Mayor honours Motor Club and top rally driver
Friday was a historic day for the Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club, which was honoured with a joint Mayoral Reception together with star rally driver and club member Craig Breen.
In her address at the reception in the Town Hall, Mayor Sylvia Cooney Sheehan recalled the many highlights of the club since its foundation in 1958 at Ormond Castle, when it was established by the late John Lonergan and Mickey Wallace.
The Mayor outlined many innovative ideas introduced by the club, including the late Willie Loughman’s proposal to change an ‘auto cross’ permit to allow the club to run a single stage rally. This venture was an outstanding success and it became the blueprint for similar events that continued to the present day. The club also held the first ‘Mini Stages Rally’.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary the club organised a Festival of Motor Sport which showcased the true ethos of the club in raising €90,000 for the National Rehabilitation Hospital and the Childrens’ Medical and Research Foundation. The main events this year will be the Willie Loughman Memorial Forestry Stages Rally, the Raven Rock Rally and the Halloween Historic Stages Rally.
President of the Motor Club, and the only surviving active member George Clancy, said he enjoyed the experience immensely through the good times and bad times. He congratulated 2009 Motorsport Young Rally Driver of the Year Craig Breen, adding that Craig’s International Licence was the icing on the cake for the Motor Club.
Mr Clancy commented: “As member of the club, being club chairman and now club president, I have always treated motorsport as a sport, a way to enjoy one’s self in the company of others. It gives me great pleasure as not only the club is being recognised here today but one of our most outstanding young members Craig Breen.
“I have known and am a friend with the Breen family for many years. Craig’s dad Ray is a former National Tarmac and Forestry Champion and was well able to handle a rally car, but now I think his son Craig has taken over and even at his tender age would give his Dad a run for his money!”
Mr Clancy added: “I can remember Craig from the age of 13 or 14, when on event days he would come to the office and always ask what kind of competition can I enter today George? Over the past 12 months he has astounded all of us with his results and he is now about to embark on his second full season of rallying. I wish him all the best.”
Craig Breen, who celebratees his 20th birthday this week, was honoured in recognition of his magnificent rallying achievements during 2009, which included a hat-trick of Fiesta Sport Trophy Championships – Irish, United Kingdom and International (WRC). He also won the National Junior Rally Championship and was crowned Young Driver of the Year for which he received the Billy Coleman Award. The Mayor made presentations of inscribed crystal vases to both Craig and George.
Craig’s father Ray Breen, a former rally driver himself, thanked the large number of guests and congratulated the Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club on their many achievements.. He said he and his wife Jackie were very proud of Craig and derived great pleasure from watching him compete. He thanked all who helped Craig along the way.
Gerard Quinn, Ford of Europe Motor Sport Director, said he was passionate about rallying and was always proud to see the Irish Flag flying in foreign countries. He complimented Craig and his extremely professional team and said he admired the young driver's dedication and commitment. .
Joe Cochrane, President of Motor Club Sport Ireland, pointed out that his association with the Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club and George Clancy in particular went back a long way. He congratulated Craig and said he was pleased to witness his great success in Finland last year.
Craig Breen said he was flattered to be accorded this Mayoral Reception and he paid tribute to his support team. He said he always wanted to be a rally driver and hoped in the coming year to improve on last year.
Following the Mayoral Reception, Craig's new €270,000 Ford Fiesta S2000, the first on Irish soil, was formally launched outside the Carraig Hotel on Main Street, where the Breen Rally Team was introduced to a large and very enthusiastic crowd.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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