 cars started from the Coach Inn Kilcornan and headed to a 2.5 mile stage Curraghchase forest.

1970 The RIAC withdrew permits from Limerick Motor Club for six months following a deviation from the rally code at the 1969 Thomond rally.

26 January 1969 The Hurler's Castletroy was the start for this non championship event.

6 February 1966 A 25mile route starting at the Dunraven Arms, Adare was used for this years event which was not a counting round of the Hewison Championship. The Winner was Dermot Carnegie in an Austin Cooper S, local driver Brian Moore was second in a standard Mini and another local Connie Bourke was third in his Morris Cooper S. John Gale from Dunboyne in a Morris Cooper S won the novice award. Other award winners were P O'Callaghan (VW),  T Burke (VW), E Hughes (Austin), S O'Sullivan (Austin Healy). Keith Griffin, Adare, was entries secretary.

7 February 1965
The event  had 15 or 16 tests on a short route of two laps near Nenagh. The first four finishers had received pylon penalties. There were 20 competitors. It was a round of the Hewison championship.
1. Shea Griffin Griffin Ford Special by 3.9s
2. Conor Linihan Morris Cooper
3. Dermot Carnegie
4. Cecil Vard
Each of the top four received penalties for pylon bashing!

1964
The route was two laps of 25miles near Nenagh with 15 tests
1. Leslie Vard
2. Shea Griffin
3. Charlie Gunn
4. Conor Lenihan (Galway)

10 February 1963 This event date is only mentioned in the club journal Motors and Motoring

28 January 1962
Thirteen tests in the Nenagh area. Prizegiving at Ormond hotel, Nenagh
1st Open Car Seamus Griffin, Griffin special
1st Saloon Car Paul O'Flynn Volkswagen
Click for brief report from the club journal Motors and Motoring

29 January 1961 Starting at Hurler's Filling Station, Castletroy, 1:30 p.m. 

7 February 1960
Premier Award J Griffin Griffin 547.9

Saloons under 1000cc
1. P Cramme NSU 552.8
2. D Cullen NSU 560.2
3. T Burke NSU 564.5
Saloons over 1000cc
1. K Sherry VW 565.6
2. TV Connolly VW 571.0
3. J O'Mahoney VW 585.2
Open Class
1. J Griffin
2. AD Malcolm Buckler 555.7
3. R Redmond MM3 565.7
39 Starters 3 Non Finishers

8 February 1959 This event consisted of 12 tests in two 20mile  loops north east of Limerick. A Malcolm in a Buckler took the Premier Award. Val Baker of Cloughjordan in the Thing finished third in general classification

9 February 1958 This event was round 12 of 16 in the Hewison Championship. It started at Ardnacrusha Bridge and covered a route of about 45 miles. The club's annual dinner dance (dress) was held the previous night with a ticket price of one guinea.
Paul Flynn was then only non finisher of the 16 starters due to losing some teeth from his crownwheel
Premier Award SV Baker, Cloughjordan, (The Thing)
Open Class
1 SV Baker (The Thing)
2 A Malcolm (Buckler)
3 R Nash (Dellow)
Saloon class
1 C Vard (VW)
2 SM Logan (VW)
3 K Sherry (VW)

15 January 1956 Irwin Catherwood win the Committee Cup at the clubs 40 mile Hewison Trial in the Newport area

16 January 1955 The principal award went to P Le Fanu from Dublin. the competition included driving tests and road manoeuvres during the four hours on the road there were 5 observation points. First class awards went to C Ruttledge, Dublin (Ford Special) and O. Kennedy, Limerick (MG). The Best Saloon award went to Mr V Baker, Cloughjordan (Ford Anglia)

 1954 Winner Kevin Murray

11 January 1953 Nineteen competitors took park in an event started by the Mayor of Limerick Mr. Kevin Bradshaw. The route, a distance of 60 miles, was via Birdhill, Nenagh, Killaloe and O'Briensbridge, and covered some very hilly country. The drivers had to undergo severe tests on the journey.
Results Report
Sports Car Class 1. K Murray, Sligo (Mercury Special) 2. H Newenham, Limerick (MG TD) 3. A L Young, Dublin (MG TC) 4. W J Fitzgerald, Waterford (Ford 10) 5. R J Nash, Newcastle West (MG TD)
Saloon Car Class 1. H Murrogh, Clonakilty (Ford 10) 2. M O'Flaherty, Dublin (VW) 3= A Canty, Cork and P Dempsey, Tullamore

