Fifteen years old Noel Murphy from Shrule Co. Mayo was recently awarded the Keegan Cup. The cup is for drivers aged between 14-16 who take part in the National Autocross Championship. He began 2009 at the wheel of a Honda Civic while his new Nissan Micra was being built. It all took off in March with the first round of the National Autocross Championship in Birr. This was a baptism of fire for the young man as he won his class by a comfortable margin. “Start as you mean to continue”, as they say, and this is what he did, winning the second round at the Cork Autocross and finishing an incredible 15th overall in his 1.4 litre Honda.
August saw him tackle the Midlands autocross two day event which was his favourite track of the year. He debuted his new 1.2 litre Nissan Micra on this round. Noel found it difficult to get used to the difference in power between his new and old car. This didn’t stop him claiming a credible second in class on the Saturday and a third in class on the Sunday. This fine run of podium places netted the young man the Keegan Cup. Noel was sponsored by West tyre and Colm King Mini over the season.
Ryan continues to develop
Eighteen year old Justin Ryan, who is a member of Mayo and District Motor Club from Headford, drove superbly to finish the Junior section of the Galway International Rally in a credible eighth overall. Justin, who had never competed in a rally before took to it like a duck to water. It was an early start on Sunday morning for Justin and father John, who was navigating in their blue Honda Civic. Justin's next rally will be his home event, the Mayo Stages Rally 2010. This year’s event is based in Claremorris and will take place on March 14.
Road Safety Interactive Shuttle visits Mayo Stages Rally
Thinking of learning to drive? Never ridden a motorbike? Think you could react quickly in an emergency? Never taken the Driver Theory Test but secretly wondered how you’d score? Well, the opportunity to conquer these and more is available under one roof during the weekend of March 12-14 when the Road Safety Interactive Shuttle visits Claremorris during the town's hosting of the Mayo Stages Rally.
In association with Fleet Transport magazine, the Road Safety Authority (RSA ) state-of-the-art mobile road safety demonstration unit is packed with computerised technology including simulators and multimedia experiences. The Road Safety Interactive Shuttle will play an integral role in increasing and developing road safety awareness at local and national level. The Shuttle has been fitted out and designed to the highest standard.
