Seán’s superb progress AUTOCROSS
SEAN CAHILL, a 22-year-old from Enniscorthy, was crowned the 2016 Irish National Loose Surface Autocross champion at a big awards ceremony in the Oakwood Hotel in Shannon, Co. Clare, recently.
Seán, a member of Wexford Motor Club, was also crowned Munster Autocross champion at the same event. This is the first time ever where both of these championship have been won by the same person.
Seán secured his championship win by finishing either first or second place in 13 autocross events throughout the country. Winning his class in each event allowed him garner enough points to win the Class 10 championship early on, and build on that to press on to win the overall championship. He achieved this goal with a round to spare.
This achievement is widely recognised as extraordinary, given that it was Seán’s first year competing in the championship. More seasoned competitors have been quick to acknowledge Seán’s talent.
The very experienced and previous national champion Pádraic McHale spoke after beating Seán into second place by the narrowest of margins at the Wexford round with a superior machine. ‘I have never had to push myself so hard to beat any another competitor and I would prefer if I didn’t have to do that again,’ McHale said.
Winning the national championship at such a young age marks Seán out as a very special talent, and one to look out for in the future of Irish motorsport.
Seán was keen to acknowledge the support he has enjoyed during the year, thanking the people who made his championship wins possible, including Willie Bolster, John Somers, Eoin Neville and John McGrath. He made special mention of his biggest supporter: his dad, Nicholas Cahill, who has been with him all the way.
Seán was not the only Wexford Motor Club member to receive an award on the night. John McGrath from Bunclody received an award for second place in class 10 in the Munster championship.
Wexford Motor Club was also honoured with a presentation for the ‘best event of the year award’ which was made to clerk of the course for the event, John Barry.
Seán’s accomplishments have also been recognised by Wexford Motor Club, winning the 2016 outstanding achievement of the year award at the club’s annual awards and recognition night in December.