NEWS
Release Date : 7th December 1998
Shanahan Supernova
Nineteen year old sporting sensation Neil Shanahan, from Churchtown, Dublin, went supernova this morning when it was announced that he had become the 'RIAC Dunlop Driver of
the Year' for the second year in a row. At a reception in the Plaza Hotel, Tallaght, the 'Ford of Ireland' Formula Ford Zetec Champion was declared the winner of the 1998 'RIAC Dunlop Driver of the Year' for which he will receive
Ireland's highest motor sport award, the Sexton Trophy. Beating off competition from British Formula Vee Champion Ray Moore(Dublin), Formula Ford 1600 Champion Matthew Gilmore(Belfast), Fiat Uno Champion Gavin
Smith (Dublin), Formula Opel Cup Champion Mark Kershaw(Brittas) and four times Irish Formula Vee Champion Brian Hearty (Dundalk), all of whom were selected for their impressive performances during the season, the news comes
as yet another boost to the promising teenager's racing career. As the winner of the prestigious 'Driver of the Year' title, Neil receives a generous support package aimed at helping him with his aspirations to become a full time
professional racing driver. Along with a cheque for £ 2,000 from Dunlop, he will also receive free travel with Stena-Line Ferries which will be of major benefit to Neil when he races in England and Europe next season. 1998 was a superb year for the Palfinger Ireland and Blaupunkt supported driver as he took 6 wins from 12 races en-route to winning the 'Ford of Ireland' backed Formula Ford Zetec Championship. Racing with the Mick
Merrigan Motorsport team, Neil also raced at the Formula Ford World Finals in October at the Brands Hatch circuit in England. Despite retiring from his semi-final while lying second, the teenager's performance did
enough to impress the leading factory teams all of whom are keen to run his 1999 campaign. Confirming that he will race in the British and European Formula Ford Championships next season Neil has still yet to sign for a
team. Irish fans should get a chance to see Neil in action in the European Series next year as the championship looks set to come to Mondello for one of it's rounds. Racing since 1993 when he started competing in Junior
Karting, Neil has become a driver seen by many to carry high hopes of Irish sporting success internationally. In 1996 he was the National Karting Vice Champion and last year he moved up to cars to dominate in the 'DHL Star of
Tomorrow' Formula Ford 1600 Championship a performance which saw him become the 1997 'RIAC Dunlop Driver of the Year'.
Release Date : 7th January 1999
Shanahan gets top Drive For British & European Championships
At an
announcement this morning during the opening day of the Autosport International Show at the NEC in Birmingham, Irish sporting sensation Neil Shanahan was confirmed as a driver for top team Van Diemen International Racing. The deal
will see the 19 year old from Churchtown, Dublin, compete in both the British and European Formula Ford Zetec Championships. The 1998 'Ford of Ireland' Formula Ford Zetec Champion and current 'RIAC Dunlop Driver of the
Year', Neil's signing will see him follow in the foot steps of Irish Grand Prix star Eddie Irvine. In 1987 the current Ferrari driver drove for the factory Van Diemen team and went on to win the British Championships and the
prestigious Formula Ford Festival. Such an achievement set Irvine on the successful road to Formula One and is one which Shanahan will be hoping to emulate this season. Commenting on his signing with Van Diemen International
Racing Neil said, 'Securing a works drive is a great achievement and it gives me an excellent opportunity to challenge for the British Championship which is recognised for it's competitiveness all over the world'. He continued,
'Now that I am signed up I am looking forward to my first drive in the new 1999 car'. Van Diemen's decision to sign the young Irish driver came as a result of his strong showing at the Formula Ford World Finals in
October. Forced to retire from the blue ribbon event while lying second in his semi-final, due a fuel pump problem, Neil made a big impression on the Norfolk based team and has been selected to drive one of their
factory run Van Diemen RF99 cars. Entering only his third season of car racing, Neil has quickly risen to the top of his sport making a name for himself both at home and abroad. In 1997, his debut year of car
racing, he won the Irish Formula Ford 1600 title along with the prestigious 'RIAC Dunlop Driver of the Year' Award. Stepping up a class in 1998 to Formula Ford Zetec, with the Mick Merrigan Motorsport team, he won
6 of the 12 championship races en-route to becoming the 'Ford of Ireland' Champion. In December the teenage star joined an elite few when he was declared the 'RIAC Dunlop Driver of the Year' for a second consecutive year. Neil will announce full details of his 1999 campaign and sponsors at a special reception in Dublin in March before heading off to compete in his first race of the year at Donington Park on April 4/5th.