1952 Premier Award Kevin Murray (V8 engined Mercury Special) 1952 Event Report

1st Class Awards RJ Nash (MG TD), JA Bell (Ford Special), Maurice Cavey, Bill Young (MG TC), Dermot O'Clery (J type MG)
Tied for Saloon Class Award MC Hogan (Hillman Minx) and F Aldritt (Ford Zephyr)

1951 This event was won by Kevin Murray by 1 1/2 marks from D O'Clery with V F Ross third. This win gave Murray a significant lead in the Hewison Championship

22 January 1950 The trial started at Limerick and wound its way by devious routes and a series of tests to Nenagh where an enjoyable lunch was had by the competitors. The afternoon part of the trial continued through the Killaloe Slate Quarries, Ballina, Ardnacrusha and Limerick. Result  1. J Cotter, cork , BSA 2, H Newenham, Limerick, Austin 3 J Garry Limerick MG. The sucess of event was due to the untiring efforts of Mr F Cullen

1949 The first scheduled Winter Trial, held 23 January 1949, was a trial for motorcycles. The course contained 19 observed sections in the Windy Gap/Woodcock Hill area and had to be covered twice. The premier award was won by Michael Sargint from Cappoquin

Autocross History

Autocross was a very popular club event from the 1960s to the 1990s when difficulties with getting venues led to the end of this event. Events were mainly held on loose surfaces such as quarries with the occasional grass surface event. The Limerick Motor club event had national championship status for a number of years. the club sometimes held 5 autocross events in a single year. In 2014 a new venue for Autocross event was located near Rear Cross Co Tipperary beginning a new era of Autocross for Limerick Motor Club

27 March 2022  Event page
A field of 49 drivers enjoyed an event held in glorious sunny conditions. The water tanker was out before every run to keep the dust down at Jim Bolton's quarry. Victory was taken by Thomas Healy who improved by 1.76s on his third to pip early leader John Treanor.

2021 Limerick Autocross not run due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions

12 April 2020 Limerick Autocross (LS) (A) Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions

21 April 2019 Autocross at Bridgetown Co Clare 2019 Autocross at Bridgetown Co Clare    
Best time of day (Special): Anthony Culleton (Semog) 2m 58.9s.
Best time of day (4x4 Saloon): Matt Shinnors (Impreza) 3m 12.3s.

Class winners: William Meade (Nova), Mike Casey (Peugeot 205), Steven Cafferty (Civic), Gerard O’Connell (Celica), Mike O’Connor Jnr (Lancer Evo), Ben Walsh (Speedcar), Nicky Hegarty (Honda Special), Cian Walsh (Peugeot 205), Mossie Costelloe (Micra), Paul Furlong (Semog).

9 December 2018 Autocross at Bridgetown Co Clare Final Round of FIVE STAR CATERING National Championship
Best time of day (Special): Padraic McHale (Yacar Buggy) 3m 50.29s
Best time of day (Saloon): Mike O’Connor (Lancer Evo) 4m 14.63s
Class winners: T J O’Connell (Nova), Chris Snow (Peugeot 206), Gerard O’Connell (Celica), Owen Murphy (Impreza), Paul Nolan (Berrisford Suzuki), Nicky Hegarty (Honda Special), Mossie Costelloe (Micra), Anthony Culleton (Semog).
More details on event page

10 December 2017 Autocross at Tarrant's Quarry, Cahir, Co Tipperary
Best time of day (Special): Kevin O'Connor (Semog Buggy) 1m 56.09s
Best time of day (Saloon): William Meade (Nova) 2m 09.07s
Class winners:
Evan Maher (Corsa) 2m 19.07s
Denis Greaney (Peugeot 205) 2m 12.03s
Damien Driver (Corsa) 2m 11.06s
Mike O'Connor Snr (Integra) 2m 18.05s
P J O'Connor (Lancer Evo 9) 2m 10.08s
Declan O'Regan (Kawasaki Special) 2m 8.07s
Whitby Moynan (Toyota Special) 2m 03.09s
Adam Grace (Ka) 2m 15.03s
Cian Walsh (Peugeot 205) 2m 27.06s
Paul O'Driscoll (Semog Buggy) 2m 01.04s
Elaine Shinnors (Impreza) 2m 34.00s

