by Linda Keen - Brands Hatch Official Programme - 24th – 25th October 1998

Win or lose the Irish have traditionally made an impression at Brands Hatch, during the Formula Ford Festival – If not on the track certainly in the Kentagon. An Irishman’s name has graced the magnificent trophy on several occasions. Derek Daly (1976), Michael Rowe (1978), Tommy Byme (1981), Eddie Irvine (1987)and Kevin McGarrity (1995).

Since Zetec started in Ireland last year, the Emerald isle has produced some talented young chargers and none more so than 19-year old Dubliner, Neil Shanahan, this year’s Ford of Ireland Formula Ford Champion and one of the Irish World Cup squad this weekend. Supported by PaIfinger. BIaupunkt and Stena Line.

Neil won six out of the 12 rounds in his Mick Merrigan-run Van DIemen RF98. Very much a thinking young driver, Shanahan dominated the DHL Star of Tomorrow FF1600 series last year and was also the Dunlop RIAC Sexton Driver of the Year. Intent on a season out of Ireland next year, Shanahan is expected to make a strong showing at Brands this weekend.

 

by Andrew Murphy - The Title - 18th October 1998

Nineteen-year-old Neil Shanahan set out for Brands Hatch last Wednesday morning on what will be the most important two weeks in is short and successful racing career. With six wins to his credit this year the teenager has won three times more races than his nearest rivals here and his success rate compares favourably with the best in Britain and Europe.

His parents, Liam and Mary, will be, urging him on from the trackside as they have done at all the races he has driven.

“The meetings I’m driving in at Brands are the two most important races so far in my career so I’ve been preparing mentally for them over the last few weeks,” said the redhaired teenager.

“I don’t really know what to expect of the other drivers as I’ve never raced against them but I believe that the Irish series was very competitive and that I will be able to mix it at the top with the other Formula Ford Zetec champions from around the world,” said the confident Shanahan.

“I’m very focused on winning both the Eurocup today and helping Ireland win the world finals next weekend. I learn tracks easily, so if I get on pace quickly can match the performance of top European and British drivers.

“Earlier this year I arranged sponsorship from Red Bull and their Irish representative, Daniel Schwalh, told me the company wants to establish a long-term association with me which could lead to me joining the Red Bull F3000 junior team,” said Shanahan.

He joins Philip Kehoe (New Ross) and Mark O’Connor (Naas) to represent Ireland in the Formula Ford World Finals next weekend.

 

by Mark Hayes - Irish Daily Star (Front page and Inside article) - 9th September 1998

If willpower and self-belief are a necessity for success. Neil Shanahan should be unbeatable.

He is not arrogant – he just knows he is the fastest driver in Ireland. And the teenager from the South Dublin suburb of Churchtown, who has dominated this year’s Ford of Ireland Formula Ford Zetec Championship believes he can go all the way to the top.

“Well, Formula One is the aim. It has to be, but obviously a career as a professional driver is what I see myself achieving. I have great support from my parents, so I know that I have some time to try and make it happen,” he said.

Shanahan who is presently the only driver to win more than one race in Formula Ford this season, earlier this month celebrated his fifth win out of nine races. He is on 87 points with his nearest rival, former champion Chris Paul, on 75.

Pleasantly easy going, Shanahan has taken Irish motor racing by storm in the last two seasons. His emergence has been so spectacular that those in the know believe he could be the next big name bound for international stardom.

Former Formula one driver and current RTE Grand Prix pundit David Kennedy is bowled over by Shanahan’s potential.

“I saw him display the most amazing composure in winning a race at Mondello Park this year,” said Kennedy. “He was following Chris Paul, a very fine driver, and the way he paced himself and probed for Paul’s weak spot throughout the race, before launching his attack at just the right moment, was masterful.”

His team manager Michael Merrigan, known in racing circles as a skillful talent spotter is another big fan.

“Neil is one of the best young racers I’ve seen for many a year. He has great car control, sensitivity and tactical awareness. He also has the right mental attitude to his racing and works as hard outside the car as he does in it.”

As well as having the talent on track the Leaving Cert student is remarkably committed for one of such tender years.

“As well as the fitness aspect I’ve taken part in a number of public speaking and presentation skills courses. This is an expensive sport and I want to impress the right people on my way to the top. I’m in the gym most days and I also do quite a bit of running and cycling in fact, if I wasn’t racing cars I’d love to compete in downhill mountain bike races. But I have to take that bit easier after writing off a bike last year in the Dublin mountains. I was lucky I didn’t write off myself in the process!” he said.

On excepting the prestigious Sexton Trophy for winning the 1997 Dunlop Driver of the Year, he amazed all present with the composure of his acceptance speech.

