The 1999 RDS, Dublin Motorsport Show

The RDS in Dublin was the venue for the biggest Motorsport International to be ever held in Ireland. There was something for everyone: the Jordan 1999 was on display, and for those who wanted to have a go at motorsport, there was an indoor karting track to test your driving skills.

The radio controlled cars club set up a race track and were demonstrating the radio controlled cars. I was surprised to see what speed these cars really can travel at. The Kenwood sound challenge was a feature of the motorshow for cars with highly modified and expensive sound systems. There was over fifty cars on display pumping out music to keep the crowds entertained.

RPM who televise motorsport in Ireland were at the show and were talking to some of Ireland's top motorsport celebrities, the stars included Billy Coleman, Andrew Nesbitt and Rosemary Smith. Motorsport Ireland also organised a rallysprint, which was great entertainment for the drivers and spectators.

The rallysprint was held to promote rallying in Ireland to the general public who don't usually attend rallies. The course consisted of three timed runs around the car park of the grounds. There was two runs on Saturday and two on Sunday. The fastest time went to Micheal Barrable in his Toyota Celica GT4, but the fastest over the four runs was Daniel Doherthy in his ex - Simon Jean-Joeseph Subaru Impreza. The Donegal man was excellent all weekend and really put on a great show for the spectators. Also pleasing the crowds were John Tracey in his ever sideways yellow MK 2 Escort and Rory Gallagin in his Peugeot 106. Billy Coleman was behind the wheel again in a MK2 Escort, the Cork man who has now retired from rallying put on a good performance, Andrew Nesbitt and Niall Maguire were also driving the same Escort.

I think the show was a success considering it was the first of it's type in Ireland, and I hope there will be more shows like it in Ireland in the near future.

Story and photographs by Alan Kelly. Email your comments and suggestions.

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