Shanahan happy with '99 car after first dry test
Neil Shanahan declared himself happy with the Van Diemen RF99 after getting his first run in dry conditions today at Oulton Park. Testing alongside his two team mates and the Haywood Team,
which use French built Mygale chassis, the test was the 18 year old's first serious run in a car since October when he competed in the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch. Commenting on the day Neil said, 'Today was good as I
got in plenty of mileage', he added, 'the track (Oulton) is great to drive and the car feels really good'. Setting a best lap of 61.4 seconds compared to the quickest of the day, a 60.7 seconds set by his team mate Ricardo
Van der Ende, Neil was happy with his time despite not being able to match the pace of his Dutch team mate. 'I know where I am losing time,' he said, 'I just need more testing to get my head around some of the
faster corners'. Neil will have his next outing with Van Diemen International on Friday when they return to Snetterton where he shook down the car last Friday in damp conditions.
Release Date : 29th March 1999
Shanahan aims for a Happy Easter
Current 'Ford of Ireland' Formula Ford Zetec
Champion Neil Shanahan will be aiming to make it an Easter to remember when he makes his race debut with the works Van Diemen International team at Donington Park, England, this weekend. The opening round of the
'British Slick 50 Formula Ford Championship', the 19 year old Irish star, from Churchtown, Dublin, has his sights set on a podium finish at a track which he rates as one his favourites on the championship calendar.
Supporting the opening round of the 1999 British Touring Car Championship the race is expected to attract a quality field of over 30 cars. After much testing the event will kick start Neil's race schedule with the team which will
also see him competing in the Formula Ford Eurocup Series. A double 'RIAC Dunlop Driver of the Year' Neil will be hoping his drive with the highly renowned Van Diemen International team can bring him success and help him take his
promising career a step further. The Van Diemen team were responsible for taking Irish Grand Prix star Eddie Irvine to the British Formula Ford Championship title in 1987. Commenting on his prospects for the weekend Neil
said, 'I'm hoping for a top three finish so as I can get on the podium which would be a great way to begin the season', he continued, 'Donington is one of my favourite tracks so I'm pretty confident I can do well
there.' Last year in the 'Ford of Ireland' Formula Ford Zetec Championship, driving a Van Diemen RF98 for MM Motorsport, Neil scored 6 wins from 12 races en-route to becoming Irish Champion. In 1997, also
in a Van Diemen, Neil won the 'DHL Star of Tomorrow' Formula Ford 1600 Championship and this year he will be aiming to make it a hat trick of Championship victories driving a Van Diemen chassis. Neil's progress at Donington
Park this weekend can be followed here at his official web site which will have a full report after qualifying on Sunday and following Monday's race.
Donington qualifying report
In qualifying today for the opening round of the 1999 British Slick 50 Formula Ford Zetec
Championship at Donington Park, Neil emerged fastest of the Van Diemen drivers to post third quickest time in the 30 minute qualifying session.
Driving his newly liveried car the current Irish F/Ford Zetec Champion had been quickest
holding pole position for the opening 10 minutes of the session. Commenting on his performance the Dubliner said, 'I am delighted with the way things went in qualifying and I feel we can be really good for tomorrows race.'
The race, which will run over 18 laps, takes place tomorrow are 13.35.
