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Annual Speed Hill Climbs Set for Ballyvaughan

17 April 1999

The noise of racing Buggatis, perhaps a Ferrari or two, big open single seaters and saloons will attempt to set new records in Ballyvaughan next weekend. The annual Galway Motor Club speed hillclimb will be held up the fabulous Corkscrew hill on Saturday, April 24th, and up Ballalaban hill above Ailwee Caves on Sunday.

There is a huge local interest locally in speed hillclimbs, which means cars and drivers are timed to one-hundredth of one second, which makes for high speed driving between the loose stone walls that mark these hillclimbs apart from all others in the Dunlop Hillclimb Championship.

Shannon air traffic controller Donal Griffin is the defending champion from last year, but caused considerable damage to his car when he crashed out of the opening round in Inistioge, Co Kilkenny two weeks ago. He hopes to have the Delta repaired in time for Ballyvaughan his 'home' event.

The competitors are due to start practice around 11.30am each day and the roads are closed to other traffic until 6.30pm.

Saturday 24th April 1999

Road closed from south of entrance to Gregan's Castle Hotel via Corkscrewhill to Doonyvarden (N67). Closure time from 10.30 am until 6.30 pm. Alternative route to/from Ballyvaughan/ Lisdoonvarna via Blackhead (R477) or Caherconnell (R480).

Sunday 25th April 1999

Road closed from Ballyalaban to Glensleade (R480). Closure time from 11.00 am until 6.00 pm. Alternative route via Corkscrewhill (N67). Access to Ailwee Caves open at all times.

Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.