Awards aplenty during Ted’s annual run
AS cars from across the 32 counties congregated at the Riverside Park Hotel, Macroom for the ninth Ted’s Opel Vauxhall Run, the sun shone out brightly. Cars of all eras from 1947 right up to a 162 reg were in attendance. And with the weather on-side, any roof that could be put down was.
Ivy, a Dog from Irish Dogs for the Disabled, also attended with handler Kate. The first Special Award of the day went to a Vauxhall Wyvern owned by Cyril Casey and chosen by the management of the Riverside Park Hotel. The cars then headed to the lunch stop at the Eccles Hotel, Glengarriff via Ballyvourney, Top of Coom, Kilgarvan, Kenmare, and the Healy Pass.
After lunch the main awards were presented. The Opel Ireland Perpetual Trophy was presented by Fergal Maron, Opel Ireland to Joey O’Shea from Limerick for his Opel Manta. The Kevin O’Leary Perpetual Cup went to Neil Hourihane from Cork for his Opel Corsa, the Cartell.ie Perpetual Cup went to Cyril Casey from Bantry for his Vauxhall Wyvern, the Perpetual Sheild went to Don Mavor from Kenmare for his Vauxhall Omega and the Jackie Small Memorial Trophy went to David Hendron from Belfast for his Opel Kadett Coupe. The Spirit of the Run Perpetual Trophy went to David O’Brien from Kildare who brought his Opel Rekord Dsl which belonged to his late father.
The second Special Award, which was chosen by the Eccles Hotel staff, went to John Unkles from Sligo with his Opel Manta. The run continued on through Ballylickey and stopped off at Gougane Barra where another Special Award was presented to John Kelly for his Opel Kadett Coupe, this car was picked by a family from Texas who were staying in the Gougane Barra Hotel.
The route than took in the South Lake road, Inchigeela, Macroom and returning to the Riverside Park Hotel. The final Special Award was presented to Gary McDonald from Belfast at the Riverside Park Hotel. A live band added to the atmosphere on Saturday night and a singsong followed which led to a late night. There were all kinds of cars from vintage to modern, standard to modified, all enjoying the scenic views mixed with some roads used as rally stages and excerpts of the Wild Atlantic Way.
A thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all and participants are already looking forward to next year’s event – the 10th anniversary – on August 12, 2017.