Shanahan’s Brands New Challenge0

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.