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