Photos by Alan Noonan of Rally Through a Lens Full Result Event Page

11 December 2016 LOOSE SURFACE AUTOCROSS AT SHANBALLYEDMOND, REARCROSS, CO TIPPERARY (ROUND OF MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP) Event Report

Best time of day (Special): Paul O’Driscoll (Semog Buggy) 1m 44.13s,

Best time of day (Saloon): Lukasz Czapnik (Impreza) 1m 51.06s

Class 1: 1 Joe Dowling (Corsa) 1m 58.25s, 2 Shaun Forde (Nova) 2m 01.73s, 3 Evan Maher (Corsa) 2m 02.00s.

Class 2: 1 Denny Greaney (Peugeot 205) 1m 56.46s, 2 T J O’Connell (Corsa) 1m 58.79s, 3 Joe Shinnors Jnr (Corsa) 2m
00.06s.

Class 3: 1 Pat Driver (Peugeot 106) 1m 58.83s, 2 P J O’Connor (Peugeot 206) 2m 00.82s, 3 Niamh Driver (Peugeot 106) 2m 09.81s.

Class 4: 1
Gerard O’Connell (Celica) 1m 59.77s.

Class 5: 1 Ed Walsh (Impreza) 1m 53.47s, 2 Barry Driver (Sunny) 2m 02.92s, 3 Gerard O’Connor (Impreza) 2m 04.91s.

Class 6: 1 Lionel Percy (Honda Blackbird) 1m 46.41s, 2 Mikie O’Connor (Suzuki Special) 1m 51.30s, 3 Declan O’Regan (Kawasaki Special) 1m 54.35s.

Class 7: 1 Whitby Moynan (Toyota Special) 1m 48.38s, 2 Nicky Hegarty (Mazda Special) 1m 58.60s.

Class 8: 1 Ian Horgan (Corsa) 1m 54.92s.

Class 10: 1 Sean Cahill (JB Buggy) 1m 45.49s, 2 Eoghain McMahon (Semog Buggy) 1m 48.55s, 3 Kevin O’Connor (Semog Buggy) 1m 50.69s.

13 December 2015 LOOSE SURFACE AUTOCROSS AT REARCROSS, CO TIPPERARY (ROUND OF BARRETT TRANSPORT MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP): Event Report
1 Christopher O'Callaghan (Semog Buggy) 1m 48.97s,
2 Brian Hassett (Semog Buggy) 1m 49.48s,
3 Ross Hayes (Semog Buggy) 1m 49.73s,
4 Peter Brennan (Semog Buggy) 1m 51.36s,
5 James Lucey (Subaru Special) 1m 52.19s,
6 Eoghain McMahon (Semog Buggy) 1m 55.28s.
Class winners: Eamonn McCarthy (Swift) 2m 01.23s, Lukasz Czapnik (Peugeot
206) 1m 59.90s, Ed Walsh (Impreza) 2m 01.86s, James Lucey, Brian Hassett,
Cian Robinson (Starlet) 2m 04.74s.

7 December 2014 Event Report

Overall winner: Padraig Egan (Buggy) 2m 00.54s.
Class winners: James Lehane (Civic) 2m 13.53s, Lukasz Czapnik (Peugeot 206) 2m 13.93s, Michael O'Sullivan (Escort) 2m 19.45s, Owen Murphy (Impreza) 2m 01.55s, Whitby Moynan (Mazda Special) 2m 06.15s, Peter Brennan (Buggy) 2m 08.57s.

17 August 2003
This event was won by G Lucey in a Celica special and held at Cullen, Co. Tipperary

7 November 1999
by Austin Shinnors from rally.ie

Held at Lynchs Quarry Kilfinny,Co.Limerick. Richard Percy arrived at the Limerick Autocross on a mission-he needed to finish at least fourth overall to clinch his first ever Jerry Murphy Tyres Munster Autocross Championship. In the event the Nenagh man took no chances and he lead the race from start to finish,in his Ford Special.Percys best time around the Kilfinny track was 2.23.65,and he clocked that time on his third of three runs.In second place was Mervyn Shorten from Croom driving a Ford Escort, four seconds adrift of the new champion.Escorts also filled the next three places with Walter Bourke (Galway) ahead of Dick Mc Carthy (Castleisland) and Mick Linehan (Cork).In sixth position was Gordon Percy in the Kawasaki Special,followed by a pair of Escorts driven by Matt Shinnors (Bruff) and Eamon Daly (Limerick).Finishing off the top ten was Ger Brennan (Killarney) in the Chevvy V8 and Joe Shinnors Snr. (Bruff) in another Escort.

