Garage Trader Vol 5 2019/2020 by Greer publications

GARAGE IRELAND Vol 5 19/20

Shelbourne Motors officially launches new multi-brand Newry showroom garageTRADER

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GARAGE IRELAND

GaraGe ireland

GaraGe ireland Vol 5 19/20

Vol 5 19/20

CONTENTS Vol 5 19/20 Vol 1 2019

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(UK £18.00 Outside UK £27.50)

The 2020 Budget announced recently by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, contained a number of measures specific to motoring designed to help the industry and the motor trade.

SPECIAL FEATURE

Shelbourne Motors: PAGE 23

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The MECTEC show at FG7’s headquarters near Cookstown was a massive success. With over 3500 attendees and a wide range of trade stands there was plenty to keep the motor trade entertained.

George and Jamie McMillan: We talk to the father and son team about the motor trade, autotesting and working in the World Rally Championship.

Mirka: Mirka is a family-owned Finnish company and a world leader in abrasives technology innovation.

TO ADVERTISE IN THE MAGAZINE General Manager CALL: (028) 9278 0108 Gladys Greer REGARDING EDITORIAL gladysgreer@greerpublications.com CALL: (028) 9278 0108

Garage Trader Magazine

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There was fun on the fairways when NGK Ltd held its annual Golf Day. Winner of the low handicap section and the NGK Shield was Eric ‘Junior’ Reid from Colin Adams Motor Parts in Newtownards with 37 points.

Shelbourne Motors: Shelbourne Motors has officially opened its new £5million multi-brand complex in Newry. The state-ofthe-art facility features Renault, Dacia and Kia showrooms, and a purpose-built Autoselect Used Car Supermarket.

COMMENT

The 2020 Budget has included some measures specific to the motor trade in the hopes of improving new car sales which dropped by a further 6.8% in 2019. SIMI Director General Brian Cooke commented that, “In the context of both an already depressed new car market and the likely impact of Brexit, there is a real fear that car sales will further deteriorate that will only slow down the renewal of Ireland’s car fleet, which is vital in our attempt to drive down emissions. In this regard, SIMI is relieved that the Minister has not increased VRT for new cars in Budget 2020.” Total new car registrations for 2019 finished at 117,100 6.8% down on 2018. Imported Used Cars have reach record numbers for a second year. 113,926 used imports were registered an increase of 13.1%. 3,444 new electric cars were registered in 2019 in comparison to 1,233 in 2018. Diesel remains the most popular engine type, while hybrid, electric and plug-in hybrid gained -Pat Burns, Editor market share in 2019. -Pat Burns, Editor

Editor Pat Burns patburns@greerpublications.com

Greer Publications © 2020. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of Greer Publications.

Shelbourne MotorS officially launcheS new Multi-brand newry ShowrooM

Publishers James & Gladys Greer Designed by Shaun Byrne, Design Stics

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NEWS

Suzuki Dealer of the Year Awards

uzuki Ireland has crowned the winners of its 2019 Dealer of the Year awards. The trophies were presented by Dale Wyatt, Director of Automobile at Suzuki GB PLC, during a ceremony at the vehicle manufacturer’s dealer conference at Adare Manor in County Limerick. The annual event, which gathers together representatives from across the country’s network, recognise dealerships that have exceeded their goals and gone the extra mile to ensure an exceptional customer experience. Brownes Suzuki in Milford, County Donegal, run by husband and wife team, Barry and Brid, for the last 20 years, emerged victorious to win the Sales Dealer of the Year award. They received the accolade in recognition of their hard work and dedication to the franchise, which has led to consistently strong sales performances in their region. The trophy was also bestowed to the family-run car retailer for their active role in the local area during the past two decades. The family-owned Cassidy Motors

business in County Mayo, which has Suzuki sales and service locations in both Charlestown and Ballina, repeated their success of 2018, claiming the Aftersales Dealer of the Year award for the second time. Established by Des and Carmel Cassidy, the 20-yearold Suzuki franchise, which is now run by the pair’s son and daughter, Jason Cassidy and Michelle Rowley, was praised for its proactive approach and customer first philosophy, so as to ensure complete satisfaction. Presenting the awards, Dale Wyatt, Director of Automobile at Suzuki GB PLC, said: “We would like to congratulate both winners for their fantastic achievements, and all dealers as a whole, as they have worked tirelessly for our brand during the last 12 months.

