Hi All,
As chairman of Wexford motor club, and also as chairman of the national hillclimb and sprint committee, I welcome all to rounds 5 & 6 of the national hillclimb and sprint championship. With the first four rounds having taken place in the west of the country, the championship heads to the east of the country for the first time. It will also see the first ever running of the hill in Duncannon, which will be used on Saturday. The club has being looking at this hill for the last few years and finally this year, all has fallen into place to allow us to use this hill. It is a spectacular flowing hill, with scenic views as a backdrop, looking out over the Barrow estuary with the Waterford coast in the background.
Sunday’s hill will be the tried and trusted Poulfur Hill. It is also only 8km from the hill in Duncannon and will be very easy for visiting competitors and spectators to base themselves in the one place to be close to both days action. Both hills will be of 1.5km in length and clerk of the course for the weekend, Tommy Murphy, is planning to have a minimum of one practice run and three timed runs on both days, and if time allows, a further timed run will be added. The format of the day will see the fastest run by each competitor being counted, this allows for a bad run not dragging their time down and also will allow for whatever weather changes happen on the day.
The champion for the last three years, Limerick man Paul O’Connell, will be trying to keep his challenge going to make it four in a row, but will face stiff competition on the day from those trying to steal his crown. Saturday’s action will finish at about 5pm with the presentations that evening in the Fort Conan Hotel in Duncannon at 7pm, with Sunday’s activities finishing at about 4.30pm and the presentation at 6pm in Neville’s Bar in Fethard on Sea.
Looking forward to seeing competitors and spectators alike for this high octane event.
Eugene French
Chairman
Wexford Motor Club