Strong female presence at Round 1 of the Harrington Autocross Championship
Left to right- Michelle McMahon, Sadbh McMahon, Jenny Carney, Patricia Denning, Molly Maguire, Carrie Ryan & Hazel O’Callaghan
Mayo and District Motorsport Club hosted the first round of the Harrington Loose Surface Championship on Sunday 10th May, featuring exceptional female talent throughout the competitive field. The strong turnout of female competitors on gravel events is an encouraging sign for the future of the sport.
Molly Maguire from Monaghan Motor Club made an impressive gravel debut in her immaculately prepared Peugeot 206. Molly is a double National Night Navigation Champion and an accomplished stage rally navigator. She is proving to be equally as talented on both sides of the car as she put in some impressive times during the day in a highly contested 1600cc class.
Hazel O‘Callaghan is a highly experienced and talented Tarmac Specialist in her Mark 2 Escort and has won numerous accolades in Stage Rallies. She has made a seamless transition from the Escort to a four wheel drive Mitsubishi Evo 9 and this was her second loose surface event in the Evo 9. O’Callaghan’s progression throughout the day highlights her exceptional driving skills and she is already looking forward to the next Mayo Autocross in June.
Patricia Denning was competing in her Mitsubishi Evo 9 and perhaps started the day with too much enthusiasm for the slippy conditions resulting in a spin or two! She settled in as the day progressed and posted more respectable times as the day progressed.
Sadbh McMahon enjoyed her debut event at the popular Mayo Autocross and put in a very strong performance. Her mother, Michelle was in the navigator’s seat for the first time and did a fantastic job guiding her daughter around the 2.5km track. Sparkie the Chevrolet was also making his Mayo Autocross debut! Sadbh’s car control is remarkable and she shows huge potential on loose surface. She was rewarded with a well deserved 2nd in Class.
There was also a strong female presence in the administrative side of the event with Mayo Club Member Jenny Carney serving as joint event secretary and Carrie Ryan from Clare Motor Club as Children’s officer.
