Margaret McGreal Eco Run (7th August) Details
Next Sunday 7th of August, Mayo & District Motorsport Club are embarking on a road event with difference. Far removed from the annual Mayo stages rally which takes place every March and which has been based in Ballina for the last four years, the Margaret McGreal Economy Run is a family friendly road team event in aid of Cancer Care West which will commence and finish at Great National Hotel Ballina and takes in approximately 240km of the scenic Wild Atlantic Way. In March 2015 Mayo & District Motorsport club lost one of their dearest members when Margaret McGreal sadly passed away. During her illness Margaret, like so many others that we know, was the beneficiary of much support and kindness from Cancer Care West and in keeping this in mind her friends in the club have organised this novel family friendly motor event in her memory. Margaret herself was both organiser and participant in regular economy runs which took place back in the days of the Ballina Motor Club every St. Stephens Day and she spend many hours in her last week’s retelling stories of the fun and excitement surrounding each event. It was felt that an Economy Run revival would be the most fitting tribute to such a lady.
The objective of the economy run is to drive a route set by the organising team in ordinary passenger cars under normal driving conditions on real roads. The event is open to all road worthy cars from pre-war cars to present day petrol or diesel models and motorbikes. Each team (min of 2 persons per car) start with a full tank of fuel and on completion of the route they must refuel at a nominated filling station to calculate the fuel economy. Teams are required to check in at various check points along the route. Points will be added for fuel economy, early/late check in at check points, driving the wrong direction or missing a check point. At the end of the event the team with the least points are the winners. This is a fun event for all the family while at the same time raising funds for a worthy charity. The route takes competitors from Ballina through Killala, Ballycastle, Belmullet, Blacksod and back to Ballina. There will be a break in The Western Strands Hotel Belmullet for refreshments during the event. The day will finish with prize giving and an evening of entertainment for all in the Great National Hotel Ballina.
The members and officials of Mayo & District Motorsport Club are proud to be involved in promoting and supporting this event in memory of Margaret, one of our dearest members and in raising awareness and funds for a very worthy cause. This event will be an interesting twist on the usual roles and positions within the club. For many it will be a case of role reversal for the day with the drivers and navigators taking up the roles of marshals and time keepers, while club marshals, timekeepers and non-competing members together with the spectators will get an opportunity to take to the road and be competitors. This event also gives the club the opportunity to promote road safety and fuel efficient driving in addition to promoting the wonderful scenic routes along the Wild Atlantic Way. Club Road Safety Officer Maggie Bonner is heading up this event as Clerk of the Course and with her hard working team there is no doubt that all is on track for it to be a successful event.
Registration is from 9am Sunday 7th August in the Great National Hotel Ballina, with the first car due to leave at 10.45am and every 30 seconds thereafter. Entries are now open and the cost is €50 per car, €30 per motorbike. Regulations and entry forms are available for download or you can email the event secretary Rachel Rogers – mmcgecorun@gmail.com or by pm on Facebook (mmcgecorun)