Without this high level of commitment to our brand, Suzuki would not be in the strong position that it is now as we head towards 2020. We are very proud of our network and look forward to enjoying further success together as we embark on a new decade.”

Dale Wyatt (Director of Automobile, Suzuki GB PLC), Junita Fernandez (Director of Finance and Corporate Operations, Suzuki GB PLC), Brid and Barry Browne (Brownes Suzuki), Nobuo Suyama (Managing Director, Suzuki GB PLC) and Denis Houston (Director of Aftersales, Suzuki GB PLC).

Dale Wyatt (Director of Automobile, Suzuki GB PLC), Junita Fernandez (Director of Finance and Corporate Operations, Suzuki GB PLC), Michelle Rowley and Jason Cassidy (Cassidy Motors), Nobuo Suyama (Managing Director, Suzuki GB PLC) and Denis Houston (Director of Aftersales, Suzuki GB PLC).

New Suzuki Dealer for Drogheda

uzuki Ireland is pleased to announce that Drogheda Car Sales, in County Louth, will be opening the doors to their newly-built standalone state-of-theart Suzuki showroom in January 2020. The construction of the light and spacious six-car dealership in Drogheda, which is nearing completion after a five-month project, follows the recent appointment of the family-owned and award-winning Doran Motors Carrickmacross business to operate the franchise in this region. Drogheda Car Sales Ltd is going from strength to strength as it is in the process of building it’s new Suzuki showroom next door to its existing successful Hyundai Showroom on the North Road in Drogheda, where it has been in operation since 2012. During the final stages of the build, customers can continue to purchase a new Suzuki or have their car maintained

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at the existing temporary facility on the North Road. Drogheda Car Sales serves a catchment area covering the counties of Louth and Meath, and the forthcoming 200 squaremetre glass-fronted building has been designed to offer visitors a memorable buying experience in a contemporary setting. It includes a six -car display, a dedicated customer vehicle handover bay, as well as a hospitality lounge with complementary Wi-Fi and refreshments, plus a showcase of the vehicle manufacturer’s very latest accessories. Furthermore, current and prospective Suzuki owners will be hosted by a knowledgeable and experienced team to assist with purchases, test drives, vehicle maintenance and parts sales. Motorists will equally have access to on-site service and repair bays, and an external forecourt lined with Approved Used Suzuki cars.

Dale Wyatt, Director of Automobile at Suzuki GB PLC, explained: “We are very proud to be associated with Drogheda Car Sales, a coveted retail group that has become renowned for their exceptional standard of service and high level of customer satisfaction. The significant sums that they have

invested in the new Drogheda dealership, highlights Doran Motors’ serious commitment to our brand, and the value that they place in the long-term sales potential of our current and forthcoming products. We wish them every success as they start this new chapter.”

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NEWS

2020 Budget helps Irish Motor Industry T

he 2020 Budget announced recently by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, contained a number of measures specific to motoring designed to help the industry and the motor trade.

Commenting on Budget 2020, SIMI Director General Brian Cooke said that“In the context of both an already depressed new car market and the likely impact of Brexit, there is a real fear that car sales will further deteriorate that will only slow down the renewal of Ireland’s car fleet, which is vital in our attempt to drive down emissions. In this regard, SIMI is relieved that the Minister has not increased VRT for new cars in Budget 2020.” The 2020 Budget measures include No changes to CO2 element of VRT in 2020. VRT will continue to be based on NEDC for 2020. Replacement of 1 per cent diesel

surcharge with a nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions based charge. This surcharge will apply to all passenger cars registered for the first time in the State from 1 January 2020.

Extend the Benefit-In-Kind zero rate on electric vehicles to 2022 Extend VRT reliefs for conventional and plug in hybrids to 2020, subject to CO2 thresholds; Provide additional relief through the Diesel Rebate Scheme to hauliers to compensate that sector for the increased cost of fuel. Increase of the carbon levy on motor fuels of €6, adding €2 for a tank full of either petrol or diesel. This will increase the cost of doing business in Ireland. Introduce an environmental rationale for Benefit In Kind for commercial vehicles from 2023; Reduce qualifying CO2 thresholds

Brian Cooke Director General SIMI check out the website: www.garagetrader.co.uk

for reliefs in respect of Capital Allowances and VAT reclaim on commercial vehicles.

has recognised that newer vehicle technology is cleaner and better for the fleet.