Class winners:
Class 1 Joe Shinnors Jnr Bruff Opel Corsa
Class 2 Mervyn Shorten Croom Ford Escort
Class 3 Matt Shinnors Bruff Ford Escort
Class 4 Dick McCarthy Castleisland Ford Escort
Class 5 Gordon Percy Nenagh Kawasaki Special
Class 6 Ger Brennan Killarney Chevy Special. 
Best Limerick MC Member Austin Shinnors Bruff Opel Corsa
Best Novice James Lehane Knocknagree Honda Civic
Best Lady Breda Pigott Newmarket Lancia Delta

19 September 1999

by Austin Shinnors from rally.ie

Bruff driver Alan Shinnors was the surprise winner of the Limerick Autocross held at Lynchs Quarry, Kilfinny last Sunday. Shinnors who was driving a Ford Escort,clocked a time of six minutes and forty seven seconds on the first of two timed runs. Four seconds in arrears was his nearest challenger Gordon Percy, the 1998 Munster Autocross Champion. Percy from Cloughjordan was driving his Kawasaki special On the final run of four laps of the smooth but demanding track, Percy upped the ante as expected with time of six minutes and forty three seconds, despite suffering a broken driveshaft one hundred metres from the finish. It looked bleak for Shinnors as he set off in pursuit of the high revving Kawasaki. However a split time after two laps revealed he was two seconds ahead and he kept his cool to beat the Tipp man by four seconds.

Limerick drivers dominated the rest of the top six with Michael O Connor Snr. from Athea third in the Mazda 323 4X4 ahead of the Bruff trio-Matthew, Austin and Joseph Shinnors Jnr. The best Limerick Club member was Aidan Walsh, Kilcornan in a Ford Escort and the best novice was George Shinnors also from Bruff in an Opel Corsa.

1st O/A Alan Shinnors Ford Escort 1600cc 6m39s
2nd O/A Gordon Percy Kawasaki special 6m43s
3rd O/A Mike O'Connor Mazda 323 4x4 6m53s
4th O/A Matt Shinnors Ford Escort 1600cc 6m 58s
5th O/A Austin Shinnors Opel Corsa 1600cc 7m 10s
Class one 
1.Joe Shinnors Opel Corsa
2 Brian Farrell Ford Fiesta
3.Ed O Callaghan Ford Escort
Class two 
1.Austin Shinnors Opel Corsa
2.James Murphy Sunbeam
3.Roland Doherty Sunbeam
Class three
1. Matt Shinnors Ford Escort
2. Niall O Connel Peugeot 205
3. Greg Shinnors Ford Escort
Class four 
1. Mike O Connor Snr Mazda 323
2. Whitby Moynan Chevette V8
3. Mike O Connor Jnr Mazda 323
Class five 
1. Gordon Percy Kawasaki Special
Novice: George Shinnors Opel Corsa 1600cc 7m 28s

16 June 1996
This was a round of the national championship with 47 entries. Pat Dowling was CoC for the very sucessful event run on a hot Sunday afternoon. Club members results included Alan Shinnors first in class 3 and Jack Bennet 2nd in class 6

24 September 1995
This was the final round of the 1995 club championship. Liam Fitzgibbon won on the day and took the championship.

27 August 1995
Club member Liam Fitzgibbon provided the field for this grass surface event (the first the club had run on grass for a number of years). the event was won by Dick McCarthy

16 July 1995.
Despite the bad weather there were 21 entries for this event. Liam Fitzgibbon took first overall in his new Escort ahead of Mervyn Shorten and Alan Shinnors. Brigetta McAuliffe took the Best Lady award.

