Birr & District Motor Club 
Archive 2023
Turkey Chaser Autotest Results - Sun 31st Dec 2023
Below are the results of the Turkey Chaser Autotest and a thank you letter from the Clerk of the Course saying a big thank you to all Officials, Competitors and everyone that that helped make the day such a success.
 Thanks from Clerk |
 Results (Online) |
Results (PDF) |
 Photos from Pee-Speed |
Turkey Chaser Autotest - Sun 31st Dec 2023
 Regs |
 Entry Form (docx) |
Entry Form (pdf) |
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 Entries |
Results |
 Test Diagrams |
Details
COC Kevin Maher has a fun day planned for December 31st at Garahys Truck Garage, Birr (R42N277).
Tests will be easy on the brain and straightforward. Great fun and hospitality assured
All drivers must have a valid Competition Licence or 1 Event Licence which are available for this Autotest. NO IRDS is required.
Please note: 1 Event Licences must be pre-booked in advance.
Schedule
Sign on: 8.45am
Drivers Briefing: 10:00AM
Start: 10.15AM
Clerk of the Course: Kevin Maher
Commemoration of John Finnegan
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| Images courtesy of Adrian Crawley | |||
On the 25th November 2023, Birr & District Motor Club, along with family and friends of the late John Finnegan gathered in Ballyhourigan Woods where John tragically lost his life while competing as a Navigator on the Birr Forestry Rally Stages and where his family had erected a memorial plaque to him all those years ago.
Our Chairman, David Forde addressed those gathered from near and far, together with John’s Mother, Brothers and family members to remember the untimely loss of John. He said
Today is tinged with sadness, but at the same time a happy day that 30 years later, John is still being remembered. That’s a great sign of anybody and our Club has always remembered John. We’d like to mark this occasion being the 30 years and that the Birr Club, Finnegan Cup is a very much coveted prize in our Club. The fact that you’ve to work hard to compete every year for somebody to bring it home and I know the present holder and club member James Lowry tried hard a couple of years before he actually finally got it. James is here today with the Finnegan Cup for all to see. You’re all very welcome here today and it’s great to see such a turnout.
Numerous messages were received by our club members over recent weeks from our motorsport family across Ireland of well-wishers for the occasion and with sadness due to other commitments were unable to attend. Birr Club members Podge Newe along with John Tynan had worked for some time on the planning of the day. Podge addressed those gathered.
To reiterate what Davey said, welcome and welcome to John’s family. Looking around, it’s a great turnout. It’s a pity it takes something like this for us all to come together and trade old stories. Firstly, John in the motorsport community, John was a Marshal, John was a fellow competitor and most importantly John was a friend. We are here today to mark the occasion, it’s nice to say to remember him but if the truth be told, a lot of people here have never forgotten him. Anyone who met him or who had dealings with him back when he was competing then, he was the ultimate gentlemen. Back then in ‘94, a year after his passing with the family’s blessing we instigated the Finnegan Cup and I say he’s looking down on us now and he’s bursting with pride when you look at some of the people whose names are on the Cup. Mark Murphy went on to win it twice, and won 2 forestry championships. Greg Shinnors went on to be a British Rally Champion, he won it a few times. Paul Nagle won it, he went on to compete in the World Championship, won 4 or 5 rounds of the World Championship. One of the other names on it was a YouTube sensation during the week, Micky Joe Morrissey, self-confessed that he competed on 1000 rallies and I was talking to him during the week and he said that he remembered winning it with John McCarthy in 2006 and he went on to win the Championship that year as well. When the Finnegan Cup moved over to Club members competing and the club taking a break from running a forestry event the Cup was reassigned to tarmac and it is still highly coveted as our chairman Davy Forde said and there is healthy rivalry for the Cup.
John Finnegan’s brother Aidan addressed those present.
On behalf of my Mum, I really like to thank you for all coming here today. It’s only now I actually realised what he meant to all of you guys in his time in rallying.
Following Aidan their mother Ann Finnegan said
Thank you all so much for coming to remember John.
John’s brother Ronan Finnegan said
Just to add when we erected the plaque, the whole idea behind it was that John would not be forgotten. There was no need whatsoever to worry looking at you all here today.
John’s mother Ann with family laid a wreath and Birr Club member James Lowry as the current holder of the Finnegan Cup, laid a wreath on behalf of the Club.
Aidan Finnegan concluded
I’d like to thank the Birr Club itself for all the effort you’ve done to organise this and I was talking to John Tynan and he mentioned those who were involved in it. Our family thanks you all very much for all the effort in organising today.
All adjourned to Andys Gastro Pub, Nenagh for a meal and chat which was enjoyed by all till late evening.
