THERE WAS plenty of action in the recent Carrick on Suir Hillclimb; Carlow Car Club members dominated the event on both days with some outstanding driving which lead to nail biting overall and class battles between the members. First up was the Saturday hill which was located in Piltown, drivers were greeted that morning with torrential rain which continued throughout the day nonetheless this did not deter them as they set about their main objective, getting to the top of the hill in record time.

Right from the off the battles began the first of which was between club men John Byrne in his single seater Jedi and Mark Cullen in the Darrian T90, the first run saw Mark slip into the overall slot with a time of 1.01.58s to John's time of 1.01.70s, and so the battle had begun.

On run 2 John edged out in front by 3 seconds, Mark stepped up the pace on run 3 which seen him back in the top slot again but it was run 4 that was the decider as both men went out and gave it their all Mark managed to knock a further half second off his quickest time giving him a 58.81s but unfortunately it was not enough as John answered the call and pulled a time of 57.17s to secure the overall win and also scoop 1st in class 6, Mark was second overall and also top the bill in class 9 a superb drive by both men and highly entertaining.

Racing duo Jack Deegan and Pat Murphy went to battle for the top spot in class 10, the pair each competing in a Peugeot 205 continued to swap times all day with mere hundereds of a second separating them at times, it was Jack who snatched the top spot in the end with Pat in very close second the pair were also 4th and 5th overall on the day. Brendan Harpur finished 9th overall and took honors in class 7 with his Delta T81, also taking honors in class 5 with her Formula Vee was regular hillclimber Laura Eustace, she also received the highest placed lady award. John Bradley only managed to get in one run on the day as his engine blew but this one run was enough to secure him the top spot in class 2.

Sundays hill was located in Tullogher on the outskirts of New Ross, weather conditions were a lot more favourable for this very fast and technical hill, many competitors commented that this may well be one of the best hills they had competed on, as Pat Murphy remarked he frightened himself so much with the speed he was achieving coming up to the finish line he was considering turning his helmet sideways!

Carnew Man John Byrne was back out in force and managed to set a time of 45.20s on the first run despite reports of a slipping clutch, the problem manifested on the return route and resulted in John having to retire after the first run, this left it wide open for the top spot. It was a three way battle as the Cullen brothers Mark and David along with Brendan Harpur set about beating the first timed run of John Byrne, the three edged closer after each timed run and after run 3 it looking like Brendan Harphur was going to do the business with a time of 45.42s but unfortunately it was not to be as Brendan had an off coming out of the chicane on run 4 and failed to finish the run due to a fractured collar bone.

Mark Cullen also pushed his Darrian T90 to the limit along with his brother David in his Hillman Avenger but despite coming extremely close neither Brendan, Mark or David could beat the first timed run of John Byrne leaving John to take the overall and class win for the second day with Brendan in second, Mark 3rd and both taking a class win also. David Cullen secured honors in class 10 while Pat Murphy and Jack Deegan returned for more action and it was Pat who came out on top this time scooping second in class 10 with Jack in 3rd. Bob Roe came out top of the Fiat Uno Battle while Laura Eustace was top of class 5 despite having to retire after an off on run 3.

Catherine Kelly came second in the class 8 battle and received the highest placed lady award, while Colin Bradley held the torch for the Bradley motorsport crew and secured 3rd in class 2. Carlow Car Club are holding a social night in the Lord Bagenal Hotel Leighlinbridge on Sunday 1st August, music is by The Works and a presentation will be made on the night to the Cystic Fibrosis Association for all the money raised by the fundraising events held by the club during there recent stages rally.