The Donegal Motor Club has confirmed that this year’s Knockalla Hill Climb will go ahead next month.
The event will take place on the weekend of the 2nd and 3rd of September with Kellys Toyota as the new Title Sponsor for 2023.
There had been some uncertainty over whether or not it would go ahead after the organising committee encountered a few ‘technical issues’ that arose late in the day.
These issues would have had serious implications for the event.
“Thankfully, due to the hard work and experience of this year’s Clerks of the Course (COC) Micheal Kelly, Larry Harper, the organising team and the Donegal Motor Club Committee a successful solution was found with the Hill Climb Commission for Donegal Motor Club to accommodate this years Knockalla Hill Climb to run as counting rounds of the ALEKTO Irish Hill Climb and Sprint Championship as has been the case for many successful years,” a Donegal Motor Club spokesperson said.
“We welcome Kellys Toyota as title sponsor this year. Kellys Toyota has always been a proud supporter of the Donegal Motor Club and we are delighted that they have shown confidence in our event again this year. We look forward to welcoming many more of our sponsors back again this year,” they added.
Again, this year the top prizes are the Danny Gormley and John Leinster Memorial trophies, with the only change being the introduction of a ‘virtual chicane’ on a trial basis. This is a simple traffic light system just after the start line similar to the pit lane system in F1 where the cars slow until the lights turn green, then go racing.
Last year’s COC, Michael Kelly, is again taking charge of Saturday’s racing and he had this to say on this year’s racing.
“After the super success of last year’s Danny Gormley 50th Anniversary Memorial Hillclimb, which was a fantastic weekend for the competitors and organisers, we are delighted to be welcoming everyone back to Knockalla again this year,” Mr Kelly said.
“Like everything these days, things are changing and we have adapted to these changes to make this hillclimb continue as the premier hillclimb of the year. This event can only happen with the co-operation and support of the local residents, marshalls, competitors, many generous and loyal sponsors, Donegal County Council, Motorsport Ireland, Garda Siochana and the Emergency Services.”
Sunday’s COC, Larry Harper, is no stranger to the Knockalla Hill Climb having taken charge of the start line for many years.
“I am delighted to be taking charge of Sunday’s Racing. We have over the years developed a real good team to run the hill with Francis Devine returning as chief marshal, Sam Pearson as Event Secretary along with marshals who have been coming here to help for years and a lot of fresh faces that appear each year to ensure we run this event to the best of our abilities,” Mr Harper said.
He said he would encourage a lot of younger and newer drivers to look at how easy and cost effective it is to get your car hill climb logged and get a hillclimb licence to get the chance to race on the world famous Knockalla Hill. Dual drive and entry options for one and two days are available, with club points available both days for Donegal Club Marshals.
Follow the Donegal Motor Club social channels where there will be loads more announcements over the coming days on this year’s events. But, don’t forget, the most important thing of all is to get your entries in this week.
Entries are available at the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjG23S-DYk054z_Dm-NKrLuucp4wT_FxJl8OF0Ad1MoF_efg/viewform
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