7 May 1995.
Held at  Lynch's Quarry Kilfinny.
Overall 1st Mervyn Shorten, Croom. 2nd Michael O'Connor, Athea. 3rd Fergal O'Meara, Killorglin.
Class 1 1st Derek Noonan, Charleville. 2nd Liam Fitzgibbon, Croagh. 3rd Jack Bennett, Ardagh
Class 2 1st Mick Nevin, Tullamore. 2nd Mike O'Sullivan, Charleville 3rd Christy Casey, Clare
Class 3 1st Gerard O'Shea, Kilfinny. 2nd Alan Shinnors, Grange, Austin Shinnors, Grange.
Ladies Award Bernie Dowling, Newcastle West
Best LMC competitor Niall Shorten, Croagh

6 November 1994
The club newsletter thanked the Lynch family for the use of their quarry at Kilfinny. It also said that despite the aweful weather, the event was a great success with 29 competitors taking part and that it was also great to see so many club members assisting in the running of the event on the day and helping to set out the course the previous day.
Overall 1st Liam Fitzgibbon, 2nd John O'Sullivan, 3rd Mervyn Shorten 
Class 1 1st Jack Bennett, 2nd Derek Noonan, 3rd Mike Aherne
Class 2 1st P Looney, 2nd E O'Callaghan, 3rd Niall Shorten
Class 3 1st Ger O'Shea, 2nd Mike Walsh, 3rd M Hansbury
Class 41st D Lucey, 2nd George Drew
Novice Award Dave Guerin
Ladies Award Bernie Dowling

24 June 1984
Peter Whyte from the Naul, Co. Dublin in his Ford Special won this Castrol Championship round from a field of 49. The event was held at Meelick, the tight nature of the course led to seven cars rolling.

19 June 1983
Peter Whyte took the win after Billt Cavanagh high a pylon on his quickest run at Pallaskenry. Cavanagh finished third after a 5 second penalty was applied. Con Linehan was second.

15 August 1982
Limerick Motor Club's autocross near Cratloe was the sixth round of the Duckhams Munster Autocross championship.
Results: Best time of the day P Horan (Grant Hydrogate Spl) 1m 54.9s
Class 1 1 D Carroll (Imp) 2m 01.9s 2 J Dowling (Mini) 2m 04.4s 3 J Walsh (Mini) 2m 10.6s
Class 2 1 B Sparling (Mini) 2m 03.2s 2 J Dowling (Mini) C Moynan (Mini) 2m 04.7s 3 J O'Callaghan (Mini) 2m 11.0s
Class 3 1 G Barrett (Escort) 2m 05.4s 2 J Bennett (Escort) 2m 07s 3 P Flynn (Escort) 2m 11.3s 3
Class 4 1 L Fitzgibbon (Escort) 2m 03.2s 2 D Moynan (Escort) 2m 05.1s 3 M O'Connor (Escort) 2m 05.6s
Class 5 1 T O'Brien (Ford Spl) 2 J Ryan (VW Spl)
Class 6 1 C Limehan (Rover Spl) 1m55s 2 J Lucey (rover Spl) 1m 56.3s 3 W Cavanagh (Rover Spl) 1m 57.3s
Class 7 Miss A Carroll (Imp) 2m 13.3s 2 Mrs S Dowling (Mini) 2m 14.4s
Novice Award F Madden (Rover Spl) 1m 58.9s

16 August 1981
Pat Horan Extended his  lead in the Duckhams Munster autocross championship with another win in the Limerick Motor Club event at Caherdavin. His Grant Hydrogate Special finished a secoond quicker than the Rover V8 Special of Billy Cavanagh, with Chris Culleton in third place in another Rover Special
Results: Best time of the day P Horan (Grant Hydrograte Special) 2m 03.5s
Class 1 1 D carroll (Imp) 2m 11.5s 2 R Farmer (Mini) 2m 12s 3 J Dowling (Mini) 2m 14.2s
Class 2 1 N McCarthy (Cooper s) 2m 09.6s 2 M Hyland (Marcos) 2m 14s 3 B Sparling (Fiat 127 Sport) 2m 18.3s
Class 3 1 J Bennett (Escort) 2m 13.9s 2 J Conroy (Midget) 2m 17.6s 3 Jim Cullleton (Escort) 2m 17.7s
Class 4 1 S Hawkins (Escort TC) 2 M Canty (Escort) 3 P Culleton (Kadett)
Class 6 1 W Cavenagh (Rover Spl) 2m 04.4s 2 C Culleton (Rover Spl) 2m 05.3s 3 P O'Sulleabhain (Ford Spl) 2m 07.7s
Ladies 1 S Dowling (Mini) 2m 16.1s 2 B Culleton (Escort) 2m 24s

19 August 1979
Autocross at Doonass previewed in Limerick Leader. Mr Liam Howard PRO for the club said "that there was a revival of interest in autocross in the region and that they were expecting a big crowd.