Commemoration of John Finnegan
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 Memorial Plaque |
On Saturday, 25th November, at 12:30pm we at Birr & District Motor Club will be gathering at the memorial plaque in Ballyhourigan Woods to commemorate the late John Finnegan who at the age of 25 tragically lost his life competing at our round of the Irish National Forestry Rally Championship in 1993.
John, an electrical technician hailed from Nobber, Co. Meath. He was an accomplished Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann musician and a well-known and respected Co-Driver on the Forestry Rally Stages throughout the country.
On the 28th November 1993, at our Nenagh Lodge Hotel Birr Forestry Rally Stages, John was navigating for Pat Norris in a Ford Sierra RS Cosworth. Unfortunately, on SS2, they left the road and tragically John succumbed to his injuries.
The following year, the Club honoured John's memory by creating the John Finnegan Memorial Trophy to be awarded to the first placed Navigator registered for the National Forestry Rally Championship. The inaugural winner was Mark Murphy. Currently, the Trophy is awarded to the highest placed Birr and District Motor Club Co-Driver in the Birr Stages Rally.
At our commemoration on Saturday, 25th November at 12:30pm, the current holder of the John Finnegan Memorial Trophy, James Lowry along with John's family and friends will lay a wreath in memory of John.
All are welcome to attend.
Birr Loose Surface Autocross Results - 5th November 2023
Below are the results of the Birr Loose Surface Autocross and a thank you letter from the Clerk of the Course saying a big thank you to all Officials, Competitors and everyone that that helped make the day such a success.
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Thanks from Clerk |
Results (Online) |
Results (PDF) |
Birr Loose Surface Autocross - 5th November 2023
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Regs/Entry (pdf) |
Regs/Entry (docx) |
Licence Check |
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Final Instructions 1 |
Final Instructions 2 |
Final Instructions 3 |
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Entries |
Results (Online) |
Results (PDF) |
Details:
It's almost here! Our Loose Surface Autocross will be held on Sunday 5th November 2023. The Venue will be Dereen Sand and Gravel, O'Brien's Bridge, Montpelier, Co. Limerick.
- Counting Round of the CKH Environmental National Loose Surface Autocross Championship
- Counting Round of the CJN Plant & Eamonn Barrett Transport Munster Autocross Championship
Date: Sunday 5th November 2023.
Venue: Dereen Sand and Gravel, O'Brien's Bridge, Montpelier, Co. Limerick
Scrutiny: 8:30 AM
Marshals Briefing: 9:30 AM
Drivers Briefing: 9:45 AM
Practice: 10:00 AM
1st Timed Run: 10:30 AM
Clerk of Course: Pat Gubbins
Mark your diary and view the Regulations above!
Birr Endurance Results - 1st October 2023
Below are the results of the Birr Endurance and a thank you letter from the Clerk of the Course saying a big thank you to all Officials, Competitors and everyone that that helped make the day such a success.
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Thanks from Clerk |
Results from shannonsportsit.ie (Angus Sealy) |
Results (PDF) |
Photos from Pee-Speed |
Birr Endurance Trial - Sun 1st October 2023
Regs/Entry Form
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Regs (pdf) |
Regs (docx) |
Press Release 1 |
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Final Instructions 1 |
Final Instructions 2 |
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Seeded Entry list |
Results from shannonsportsit.ie (Angus Sealy) |
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Details:
The Birr & District Motor Club Endurance Trial is taking place on Sunday 1st October 2023.
H.Q for the Endurance Trial is in Ballingarry, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. Scrutiny/Documentation is from 7:30am with Start @10.00am and the first car finishes around 5:30pm.
HQ: Community Centre, Ballingarry, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.
Sign on: 07:30 to 9.15am
Drivers Briefing 09:30
Start Time: 10.00
Finish Time: 17:30 Approx First Car Finishes.
Prize giving: 18:45
Clerk of the Course is Bill Ryan.
Birr Grass Surface Autocross Results - 3rd September 2023
Below are the results of the Birr Grass Autocross and a thank you letter from the Clerk of the Course saying a big thank you to all Officials, Competitors and everyone that that helped make the day such a success.
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Thanks from Clerk |
Results (Online) |
Results (PDF) |
Birr Grass Surface Autocross - 3rd September 2023
 Final Instructions No 1 |
Regs/Entry (pdf) |
Regs/Entry (docx) |
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Final Instructions No 2 |
Entries |
Live Results |
COC Davy Percy and his team are finalising the details for our Grass Autocross to run on Sunday, 3rd September 2023
This will be a round of the Shannon Trophies National Grass Autocross Championship.