Qualifying times from Donington Park
1. Marcos Ambrose - Australia - Ray 99Z - 1:12.751
2. Nicolas Kiesa - Denmark - Mygale SJ99 - 1:12.785
3.
Neil Shanahan - Ireland - Van Diemen RF99 - 1:12.864
4. Craig Murray - Great Britain - Mygale SJ99 - 1:12.945
5. Ricardo Van Der Ende - Van Diemen RF99 - 1:13.027
6. James Courtney - Van Diemen RF99 - 1:13.114
Shanahan makes big impression on British debut
Current Irish Formula Ford Zetec Champion Neil Shanahan, from Dublin,
made a big impression today when he finished fourth in the opening round of the British Formula Ford Zetec Championship at Donington Park, Derby. Results - Round One
Starting from third on the grid, the 19 year old made a superb start to move into second
on the opening lap before passing Danish driver Nicolas Kiesa next time round to take the lead. Once in front the Irish man, who is racing for the factory Van Diemen International team, managed to extend his lead to almost a second.
By
lap 8 however a hard charging Craig Murray from Scotland had Neil under pressure pulling off a pass at the end of the tour. Having been forced onto the grass the Irish star was next passed by Denmark's Nicolas Kiesa and Australia's Marcos
Ambrose which dropped him back to fourth.
Despite the best efforts of the double 'RIAC Dunlop Driver of the Year' he was unable to retake his position crossing the line just 2/10th of a second off a podium finish.
Commenting on
his debut performance Neil replied, 'Obviously I would have loved to win but to finish fourth and be the first Van Diemen (car) home is a great way to start the season'. He continued, 'Being Irish Champion there was alot of pressure on me to
do well and that's what I have done proving I can be a major player in this year's British Championship'.
Neil's next race will be at Silverstone in a fortnight (17/18 April) where he will be aiming to further establish himself in the
British Series.
1. Craig Murray - Great Britian - Mygale SJ99 - 22:16.488
2. Nicolas Kiesa - Denmark - Mygale SJ99 - 22:18.135
3. Marcos Ambrose - Australia - Ray 99Z - 22:21.781
4.
5. Mark Taylor - Great Britian - Mygale SJ99 - 22:28.599
6. Ricardo Van Der Ende - Van Diemen RF99 - 22:31.164
Silverstone Qualifying Report
For the second round of the Slick 50 Formula Ford Zetec Championship, Neil will start from the 5th row of the grid after setting ninth quickest
time today in Silverstone. Commenting on the half hour session Neil said "My biggest problem was getting a clear lap but hopefully I can get a good start and work my way up to the top of the field". Neil will be hoping to improve on his 4th
place finish 2 weeks ago in Donington Park. Qualifying times for Silverstone
1. Nicolas Kiesa - Denmark - Mygale SJ99 - 1.25.441
2. Craig Murray - Great Britain - Mygale SJ99 - 1.25.690
3. Frank Diefenbacher - Germany - Mygale SJ99 - 1.25.828
4. Marcos Ambrose - Australia - Ray 99Z - 1.25.841
5. Ricardo Van Der Ende - Netherlands -Van Diemen RF99 - 1.26.093
6. Robert Dahlgren - Sweden - Van Diemen RF99 - 1.26.174
7. Tom Sisley - Great Britain - Ray 99Z - 1.26.230
8. Jesper Carlsen - Denmark - Vector MG99 - 1.26.242
9.
