2024 KDMC Endurance Trial – Smiles for miles!
Motorsport is euphoric, exhilarating and enthralling. However, for those competing at the
upper end by rallying or circuit racing they also will tell you it is bloody expensive. As the
old saying goes, how do you make a small fortune out of motorsport? Easy – start with a
large one!
With this in mind there are a number of alternatives of cost effective, low(er) budget events
where competitors can get the same enjoyment without breaking the bank. These include
Autotests, Night Navigation Trials and Economy Runs. In addition, another type of event
which is rapidly gaining popularity over the past few years is Endurance Trials.
Endurance Trials cater primarily for 1 and 1.3 litre virtually standard road going cars (fitted
with some minor safety modifications). The event itself normally has a number of
“selectives” i.e. designated closed sections from 500 metres to 5 kilometres in which
competitors are timed. These selectives are ordinarily around farmyards, old disused quarries
or roads on private land. The crews are provided with route diagrams in advance to allow
them to visualise the selectives ahead. To keep overall speeds down on the selectives there
are a number of pre-determined “stop boxes” (where cars have to come to a complete stop)
and “code boards” (where competitors have to stop at a specific location within the course
and note a random four-digit code affixed to a pole / tree / building etc). Competitors then
navigate between these selectives on open public roads using maps and diagrams at a defined
low road speed (50 KPH).
The recommended modifications required to a vehicle are quite basic and understandable
given the challenges of these events. These modifications include:
Sump Guard.
4 point harnesses.
2 spare tyres (highly recommended).
First Aid kit.
Tow Rope.
A set of helmets for the selectives.
The car being used must also have a valid NCT / MOT.
At the beginning of 2024 Killarney and District Motor Club applied to Motorsport Ireland to
hold an Endurance Trial for the first time. This application was successful and the event was
scheduled for 30 th June. As this type of event was new to the South West of the country the
club held an information evening at the Killarney Plaza Hotel. This information evening was
organised to give individuals with an interest in trying this type of motorsport an idea of what
was involved and required in advance of the event.
As part of the evening, Endurance Trial competitors Eoin Longworth, Seanie O’Sullivan and
Noreen Stanley spoke eloquently and passionately about Endurance Trials and gave some
great insight into the events and how they run. The meeting was attended by approximately
70 people and the audience included a varied cross section of motoring enthusiasts across the
board. These included individuals considering dipping their toe into motorsport for the first
time, lifelong marshals and organisers thinking about trying their hand at competition as well
as past rally competitors considering making a return in a different guise after many years
away from motorsport.
With interest gaining pace members of the organising team sat down and began planning a
route. With the help of the event headquarters, the Killarney Country Club, an Ordnance
Survey map, local knowledge and some very enthusiastic and generous farmers / land owners
a number of selective locations in Listry, Firies, Killorglin and Castleisland areas were
identified. The selectives, which varied from 1 to 2.5 kilometres in distance were designed to
challenge both competitor and machine. KDMC were also truly grateful when the very
experienced Finbarr Hanratty stepped up to Clerk the event on behalf of the Club.
With everything coming together the entries began coming in and we were delighted to see so
many regular Endurance Trial competitors entering and supporting the event. The event
began in earnest on the morning of 30 th June with the very first selective starting virtually at
the front door of event headquarters with many of those competing were trying competitive
motorsport for the first time. The variation of cars competing included Subaru Imprezas,
Mitsubishi Colts, Nissan Micra’s and even Opel Ascona, but the car of choice was the Toyota
Starlet. When the time came, 36 intrepid crews lined up at the start line and took off into the
June summer dust.
At the end of the 13 seclectives it was the Toyota Starlet of the Westmeath / Longford duo of
Robert Howard and Andrew Steward who took the Overall win with Graham O’Donoghue /
Kevin Fegan second (Also Starlet) with Shane and Ciaran Maguire third (Mitsubishi Colt).
In the Open class it was former Billy Coleman Award winner Owen Murphy navigated by
Damien O’Donovan who came out on top in their night navigation trial prepared Subaru
Impreza. Local bragging rights and top Kerry crew home were Timmy and Darragh Lynch
who came 14 th Overall in their Toyota Starlet winning their class in the process.
From an organisational perspective the event was a huge success with Competitor feedback
overwhelmingly positive. A special thanks to all marshals and everyone who helped out the
day. As this was the clubs first time running this type of event there are some improvements
and tweaks to be made for 2025 but we can’t wait to do it all over again next summer.
So, if you, the reader are interested in this type of cheap(ish), cost effective type of
motorsport please get in touch through one of Killarney and District Motor Club’s social
media pages. We would be delighted to steer you in the right direction!
Photos taken by Pat O’Sullivan

Winners: Robert Howard and Andrew Steward

KDMC Club members Mike O’Shea & Brendan O’Shea back together competing again for first time in 25 years (Last event together was 1999!)

KDMC Stallworth Kieran Martin who has been involved in the organisational side of KDMC since the 1990’s competing on his debut event. He was navigated by his son Lorcan.

Gerard and Luke O’Reilly from Co. Meath enjoying themselves!
Owen Murphy & Damien O’Donovan, winners of the Open category

Opel Ascona of Andrew Mackarel / Greg Shinnors
KDMC members Amy Barton & Michael O’Leary about to start Selective 1.

Clerk of the Course Finbarr Hanratty at Drivers Briefing.

Ready for the off.

KDMC member and Rally.ie creator Brian Duggan navigated by Ken Carmody in their Toyota Starlet.
KDMC crew of Todd & Mary Falvey in their Toyota MR2.