So what are Shanahan’s immediate plans?

“The plan is to go racing abroad full time next year, probably in England. I haven’t really had time to weigh up the pros and cons of the various championships, but I’ll be looking closely at Formula Palmer Audi, Formula Renault Sport and Formula Ford Zetec again. But first for the Ford of Ireland title!”

 

Southside People West - 27th May 1998

Neil Shanahan (18), from Churchtown, has extended his lead in the Ford of Ireland Formula Ford Zetec Championship after winning the sixth round of the series yesterday at Mondello Park.

The Bachelor Inn/Blaupunkt backed driver took the win on the new international circuit which was in use for the first time at last week’s Super Prix meeting.

Neil, who is currently doing his Leaving Certificate in St. Mary’s College, Rathmines, qualified on the second row of the grid in fourth spot. But we made a superb start to the nine-lap race, getting the jump on both the pole sitter Philip Kehoe, and third spot driver George McAlpin. This put him in second position behind Chris Paul.

The RIAC Dunlop Driver of the Year made a number of attempts to pass his championship rival Paul, but it wasn’t until lap 5 on the newest part of the circuit that he could pull off a certain move for the lead.

Once passed. Neil opened up a gap from Paul with the veteran driver unable to respond to the youngster’s charge.

Cheered on from the pit lane by his parents Liam and Mary, and the Mick Merrigan Motorsport team, Neil crossed the line two seconds ahead of Paul to take his third win of the season.

In setting the fastest lap of the race, Neil established the lap record for the fastest ever lap in Formula Ford Zetec, thereby getting a bonus championship point.

This result puts the talented youngster three points ahead of Chris Paul in the championship, with PhIlip Kehoe a distant third.

Commenting on the race Neil said: “The race was like a reverse of the last race in Pembroke, where I led, and Chris was on my gearbox all the way round. The only difference was that this time I managed to get passed Chris. lt’s great to win the first race on a new circuit and become it’s first lap record holder,” he added.

And fortunately for Neil his next race is not until June 21st, which means that he has plenty of time to do some studying for his upcoming exams.

 

by Andrew Murphy - Motorsport - 17th May 1998

Life is hectic for Neil Shanahan at present. The teenager from Churchtown, who sits his Leaving Certificate next month, is finding it hard to combine exam studies with a racing programme that takes up all his spare time.

He swept all before him last season, his first year in single seater racing. His scalps included the coveted RIAC Dunlop Sexton Trophy and the DHL Star of Tomorrow championship. This year he sat down with his parents Liam and Mary and mentor Michael Merrigan before deciding to move up a rung to the Zetec class.

“I had it easy last year scoring nine wins from ten starts compared with this year. The sheer competitiveness of the Zetecs is awesome. I couldn’t believe it when I started in the class,” he said. “All the cars are evenly matched and any one of the four drivers could take the title this year. There is more pressure on you throughout the race. The Zetec is a more physical and faster car to drive and fitness is all important, so I go to Fiarsland Gym every second day to maintain the high level of fitness needed to be a winner. The two races I won this year had Chris Paul behind me all the way. He is vastly experienced and I’m a Zetec rookie yet I beat him”

It is ironic that Chris Paul showed Neil the lines to take at Kirkistown on his first visit to the track last year – and twice the pupil led the teacher home.

“The Irish Zetec class is just as competitive as the British class. Four hundredths of a second separated the first three in qualifying at Pembrey last month. You wouldn’t get much closer in any racing class. My main aim is to win the championship and be in the World Finals at Brands Hatch in October. But the championship is so competitive it could go down to the wire,” said the ginger haired student. “ My plan is to use of the Stena Line travel package I won last year and take in some British rounds. But that can’t happen until after the exams next month. It’s going to be hard as two of those rounds I’m looking at don’t really suit.”

He sees Philip Kehoe, Chris Paul, Peter Walsh and Mark O’Connor as his most serious challengers today.

“I have a reputation to live up to. Having No.1 on my car puts more pressure on me to continue winning. Rest assured no one will be trying harder,” said Neil.

Today is an important day for Mondello park as they mark their 30th anniverary and the opening of the new international 2.25 miles circuit. It will reverberate to the sound of Formula 1 and F3000 cars in the Superprix feature race.

Nigel Greensall is a favourite to take the honours in his Tyrrell-Judd, but he faces a strong challenge from last year’s winner Ron Cummings, Tony Worswick, Paul Stoddart and Rob Gray. Sarah Kavanagh is also listed to drive an F1 Jordon. The battle for F3000 honours will centre on Duncan Gray and Dave Shelton, both in Reynards.

 

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