10. Greg Caton - Great Britain - Van Diemen RF99 - 1.26.306
Frustrating weekend for Shanahan
After being one of the stars of the opening round of the British Formula
Ford Zetec Championship a fortnight ago at Donington Park, Neil had a frustrating weekend at Silverstone finishing 9th in round two of the series. Having only qualified ninth, the 19 year old Dublin driver
made a superb start to move up to fifth by the first corner, however his Van Diemen was forced off the track and across the gravel dropping him back down to 15th. Regaining his composure Neil made a strong recovery
to finish ninth at the end of the 15 lap race, one place ahead of Dutch team-mate Ricardo Van der Ende. After the race, which was won by Denmark's Nicolas Kiesa in a Mygale, Neil said, 'I'm a bit disappointed
to have only finished ninth but I had a really good race working my way back up to ninth after my off at the first corner'. Neil's next race, round three of the British Slick 50 Championship, takes place at the high
speed Thruxton circuit on the 2/3rd of May where the Irishman will be aiming to mix it at the top of the field as he did in Donington Park Results - Round 2 1. Nicolas Kiesa - Denmark - Mygale SJ99 - 17:17.227
2. Craig Murray - Great Britain - Mygale SJ99 - 17:17.645
3. Tom Sisley - Great Britain - Ray 99Z - 17:19.001
4. Frank Diefenbacher - Germany - Mygale SJ99 - 17:21.273
5. Marcos Ambrose - Australia - Ray 99Z - 17:23.556
6. Robert Dahlgren - Sweden - Van Diemen RF99 - 17:24.391
7. Greg Caton - Great Britain - Van Diemen RF99 - 17:25.643
8. Barry Horne - Great Britain - Van Diemen RF99 - 17:26.583
9.
10. Ricardo Van der Ende - Van Diemen RF99 - 17:30.084
Neil receives top award from Irish Journalists
At
a reception last night in the RIAC, Dawson Street, Dublin, Neil took yet another award when he was presented with the prestigious 'Barney Manley Memorial Trophy'. Voted for by Ireland's leading motorsport journalists, the
trophy is awarded to the most outstanding driver of the year. Neil joins a long list of successful past winners including Eddie Irvine (1987, 1994), Martin Donnelly (1988), Kenny Acheson (1989) and Johnny Kane (1997) as well as
top rallying stars Austin McHale (1986) and Bertie Fisher (1996). Also among the winners is top rallycross driver Dermot Carnegie (1990) who has supported Neil for the past two seasons through his company Carnegie Sand & Gravel.
The award adds to Neil's already impressive list of achievements for the 1998 season which include winning the 'Ford of Ireland' Formula Ford Zetec Championship and the 'Dunlop RIAC Driver of the Year' Award.
 |
Thruxton Qualifying Report
At Thruxton today(2nd May) for the third round of the Slick 50 Formula Ford Zetec Championship Neil set the 5th fastest time in his
qualifying session to line himself up on the third row of the grid for tomorrow's 12 lap race.
Held in sunny hot conditions, the 30 minute morning session saw Neil post his fastest time (1:18.529) on his third lap after taking advantage
of his cool tyres. Initially Neil had the top spot but was soon pushed back to 5th. With the conditions getting hotter Neil pitted to cool his tyres but on returning to the track he was unable to improve his time as the high temperatures made
the circuit slower.
After qualifying Neil expressed himself as being happy with his position having only had 25 minutes of practice at the high speed Thruxton Circuit previous to this event.
