Irish Rallycross Championship Awards Night

Derek Tohill with the National Rallycross Trophy which he won for the ninth time.

The PartsforCars.ie Irish Rallycross Championship awards took place at Lawlors Hotel in Naas, Co. Kildare on Saturday night. It was a chance for drivers to catch up, see who has changed cars or class and go over the previous season. Rallycross is on the up again after a lull of a few years with increasing numbers in all classes especially in the junior class which is most important for the sport. It was a very rewarding night for the Tallaght and Terenure fraternity taking a large haul of silverware home. Father and son pairing and series sponsors Derek and George Tohill from Terenure, and the Coyne brothers Michael and Willie from Tallaght. 

These four men have given so much to the sport over the last 35 years and all have lost none of the hunger a motivation to give up anytime soon. Michael Coyne unveiled his new Citroen DS3 which he will use to compete in the modified class this season. Speaking ahead of the presentations he explained his reason for the new car, " well I had a major surgery during the year and while I was in hospital I seen enough to make me think why not bite the bullet and buy the car. Life is too short so I bought the Citroen and cant wait to get out in it in a couple of weeks." It will be interesting to see how he fair against his brother Willie who will once again be out in his trusty Opel Corsa and was this years winner of the modiifed championship ahead of Michael. He also took runner up spot overall in the National Rallycross Championship. 

Drew Furlong presents George Tohill with his trophy at the IRX awards

Drew Furlong presents Michael Coyne with his trophy at the IRX awards

George Tohill, left, Michael Coyne, centre, and Willie Coyne, right, with his trophy at the IRX awards

Drew Furlong presents Willie Coyne with his trophy at the IRX awards

The Tohill father and son team who are synonymous with rallycross in Ireland and the UK, had a great night with George taking fourth in the modified championship and Derek doing the double in winning the Supercar and the National  championships. It has been a busy year and it is not over yet for the record breaking nine time champion as he will be doing the next British Championship round which is being held in Mondello on the 4th and 5th of October and a round of the French championship before the years end. Both men giving the audience on the night great entertainment while being interviewed by host Leo Nulty,  when Derek mimicked his father when explaining about the moment he had realised he was on the wrong size wheels for the last 30 years!

Top: onlookers inspect the new car joining the grid next season.
Centre: Michael Coyne in his new Citroen which he will use in the modified class this year.
Bottom: the new Citroen DS3 on display at the IRX awards

With the first round of the Irish championship only a few weeks away and with it also being a round of the British championship where he will again be competing in his new Peugeot, he will be out to take that title too. Derek recapped on his year and his reason for changing to a new car and his new hunger for the sport. 

Top: George Tohill in action in his BMW.
Centre: Michael Coyne in action in his Vauxhall Nova
Bottom: Derek Tohill in action in his Ford Fiesta

"It is nice to get another championship and the last one with the Fiesta which owes me nothing at this stage. It has been an incredible car to me nine years and nine championships and it rarely let me down. It was coming to the point where there was never a chance to give her a full nut and bolt rebuild as we were competing here and the UK and europe too at times. That meant the reliability wasn't going to continue, so it was either take a year out and do that or change car. I felt if I took a year out I might get comfortable supporting other drivers and not come back. So we bought the Peugeot and they say a change is as good as a rest and it has given me a whole new hunger and lease of life for the sport. There is loads more to come with that car where we are looking to do the French and maybe the European championship. I am still in the title for the British but lost a load of points last time out in Pembrey when we got taken out but we will out to give it a go in Mondello".

Derek Tohill in action in his Peugeot 208

Derek Tohill in action in his Peugeot 208

The Junior class saw Logan Hoey claim the title once again to add to his ICCR success this year and he will be one to watch in the future and it will be interesting to see how he progresses in the sport. He was followed by Cody Mahon and Alex Conlon but the women are on their way lads and Ailish Sexton and Leah McManus got quicker as the season went on and werent that far behind the top three as the season closed.

Top: Drew Furlong presents Logan Hoey with his trophy at the IRX awards
Centre: Logan Hoe being interviewed by Leo Nulty at the IRX awards
Bottom: The top six in the IRX Junior Rallycross Championship

In the rallycar class Niall Carey took the honors from Thomas O'Rafferty and Peter Quigley and for next season Carey announced he will be moving up to the modified class and promising to challenge the Coyne brothers in the process. Abbie McGunniess took the honors in the Clubman modified class. A great achievement for English girl who travels across for each round. Sadly the large Buggy class wasn't represented on the night but Conor McCarthy took the championship from Liam McMullen and Darach Duffin

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Top: Abbie McGuinness, Mini, leads Stanley Bovill, Ford Escort, during the Open Clubman race.
Centre: Abbie McGuinness with her trophies at the IRX awards.
Bottom: Drew Furlong presents Willie Coyne with his trophy at the IRX awards

So with the new season only a couple of weeks away it looks like it will be even more competitive. For more information on events go to www.IRX.ie where you will find out all the information on the series and dates.