The Irish Drift Festival 2024 - Rosegreen
Tipperary raceway, better known as Rosegreen was alive once more with the sound of screeching tyres. The Irish Drift Festival took place Sunday July 28th, back at the famous Rosebowl where it all began. The sunshine brought the crowds and the action kicked off nice and early as some of the greatest past and present drivers came to play.
Tipperary Raceway open since 1981 - Credit Shift AM
Rosegreen is the birthplace of drifting culture in Ireland. The first drifting event first took place in 2003, drifting events were regularly featured there until 2008. The festival brought a serious theme of nostalgia for those who would have attended in the golden days. Some of the drivers to earn their stripes in Rosegreen include Mike Deane, James Deane, Darren McNamara, Tomas Kiely and Jack Shanahan to name a few.
James Deane back where his career began - Credit Meghan Roycroft @driven_by_cameras
Eric O Sullivan and Adrian Walsh hit the track first in an old school battle. Memories came flooding in for the drivers and spectators as the smoke filled the track. Days gone past when drifting was a regular feature in Rosegreen and chicken filet rolls didn’t cost your firstborn child. While the golden days were fondly remembered, the future of the Irish car culture made an appearance with a demonstration from the Ninja carts. The young drivers racing in the demonstration ranged from age 6 to 10 years old and put on a great display for the crowds of spectators.
The 16 drivers faced a Superlap initially, a one and done situation to determine the positions. The drivers were not playing around and each and every one of them hit the track with ferocity and precision. Rosegreen allows you to get almost within touching distance of the cars as they roar past you kicking up clouds of smoke and dust as they fly by, adding some rubber sprinkles to an ice cream if you happen to be enjoying a 99 and some drifting.
Owen Magner and Jack Shanahan in Craig Searle's S14 - credit Meghan Roycroft @driven_by_cameras
Once the superlap was over, it was time for the battles. The title of Champion of Champions was up for grabs in the first ever Irish Drift Festival. The electricity was in the air as the drivers went head to head in a knockout, winner drifts on style of competition. The driving showcased was simply outstanding as the track was filled with smoke repeatedly. The new blood certainly gave the veterans a run for their money despite it being the first time driving the track for some.
James Deane returned to where his journey began and brought his RX7 to the Rosebowl, his last time drifting in Tipperary saw him win the last drift event ever held there in May 2008. Mike Deane and Jillian Smith took to the track in a Rally vs Drift demonstration in memory of Paul Mulcahy, putting on a spectacular show for the whole track. Before the final four faced off against each other, Darren ‘DMac’ McNamara unleashed the Group-D Audi Quattro to show us exactly how the old school boys roll.
Kevin Quinn and Alan Hynes battling in the final four credit - Meghan Roycroft @driven_by_cameras
With that, after a spectacular top 16, and a show stopping great 8, the final four faced off against each other. The battles were as follows, Kevin Quinn vs Alan hynes and Jack Shanahan vs Jakub Krzyszczak. Tyres screeched and engines roared as our skilled drivers clashed for the title of champion of champions in the oval. The hunger for victory could be felt from the sidelines as we reached the finale of the event. In a very rare moment of calm, the news from the judges tower came in, a winner had been decided. The final results were ready to be announced as the podiums began rolling in.
Kevin Quinn, fresh from Goodwood, was the man who took it all home at the Irish Drift Festival 2024. Kevin was crowned the winner and champion of chamions. Alan Hynes took second place, Jack Shanahan took the third spot on the podium and Jakub Krzyszczak showing he is a Pro2 with Pro skills placed fourth.
Kevin Quinn, Alan Hynes and Jack Shanahan at the Irish Drift Festival in Rosegreen credit - Meghan Roycroft @driven_by_cameras
The event ran flawlessly through the day. The long awaited Irish summer decided to show up for the day, the crowds couldn’t have asked for better. The celebration of 20 years of Irish drifting was a day for the books. What began in Rosegreen has continued throughout the country, bringing a new generation of drivers and fans along for the ride. The future is bright for Irish drifting, as this little island is full to the brim with exceptional talent. What does the future hold for the sport? We’ll talk about that when we hit the 50 years of Irish Drifting.