Round 3, Thruxton - Qualifying Times
1. Ricardo Van der Ende - Netherlands - Van Diemen RF99 - 1:18.529
2. Robert Dahlgren - Sweden - Van Diemen RF99 - 1:18.621
3. James Courtney - Australia - Van Diemen RF99 - 1:18.671
4. Marcos Ambrose - Australia - Ray 99Z - 1:18.888
5. Neil Shanahan - Ireland - Van Diemen RF99 - 1:18.927
6. Nicolas Kiesa - Denmark - Mygale SJ99 - 1:18.953
7. Tom Sisley - Great Britain - Ray 99Z - 1:19.248
8. Frank Diefenbacher - Germany - Mygale SJ99 - 1:19.294
9. Craig Murray - Great Britain - Mygale SJ99 - 1:19.321
10. Creg Caton - Great Britiain - Van Diemen RF99 - 1:19.623
Monday Race - 12 Laps, starts 16.25
Neil exits Thruxton race at first corner
It was a disappointing race today for Neil when he exited round 3 of the Slick 50 Formula Ford
championship at the first corner of the Thruxton race. Starting from 5th on the grid he made a good start and was in behind team-mate, Australian James Courtney, but going into the first corner Courtney got it sideways having
changed from 3rd gear down to 2nd instead of up to 4th, forcing Neil to go wide and into the barrier ending his race immediately. Commenting on the race Neil said "James went sideways and I had nowhere to go, it was just bad luck.". He
continued "I'm dissapointed not to have scored any points because I felt I could have been up there in the race". Neil's next outing is at Brands Hatch were the young Irishman made a big impression at last Octobers Festival. Having
successfully tested at the Kent circuit Neil is confident of a competitive run in the 4th round of the Slick 50 championship in a forthnight's time. Neil is currently lying 8th in the series Results Round 3
1. Ricardo Van der Ende - Netherlands - Van Diemen RF99 - 20:52.475
2. Marcos Ambrose - Australia - Ray 99Z - 20:52.659
3. Craig Murray - Great Britain - Mygale SJ99 - 20:53.860
4. Greg Caton - Great Britain - Van Diemen RF99 - 20:55.694
5. Robert Dahlgren - Sweden - Van Diemen RF99 - 20:56.259
6. James Courtney - Australia - Van Diemen RF99 - 20:57.128
Brands Hatch Qualifying Report
In qualifying today for the fourth round of the British Formula Ford Zetec
Championship at Brands Hatch, Neil set the 10th fastest time of the 1/2 hour session to put himself on the fifth row of the grid for tomorrow's 27 lap race. Asked about his run, which saw him qualify 3/10ths of a second off the
pole position time set by Denmark's Nicolas Kiesa, Neil replied, 'We made a number of changes to the car before qualifying which made the car harder to drive but I think we can rectify this for the race'. Commenting on his
prospects for the race Neil replied, 'If I get a good start anything is possible because I have 27 laps to try and pass the people ahead of me'. Having failed to make it past the first corner at the last race in Thruxton, Neil
will be hoping for better luck on the circuit he is most familiar with within the series. Round 4, Brands Hatch - Qualifying Times
1. Nicolas Kiesa - Denmark - Mygale SJ99 - 47.697
2. Greg Caton - Great Britain - Van Diemen RF99 - 47.715
3. Ricardo Van der Ende - Netherlands - Van Diemen RF99 - 47.783
4. Mark Taylor - Great Britain - Mygale SJ99 - 47.822
5.
6. Tom Sisley - Great Britain - Ray 99Z - 47.925
7. Craig Murray - Great Britain - Mygale SJ99 - 47.932
8. Gary Catt - Great Britain - Van Diemen RF99 - 48.031
9. Peter Gray - Great Britain - Van Diemen RF99 - 48.036
10. Neil Shanahan - Ireland - Van Diemen RF99 - 48.078
Sunday Race - 27 Laps, starts 16.40
Neil storms to fourth at Brands
At the Brands Hatch circuit, in Kent, England, yesterday Neil showed just why he is one of Ireland's most promising young sport stars when he stormed from 10th on the grid to finish an excellent 4th in the latest round of the British Formula
Ford Zetec Championship equalling his best result in the series to-date. Having made changes to the set-up of his work's Van Diemen RF99 following Saturday's qualifying session, he had a better balance on his Bachelor Inn
supported car for the 30 lap Brands Hatch encounter. Making one of his usual strong starts he moved up into eight position after the opening lap. Lap 13 saw him move up to sixth following the demise of Dutch team-mate Ricardo Van
der Ende and Britain's Greg Caton who both crashed out after making contact. This left the path clear for the 19 year old to catch the Mygale of Mark Taylor and Ray of Tom Sisley. On a charge Neil first drove around the outside of Taylor at
Druids Bend before stunning the 25,000 race-day spectators by overtaking Sisley around the outside at Paddock Hill Bend. Now up into fourth Neil could do little about third placed Frank Diefenbacher as the gap to the German was
too large to close over the latter stages of the race. Taking the chequered flag the Irishman earned a well deserved 4th place finishing as the top Van Diemen driver putting behind him the disappointment of a non finish in the previous round
of the championship at Thruxton. Commenting on the race Neil said, 'I had a really good race, the set-up on my car was much better than in qualifying and it felt good throughout the race.' Carrying an on-board camera, he
continued, 'I can't wait to see the passes I made on Mark Taylor and Tom Sisley, it should make for some really good television.' Neil's next championship outing is in two weeks time at the Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire (May
30/31) where he will be aiming to go one better and take his first podium finish of the season.
