Montpelier to host Birr & District Motor Club Autocross Championships finale
Sunday, 10th November, Birr & District Motor Club simultaneously host the final round of both the Tallybrooke Civil Engineering Ltd National Loose Surface Autocross Championship and the CJN Plant Ltd. & Barrett International Transport Munster Autocross Championship.
Hail, rain or shine, the Autocross action has been intense throughout the year as competitors have travelled the country to gain valuable Championship points.
On Sunday, 10th November, Birr & District Motor Club simultaneously host the final round of both the Tallybrooke Civil Engineering Ltd National Loose Surface Autocross Championship and the CJN Plant Ltd. & Barrett International Transport Munster Autocross Championship.
Such has been the calibre of the competition in both the National and the Munster Championship, it comes down to the final round to decide the majority of the 2024 titles.
Taking up the mantle of Clerk of the Course for the first time is Birr & District Motor Club Secretary, Noelle Horan. Noelle is no stranger to Autocross as she has officiated at several Autocross events and her father, Pat Horan is a multiple Autocross champion.
Befitting a Championship finale, Noelle and her team have a fantastic event planned. Last year’s venue of Dereen Sand & Gravel Ltd. at O’Brien’s Bridge, Montpelier (by the permission of Paddy Kelly) will again host the Clubs Loose Surface Autocross. However, in a change to last year, two competitors will be out on the track at a time.
The points tables show just how tight the competition has been this year. In the Overall 4WD Saloons, Mike O'Connor Snr. is set to be crowned a double champion of the National and Munster with his Mitsubishi Evo. Matt Shinnors and Austin Shinnors are battling it out for the 4WD class honours, with Matt having the edge on Austin going into the final round in both championships.
In the Overall Buggies & Specials, it's a three-horse-race between Cathal Mulcaire, Ray Hassett, and James O'Keeffe in both Championships. However, in the Munster standings, a drop score will come into play. Both Cathal and Ray did not contest the Birr (Grass) event, but James has competed at all the rounds so far, so it'll be time to break out the calculators once the final results are in!
In the 2WD Saloons, the Overall National is led by George Shinnors from Patricia Denning. Third is Declan Burke just ahead of Padraig Forde in their shared BMW Compact.
The current Munster standings has Patricia Denning lead from Pat Horan, where the dropped score will have an influence here as Pat has three wins to Patricia's two. Currently, to drop their worst score would mean Pat leading by four points heading into the final round! It'll be the edge of your seat viewing to see who clinches the 2WD Saloon titles!
The Junior classes have seen a huge surge in popularity. Class 8 is sewn up by Jake Lynch in both championships, and in Class 9, Anthony Dineen has also got the double.
The J1000 class for 13 to 16 year olds has seen a strong entry all year, with some drivers recently taking part in Rallysprints and are also set to take on the National Forestry Rally Championship next year. As the season progressed, it has been fantastic to see the confidence and experience grow in these competitors.
Currently leading the J1000s is Mikey O'Connor Jnr., and he has the national title in his grasp. However, in the Munster, Finn Gardiner Hynes is only one point behind and with neither having competed at the Skibbereen event, it all comes down to the final round.
Further information, along with the current points tables can be found on the Club website (www.birrmotorclub.com) and on the Club Social Media pages (Facebook, Instagram, X).