15 July 1979
Autocross at Newcastle West won by Billy Cavanagh Report and full results

20 August 1978
The eight round of the Duckhams autocross Championship at Clonlara adjacent to the famous Falls of Doonass. Regulations were available from Mary Canny.

16 July 1978

The sixth round of the Castrol Autocross championship was held near Newcastle West. Billy Cavanagh  from Cloughjordan won in his Rover V8 Special from Tim Turner and John Farrelll. The event was run over a fast dry track and had 45 starters

17 July 1977

Gordon Percy from Cloughjordan driving his Rover V8 powered Vampire Special was the winner . There were 40 drivers at the Newcastle West venue.

14 March 1976
Held at Messrs Roadstone Ltd's sandpit, Bridgetown, Co Clare. Inclement weather resulted in the road surface becoming loose for the over 30 competitors.  Team Drewspeedhad two cars competing, both sponsored by Castlemahon Poultry Products Ltd. they were George Drew in the BLMC Mini 1293cc finishing third in class and Bernard Supple in the 850cc Mini coming 5th in his class. Bernard's car was the least powerful in the event and his result was very credible indeed.
Fastest time of the day Gordon PPercy, Vampire 3500cc Special 6m 27.81s
Class 1 1st B Hickey, Riley Elf 2nd E Colton, Riley Elf  3rd S Wall, Mini 998
Class 2 1stF O'Mahoney, Mini 1293 2nd M Duggan, Minor 1293 3rd G Drew Mini 1293
Class 3 1st T Slattery , Cortina 1530 2nd G Browne, Avenger 1600 3rd F Hogan VW 1300s
Class 4 1st W Percy, Vampire 3500 2nd R Murphy, Escort 1900 3rd D Keating Escort 1900

?? July 1975

Autocross at Mr Heffernan's field Rathkeale Road.   
Class I 1 Dermot Carnegie 2 Frank Lennon 3 Sean Fitzgibbon    
Class II 1 Mark Slavin 2 Michael Naughton 3 Denis McCarthy    
Class III 1 Sam Hawkins 2 Willie Kavanagh 3 Ken Kavanagh    
Class IV 1 Joe Synam 2 Dominic Kelly 3 Jimmy Moloney    
Class V 1 Larry Mooney 2 David Yeats 3 No Prize    
Class VI 1st and best Limerick Motor club member Jackie Thomas 2 William Percy 3 Thomas Fogarty    
Class VII 1 Stan Williams 2 Gordon Lennox 3 Sean Hartigan    
Best Novice Sean Hynes    
Best Overall winner Gordon Percy    
At a function at the River Room afterwards the prizes were presented by Mr E O'Dwyer and Mr John Hickey on behalf of the [Ten Knights of Desmond, Newcastle West, festival] committee. Mr John Leonard and Mr Brian Sparling paid tribute to the following: time  keepers Ivor Green, Trevor Hughes, George Drew and Kathleen Hodgins.    
Results Compilors John Leonard,Hugh Fennell and Denis Hogan. Scrutineer James Doherty. Clerk of Course Brian Sparling 

24 July 1974

Jacky Thomas won the Castrol championship round at Smithfield, Adare. Mt Tony Meighan was one of the organisors

8 August 1971 Winner Bob Bradley Galway STP Special

25 August 1968 Grass surface autocross in aid of Ardagh/Carrickerry Building fun admission 2/6 Children 6d. The course was fast but rough with a good finishing straight enabling competitors to reach third gear on occasions.   
Fastest Time of the Day D Fitzgerald Mini Cooper S "Roly Poly" 2-18   
Ladies Prize Valerie Fitzgerald Mini Cooper 2-27   
Class A 850-1275cc 1 Brian Cullen Mini Cooper 2-24 2 James Doherty Mini Cooper 2-26 3 Ivan Greene Mini Cooper 2-27   
Class B C Over 1275cc 1 D Burke Singer Vogue 2-42 2 S Moran Cortina 1600 2-44 3 S Jones Prinz 1000 2-45   
Class D over 1275cc 1 Geoffrey Pieters Cortina GT 2-33 2 Frank Jones Cortina GT 2-37 3 B Suttle Willment Cortina 2-41   

Another report in a Kerry newspaper gives Damien Fitzgerald from Cork as winner with Ray Kelliher from Tralee second in a Cooper S.

