North Cork ready to host Ireland’s largest ever Autograss meeting
MALLOW AUTOGRASS CLUB TO HOLD HIGH-OCTANE SPECTACLE AT BALLYGUYROE TRACK THIS WEEKEND
THE Mallow Autograss Club will this weekend host one of the biggest motoring events ever to grace these shores at its purpose built track in the heart of the Ballyhoura Mountains.
In a first for the club, and indeed the country, the track will hold round one of the 2017 British Autograss Series - with the leading male and female drivers from across Ireland and the UK set to do battle over two days at the Ballyguyroe track.
The action will kick-off early on Saturday morning with heats in 11 male and female classes and three junior classes taking place throughout the day.
The top eight drivers in each class will qualify for Sunday’s finals, with the winners of each of these then going head-to-head in the handicapped Champions cup race-off.
For the uninitiated, Autograss is a high-octane form of racing where drivers compete on an oval dirt track, presenting a thrilling spectacle for the hundreds of spectators expected to flock to the bank-holiday meeting.
Securing the round is a major coup for Mallow Autograss, which only opened its 440-yard circuit at Ballyguyroe two years ago. Prior to that the club had been homeless following the closure of its former track at Ballyclough in 2007.
Built at a cost of €250,000 the track is widely regarded as being one of the most advanced of its kind in Ireland and the UK, something which played a significant role in its being able to secure this weekend’s prestigious racing event.
Mallow Autograss secretary Michelle Cusack told The Corkman that the club, one of only four in the Republic, was extremely proud to be able to host the event.
“This is a huge event, not just for the club, but for the sport in Ireland. This will be the biggest Autograss event ever to take place in the country with more than 400 cars racing over the weekend and the superstars of the event from the Republic, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales taking part,” said Michelle.
“We have been very busy over the past few months organising the event and now that it is almost upon us the excitement is reaching fever pitch. It promises to be a brilliant weekend of entertainment and a massive showcase for the sport,” she added.
Admission will be €12.50 per day for adults and €7 for children between 12-16 and OAP’s with under 12’s free.
“There will be ample parking, overnight camping, a beer tent and kiddies entertainment on both days,” said Michelle.
“The whole weekend will be one great big festival of racing and we are urging people to come along and enjoy what promises to be a fun-filled weekend of world class action and thrills,” she added.