Blarney gearing up to be the final pit stop for Cannonball 2018 run
UP TO 200 SUPER-CARS WORTH MILLIONS OF EURO SET TO DESCEND ON THE TOWN
FOR the first time in four years petrol heads in Cork will get the chance to get ‘up close and personal’ to some sumptuous super-cars, with Cannonball 2018 set to cross the finish line in the village of Blarney next month.
Billed as the ultimate Irish road trip, Cannonball is a three-day event during which a spectacular convoy of the world’s top mark cars travel around the country to raise money for charity, taking a different route each year.
Up to 200 gleaming McLarens, Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Aston Martins, Porsches and Rolls Royce’s are expected to take part in this year’s 10th anniversary run, which will roll into Blarney at the finish of its final leg on Saturday, September 10.
Last year Cork motor fans got a chance to get a tantalising glimpse of the convoy when it made a brief stop in Kinsale. This year Blarney has been chosen as the final destination for the run, the first time that it has finished in Cork since 2014.
Organisers of the event have been busy organising a family fun day to coincide with the arrival of Cannonball 2018 to Blarney, promising visitors a fun day packed with free entertainment and, of course, a chance to pose with some of the most expensive motors in the world.
While the run is loosely based on spirit of the cult ‘Cannonball Run’ series of movies from the 1980s that saw super-cars take on a chaotic race across the US, its founder Alan Bannon said the Irish version was an altogether more civilised affair.
“It’s not a race but an organised road trip – and its decidedly legal and above board,” he smiled.
“That said, it is still very much a wild and wonderful adventure, with many opportunities to set participants and spectators pulse rates going along the way. As this is our 10th anniversary, this will be an extra special event with all ‘Cannonballers’ re-uniting for the ultimate road trip,” said Alan.
He promised the final day in Blarney would be a spectacular affair, inviting people to come along to savour the unique festival atmosphere that Cannonball Ireland is renowned for.
“The Brazilian Dancers will bring all the glamour of a carnival; Doc and Marty McFly will be going ‘Back to the Future’ will their fully kitted out Delorean; there will be fire-breathing monster trucks; and the Canonballers themselves in their crazy costumes adding to the melee,” said Alan.
“There will also be some free giveaways and, of course, some of the finest cars on the planet. So, come out and enjoy this truly unique, free family day out.”
Of course there is a more serious side to Cannonball, with the event having raised more than €950,000 for charity in the past decade.
“This year we hope to top the €1million mark, with proceeds from the event going to Childline, the 24-hour phone service that answers more than 380,000 calls from children and young people each year,” said Alan.