Nagle teams up with inspirational co-driver McFadden

IRELAND’S most successful rally co-driver, Killarney man Paul Nagle has lent his support to Sara McFadden who has become the first sight-impaired person in Ireland to compete on rally.

The Mayo native made her rally debut alongside her father Keith at the recent Imokily Rally in Cork.

The 17-year old was born with albinism, a condition characterised by the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. She only sees a white haze and shadows in front of her when she is in the sunlight and muscles behind her eyes never developed correctly.

Her application for a rally licence was fully approved by Motorsport Ireland’s medical panel and by the National Council for the Blind.

Since last month’s rally she has become a media sensation appearing news and radio shows including RTE’s Ryan Tubridy Show.

Nagle, a winner of several rounds of the world rally championship, said he hoped he and Sara could compete in the same event someday.

He said:

“Sara’s story in a genuine inspiration and shows that with the right attitude you can achieve almost anything.

“Not only is she an inspiration to everyone in motorsport, she is an inspiration to everyone living with a disability. I wish her all the best in her navigating career and, who knows, we may appear on the entry list of the same rally someday in the future.

The Cork Forest Rally took place in Mallow over the weekend with plenty of Kerry representation on the entry list of the country’s only two-day gravel event.

Kerry Motor Club members competing included Colin Nelligan, navigated by Timmy O’Sullivan, who took third in class nine after mechanical difficulties on Saturday.

Another class nine crew, Ian Horgan and Pa Brislane debuted a new Suzuki Swift, but had a down on power engine and eventually retired after stage nine while holding third in class.

Castleisland’s Denny Greaney navigated Paul McCann in a Skoda Fabia but also retired after stage one with gearbox troubles.

Killarney and District Motor Club members in action included Damian Fleming who navigated Limerick’s Stephen Bawn to fourth in class 14 in what was the Escort driver’s first outing on gravel.

In Snetterton, in Norfolk, England, Lorcan Hanafin continued with his step up from Renault Clio Juniors to Ginetta Junior with an 11th place finish on one of the support races at the meeting that celebrated 60 years of the British Touring Car Championship.

It was his second race at this level and first time driving the Ginetta in the wet. Leeds-based Hanafin is the son of Tralee business man Dermot.