Petrolheads in for a treat as Cannonball 2019 set to make a pit stop in Fermoy
PETROLHEADS in north Cork will this Friday have the chance to get ‘up close and personal’ with some of the worlds most sumptuous super-cars when the 2019 ‘Cannonball’ makes a pit stop in Fermoy.
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.
A convoy of more than 190 McLaren’s, Lamborghini’s, Ferrari’s, Aston Martin’s, Porsche’s, Maserati’s, Rolls Royce’s and Bentley’s will descend on the Circle K complex at Moorepark from 12.30pm on day one of the trek, which is this year raising much needed funds for the Irish Cancer Society.
Organisers of the event have been busy organising a family fun day to coincide with the arrival of the event to Fermoy, promising visitors free entertainment and of course a chance to pose with some of the most expensive motors in the world.
After refuelling in Fermoy the convoy will get back on the road at 2pm, passing through the town and the village of Castleyons before arriving to Ballymaloe House, with hundreds of spectators set to line the route.
After a brief stop at Ballymaloe the convey will make its way to Killarney where it will stop over for the night before heading off to Limerick. Ballina and Sligo, with the 2019 Cannonball finishing up in Edenderry on Sunday.
The run is loosely based on the cult ‘Cannonball Run’ series of movies from the 1980’s that saw super-cars take on a chaotic race across the US.
However its founder Alan Bannon said the Irish version is a more sedate affair.
“It’s not a race but an organised road trip – and its decidedly legal and above board. 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,” he said.
Since it was first held 11-years ago the event, which last year finished in Blarney, has helped raise more than €1 million for Irish charities.
“The money raised this year will help fund lifesaving research and support services for people affected by cancer,” said Alan.