2004 Irish Club Calendar

Kirkstown is a bit of a haul from Cork, but I'm game for Mondello alright, regardless of date, track configuration, or price, as long as it doesn't stray past E175ish...

I was at the Drifting competition in Rosegreen on Sunday (as a spectator)... there was a red Northern reg E34 M5 that was stunning, and the guy took 3 right handers of varying radius in one continuous very sideways slide - it's fantastic to see. 3 series are the car of choice for it - alot of 318is, although there was a H reg 3 that I presume was once a 318is that was debadged, emptied out, braid fuel lines and fancy handbrake , but a look under the bonnet revealed a 4 cylinder M3 lump. Nice. It was on lock stops down the straight too.

Rosegreen is just on the Cork side of Cashel.

About 60 cars competed - majority were 3s or 'Tincan' Twincams, a few 200SXs are popping up, a couple of RX7s, there was a 750iL the last time(!) but the circuit is too tight for it. A couple of E36 M3s, an E34 M5, last Xmas there were new M3s from England doing demos.

The 3000GT that was at Murphy & Gunn service managers Mondello day was there too - alas he blew the thing up! I think it was front diff or gearbox, as oil and debris fell out of that area (it happened right in front of me).

Two of the best drivers are brothers in a Sierra and Granada respectfully - the things they do in modest machinery has to be seen.

yup - Robbies - couldn't remember his name. He had a bit of craic in that 530i alright.

I can't wait to get out on a track again! I changed my wheels to a set of 17" Alpina replicas - the previous 17s had the incorrect offset and while they looked great and filled the arches to a tee, the drive wasn't there, not to mention making my steering creak something savage.

The new set has made a significant difference to turn in and balance near the limit, so it'll be good to see how it drives past the limit of grip. And they look the biz.

and where exactly is it?