Results Round 4 1. Nicolas Kiesa - Denmark - Mygale SJ99 - 26:01.141
2. Craig Murray - Great Britain - Mygale SJ99 - 26:02.023
3.
4. Neil Shanahan - Ireland - Van Diemen RF99 - 26:08.841
5. Tom Sisley - Great Britain - Ray 99Z - 26:09.471
6. Robert Dahlgren - Sweden - Van Diemen RF99 - 26:11.759
7. James Courtney - Australia - Van Diemen RF99 - 26:14.674
8. Marius Erlandsen - Norway - Van Diemen RF99 - 26:15.016
Neil is Brands Hatch Race Ace
Following his two splendid overtaking manoeuvres at Brands Hatch yesterday when he drove around the outside of Mark Taylor and then Tom Sisley, Neil was awarded the Motoring News Race
Ace accolade by representatives of Motoring News and Ford. Neil upheld Irish honour at the Kent circuit with a blistering drive to fourth place in the fourth round of the Slick 50 Formula Ford Zetec Championship having carved his
way through the field from 10th on the grid.
New Partner joins Neil for Oulton Park
Neil will carry the name of a new partner this weekend when he races at Oulton Park in round 5 of the British Slick 50 Formula Ford Zetec Championship. The new partner
P + H Deveney Group, are the latest Irish company to give support to Neil's first season of racing outside of his home country. Having finished fourth in the last round of the championship at Brands Hatch a fortnight
ago where he also was voted the Motoring News Race Ace the 19 year old will be hoping to repay his latest partner by taking his first podium finish of the year.
Oulton Park Qualifying Report
In a wet qualifying at Oulton Park, in Cheshire, England, Neil set the 10th fastest
time of the shortened session and will start tomorrow's 18 lap race from the 5th row of the grid. Originally due to have 30 minutes in which to qualify, the session was cut to 20 minutes and ran almost 2 hours late after an
incident in qualifying for the BTCC race meant repairs were required to the circuit. Neil ran as high as 3rd in the session but dropped back to 12th. On his final lap he moved back up to 6th but within less than 30 seconds he was
pushed down to 10th. Having stormed his way from 10th on the grid to finish 4th at Brands Hatch a fortnight ago, Neil will be aiming to repeat his performance which saw him voted 'Motoring News Race Ace' for the event. Tomorrow's race is scheduled to start at 13.05
Round 5, Oulton Park - Qualifying times 1. Ricardo Van der Ende - Netherlands - Van Diemen RF99 - 1:08.773
2. Robert Dahlgren - Sweden - Van Diemen RF99 - 1:08.776
3. Nicolas Kiesa - Denmark - Mygale SJ99 - 1:08.813
4. Tom Sisley - Great Britain - Ray 99Z -
5. James Courtney - Australia - Van Diemen RF99 - 1:08.984
6.
Frank Diefenbacher - Germany - Mygale SJ99 - 1:09.228
7. Marcos Ambrose - Australia - Ray 99Z - 1:09.276
8. Mark Taylor - Great Britain - Mygale SJ99 - 1:09.457
9. Peter Gray - Great Britain - Van Diemen RF99 - 1:09.519
10. Neil Shanahan - Ireland - Van Diemen RF99 - 1:09.593
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