14 August 1966

Even with 55 entries the event at Adare was a close battle between Larry Mooney Dublin  (VW 1600cc) and Conor Linehan Galway (Mini Cooper S 1275cc). At the end of three timed runs Linehan won by a fifth of a second. Steve Moran from Shannon was third. The  event was run on a grass surface, off the Askeaton Road, Adare in aid of Limerick Handicapped Children.

1965

Limerick Motor Club had a new course at Plassey House, Castletroy. Laid out with several switchbacks, the course which was 4 laps of a 0.75mile circuit became muddy due to the weather.   
1. Larry Mooney 1500 Beetle 5m 17s   
2. Tom Burke 1500 Beetle 5m 50.5s

3 September 1961 Held at Adare on a course made available by Lord Adare  with proceeds in aid of the Limerick Branch of the Polio Fellowship   
Fastest Time of the Day Paul O'Flynn VW   
Class A 1 P O'Flynn VW 2 G H Garry Scotland VW 3 P O'Callaghan VW   
Class B 1 D W (Don) Gray NSU 2 Bian Cullen NSU 3 T Burke NSU   
Class C  1 M J Moloney Sprite 2 D Kearns MG
Class D 1 G Percy Special  2   S V (Val) Baker Ford Special 3 W Percy Special
Class E 1 M F  (Mick) Sheehy Supercharged Dellow 2 Denis Hogan Austin 3 M Lynch VW   
Ladies Class 1 Mrs S N (Claire) Fitzgerald Supercharged Dellow 2 Mrs M Jones VW 3 Mrs D W (Peggy) Gray NSU   

4 September 1960 The event was held on a grass surface at Daly's Cross, Castleconnell. The course had to be shortened due to bad ground conditions. Up to 400 drivers from all parts of the country competed.
Fasted Time of the Day Des Bradley Dublin Dellow Special and also won the overall handicap
Saloon Class under 1000cc
1. J S Moore Austin 7 2m 34.6s
2. Don Grey NSU 2m 38.2sr
3. M Archer Dublin NSU 
Saloon Class  over 1000cc
1. C A Gunn Dublin Supercharged VW 2m 35.6s
2 P O'Callaghan Carrick On Suir VW
3 J O'Mahoney Cork VW
Open Class
1. D Bradley Dellow 2m 33,0s
2. Gordan Percy Ford Special "Thing" 2m 38.1s
3. Mrs Claire Fitzgerald LimerickSupercharged Dellow 2m 40.8s
Ladies Class
1. Mrs Claire Fitzgerald Limerick Supercharged Dellow
2. Miss R Smith Dublin Austin Seven
3. Mrs F Bigger Dublin Herald Triumph
Other Limerick Club drivers Joe Garry, Alan Holliday 

1950 The club ran grass track events at St. Munchin's college sports field

1998 Circuit of Munster

The 1998 Circuit of Munster was based at the Woodlands House Hotel Adare and used stages in West Limerick. The Shauntrade stage was used for Stages 1,4,7  it was 7 miles in lenght.The stage started nead Croagh and finished just before the N69 near Kilcornan.  The Beigh Castle stage started near Kildimo and finished near the castle at Ballysteen, stages 2,5,8 were here. The remaining stages 3,6,9 used a stage that started at Barrigone and headed for Coolcappa. the Beigh Castle and Barrigone stages were both 12miles.

 All competitors got 8 stages, stage 3 was lost to most competitors after an incident with one of the top seeds.

Video at Streetfire.net Photos at CRSpics

The event was won bt Michael Barrable/Joe Downey in a Toyota Celica.

Some esults of club members
Pat Mulcahy and Richard O'Mahony Suzuki 1st class 1
Oliver O'Donovan and conor Bruton Escort F2 1st class 7
Dan and Con Mulcahy Sunbeam 1st in class 10
Patrick Mullane and John Hogan Escort 1st in class 11
Edward Synan and Kieran Cusack Manta 1st in class 12
Con Ward and Paul Nagle won class H in a Mini Cooper
Best Ladies Bernie and Stacia Dowling in a Corsa
Best club crew (not in receit of another award) Ken Lyons and Paddy McDonnell in an Escort Cosworth
82 crews finished the event. Bill Fitzgerard was Clerk of the Course