Please note, the Midget Racing Car Club of Ireland will not be running their event as scheduled on the 3rd September. We offer our condolences to the Midget Racing Car Club of Ireland on the recent bereavement within their community.
Mark your diary and view the Regulations above!
Results and Solution for Tom O'Reilly Memorial Car Treasure Hunt
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Results |
Report from Clerk |
 Solutions |
Monday evening last in Dooly's Hotel, Birr was the base for the annual Vintage Week Tom O'Reilly Memorial Car Treasure Hunt organised by the Birr & District Motor Club.
A whooping entry 97 Cars took part on a route through Birr, Rath and finishing at Killyon. Clues were entertaining & challenging. Birr's John (Junior) O'Callaghan & Martin Errity emerged popular joint winners on 565 Marks, Runner Up went to Juniors Daughter Aoife and the Bunclody Ramblers on 560 Marks, Joint 3rd Overall went to Birr's Jessica Fitzgerald & Susan Molloy.
The Birr & District Motor would to thank the residents along the route for there patience and understanding along with Eithne, Hanna & Ciaran Garahy, Teresa Moore, Michael Parkinson, Eoin Longworth, Una O'Brien, Pat Horan, Stephen Carway, TJ O'Brien, Colette Kelleher, David Forde, Susan Smyth and Declan Burke for their assistance.
The Birr & District Motor Club Car Treasure Hunt has been part of the Birr Vintage & Arts Festival since its inception in 1968.
Tom O'Reilly Memorial Car Treasure Hunt - Monday 7th August
The Birr & District Motor Club Tom O'Reilly Memorial Annual Car Treasure Hunt will take on Monday 7th August 2023.
A fun filled evening for all the family is assured whilst finding and solving the clues along a Route which will prove both Challenging & Entertaining to all the participants.
The Car Treasure Hunt is running in conjunction with the Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival.
See more details on the Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival by clicking here
Birr Summer Autotest Results - 16th July 2023
Below are the results of the Birr Summer Autotest and a thank you letter from the Clerk of the Course saying a big thank you to all Officials, Competitors and everyone that that helped make the day such a success.
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Thanks from Clerk |
Results |
Summer AutoTest - 16th July 2023
Regs/Entry Form/Information
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Regs |
Entry Form (pdf) |
Entry Form (doc) |
Message from Clerk |
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Entries |
 Diagrams |
Results |
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Details
Why not join us in Garahys, Birr for our fun filled Summer Autotest on the 16th July 2023 . Tests will be Simple, easy to remember and will be suitable for Multi Venue, Endurance, Retro and Road Cars.
- Venue: Garahys Truck Garage, Birr (R42N277).
- Great days driving and fun assured.
- Simple Open Tests on Mixed Surfaces (Loose & Sealed) = Maximum Enjoyment.
- Suitable for Road, Multi Venue & Endurance Cars.
- One day event licences available on request.
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Tests will be suitable for all cars, with 2 Overall Awards consisting of:
- Road Going Class for Endurance, Retro, Multi Venue
- Autotest and Specials (Sealed Surface only with extra runs)
Clerk of the Course: Stephen Carway
Sign-on: 10.15am with Start @11.30am
AutoTest Weekend Results - 22nd/23rd April 2023
Below are the results of the Birr 2 Day Autotest and a thank you letter from the Clerk of the Course saying a big thank you to all Officials, Competitors and everyone that that helped make the day such a success.
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Saturday Results |
Thanks from Clerk |
Sunday Results |
AutoTest Weekend - 22nd/23rd April 2023
Regs/Entry Form/Information
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Regs |
Entry (pdf) |
Entry (doc) |
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Press Release |
Final Instructions |
Thanks from Clerk |
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Saturday Diagrams |
Saturday Entries |
Saturday Results |
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Sunday Diagrams |
Sunday Entries |
Sunday Results |
Details
Why not join us in Road Master, Johnstown for our fun filled Autotest Weekend on the 22nd/23rd April 2023 . Tests will be Simple, easy to remember and will be suitable for Multi Venue, Endurance, Retro and Road Cars. Tests will be on sealed surfaces. This year is also rounds 4 & 5 of the Partsworld Munster Autotest Championship.
- Venue: Road Master, Johnstown, Urlingford, E41 TD40 (near M8, Junction 4)
- Great weekends driving and fun assured.
- Round 4 & 5 of the Partsworld Munster Autotest Championship.
- Suitable for Road, Multi Venue & Endurance Cars.
- Accommodation is available nearby, contact Eoin Longworth (086 8179297) for details.
Clerk of the Course: Ger Conroy
Saturday Sign-on: 2.00pm with Start @3.30pm
Sunday Sign-on: 10.00am with Start @11.00am