by Joe O’Shea – Irish Daily Star – 1st June 1999

An Irish motor racing star – tipped as the next Eddie Irvine – was killed yesterday in a horror racetrack smash. Neil Shanahan’s car hit the retaining barrier at high speed as his parents watched in shock from the stand at Oulton Park in Cheshire, England. He was rushed to hospital by helicopter but died despite frantic efforts by medical staff to revive him.

Horror

Neil (19) – a native of Churchtown on Dublin’s southside – was one of the brightest stars of Formula Ford racing. Motorsport commentator John Kenny last night spoke of his own grief at the loss of a talented young star who was also his friend.

“It’s a terrible shock, a real tragedy. He was destined for Formula One, there is no doubt about it,” he said.

The brightest young star of Irish motor racing was tragically killed yesterday in an accident – as his parents looked on. Dubliner Neil Shanahan (19) sustained fatal injuries during a Formula Ford Championship race at Outlon Park racecourse in England. His parents were at the trackside to watch their son compete – his father Liam had followed his career throughout Britain and Ireland.

They travelled with their son by helicopter to a nearby hospital where medics lost the battle to save his life.

Officials were last night trying to establish the exact circumstances of the accident. Shanahan – from Churchtown in Dublin – hit the retaining barriers on a high-speed bend after an incident involving two other cars.

Battle

The youngster’s tragic death has shocked Irish motor sport – he began his career in Karting when he was just 13.

Commentator John Kenny last night spoke of his own grief at the loss of a talented young star who was also his friend.

“It’s a terrible shock, a real tragedy, Neil was a good friend,” said Kenny. “He was destined for Formula One, there is no doubt about it.”

Mr Kenny added that the thoughts of everybody in the sport were now with Neil’s devastated family. His family had made many sacrifices to fund his motorsport ambitions and had been present at all his major races.

Officials from the Ford Motorsport operation last night said everything had been done at trackside to aid the stricken driver

Family

“Medical officers were called immediately to the scene where it was discovered that Neil had suffered a massive trauma which induced cardiac arrest. He was resuscitated at the scene and immediately airlifted to the Countess of Chester Hospital, but tragically died before arriving.

“The cause of the accident and subsequent injury has yet to be established. This was a deep tragic incident and out thoughts are obviously with Neil’s family, friends and team at this moment,” said a spokesperson.

Officials at Oulton Race Track said the accident occurred at approximately 1.20pm.

The Formula Ford Championship is widely recognised as a rung on the ladder to Formula One, with Eddie Irvine, David Coulthard and Damon Hill all graduating through this formula.

Neil Shanahan – who had a works drive with the Van Diemen team – was being widely tipped as the next young star to make the jump to the top grade.

He had twice won the prestigious Dunlop Driver of the Year Award.

 

Leave a Comment