Track days are a popular opportunity for rally teams and car enthusiasts to ‘shake-down’ their cars and buggies ahead of competition or just enjoy a good day out and ‘run what you brung,’ – good fun is guaranteed.
There are generally two types of track for circuit racing in Ireland, tarmac and combination Autocross tracks with both tarmac and loose surfaces. On a track day cars/ buggies and drivers are categorised into classes by power and experience and they lap around the circuit in separated sessions.
Sessions of laps typically last 20 minutes, so you will get one session per hour. Most competitions involve a series of heats leading to qualification for finals and ultimately, the super final race for the fastest competitors on the day.
In this episode we are featuring track day racing from two excellent circuits; Hut Cross Autocross track, Latton, Co Cavan (tarmac/ concrete and loose surfaces) owned by the Cavan Motor Club and Pallas Karting Track, Tynagh, Loughrea, Co Galway (tarmac) owned by Michael and Tom Moloney.
Both circuits host buggies, two and four-wheel drive cars, with various engine, chassis, and suspension modifications and you will always see something of interest along with great driving skills on a track day. The Hut Cross Autocross track was established by Cavan Motor Club when they bought a 14-acre disused quarry at Latton, Co Cavan.
After the Rallycross track was ‘laid’ and left to settle over the preceding winter, the track opened in October 1995. The track has been further improved with Armco barriers along the start/ finish straight, elevated permanent Marshals positions and improved spectator facilities. Numerous Club Championship races are held in different classes each year and the Hut Cross track remains the only permanent Autocross Track wholly owned and managed by an Irish Motor Club.
The Pallas Karting track was opened by Michael and Tom Moloney in 1997 at Tynagh, near Loughrea, Co Galway. The track is 2.200 km (1.367 mi) in length and features three track configurations: 500m beginners track, a 1500m advanced track, and a 2200m rally track. The full track can be configured for rally and rallycross events.
Each year since 1999 the Motorsport Ireland approved track has hosted the National Karting Championships, numerous RSA Rally Sprint events, track days and in 2019 a round of the Irish Rallycross Championship.
Information sources: Cavan Motor Club www.cavanmotorclub.com, Pallas Karting Track www.pallaskarting.com, Motorsport Ireland www.motorsportireland.com, Shane McGann Racing
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