“The replacement of the 1% diesel surcharge introduced last year on new cars with a nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions-based charge to all passenger cars registering for the first time in the State from 1 January 2020 is a welcome announcement,” said SIMI Director General Brian Cooke. “The NOx charge will impact on older higher emitting cars which, unlike last year’s diesel surcharge, will penalise older cars with higher levels of pollutants. The Minister

“In addition, the extension of the BIK relief for Electric Vehicles out to 2022 will incentivise the choice of electric cars for companies for the duration of the normal 3 year replacement cycle. This Budget does allow the Industry some breathing space in what is likely to be a challenging 2020. It is now important that the Industry and Government use this time to work closely together to in relation to VRT into the future and the drive towards zero-emissions.” garageTRADER - 5

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NEWS

NGK hosts a special reunion Hiroaki Uozumi, Assistant to President, NGK EMEA, Tammy Suzuki, Managing Director, NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, Stewart Neill, Area Manager (Ireland), NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, Shinichi Odo, Representative Director, Chairman of the Board, NGK Japan, and Norbert Reilly, former owner of P R Reilly in Dublin

Until recently P R Reilly had been an Irish distributor of all NGK products for more than 35 years while Stewart Neill has completed 30 years working for the Japanese manufacturer in Ireland. All three first met back in the early 1990s when Mr Odo was working as an NGK sales representative for NGK’s German office. He, along with Stewart Neill, was responsible for the growth in Southern Ireland of NGK through P R Reilly before responsibility for the Southern Ireland market transferred from NGK in Germany to NGK UK in 1992 after which Stewart continued his duties in helping NGK become the number one spark plug in the world.

gnition specialist NGK has played host to a special reunion of people who helped establish the market-leading brand in Ireland. Mr Shinichi Odo, Representative Director, Chairman of the Board, NGK Japan, flew into Dublin from Japan during October for a reunion with two old friends and acknowledged their hard work and service for NGK for more than 30

years. Norbert Reilly, who retired recently from his P R Reilly business in Dublin, and Stewart Neill, Area Manager (Ireland), NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, enjoyed a dinner with Mr Odo and two other senior management members of NGK, Hiroaki Uozumi, Assistant to President, NGK EMEA, and Tammy Suzuki, Managing Director,

NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, who joined the group for what was an enjoyable evening in south Dublin.

Commenting after the event, Norbert Reilly said: “It was a fantastic gesture for Mr Odo to take the time to come to Dublin to say thank you to myself and Stewart. We had a good night discussing the old times from many years ago, swapping many funny stories.”

Connolly Motor Group opens SEAT Dealership in Sligo

Ryans Automotive become Sice Distributor

nniscorthy based Ryans Automotive recently announced that they are now Republic of Ireland distributors for Sice Automotive Equipment (Part of Nexion Group).

While Sice Wheel Alignment Equipment is well known across the world for many years, the new PROADAS ADAS Calibration Equipment represents an exciting new product for Nexion Group.

Sice is a well recognised and well respected company which manufactures a range of equipment for the modern workshop. Their CCD and Camera alignment systems and new Proadas Adas calibration system are available through Ryans Automotive. Sice is a Italian company which was founded 1964 and is based in Correggio, Italy, and is part of Nexion Group, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of workshop equipment.

ADAS is an exciting opportunity for workshops with over 40% of vehicles to have at least two forms of ADAS fitted by 2020 and all new registered vehicles by 2022.

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The Nexion Group ProAdas system is set to be far more advanced,user friendly and time efficient than any other Adas unit on the market, while maintaining a very competitive price point. Live Demonstrations will be coming soon.

eat Ireland has announced Connolly Motor Group in Sligo as the latest dealer to join the 24 strong network, marking another significant step in the expansion for the brand. This new addition to the Seat dealer network comes after the brand recently reported its highest sales figures in 19 years. The dealership will be the first Seat dealership to open in Sligo and will host the full range. Ten new full-time jobs will be created as a result of the opening, bringing the total number of employees of the Connolly Motor Group to 280.

Since opening its first dealership in Ballina in 1939, Connolly Motor Group, has had continuous growth with dealerships in Mayo, Galway and Sligo. The family-owned group offer sales and aftersales in both passenger and commercial vehicles and specialise in used vehicle sales. The new dealership will be led by Dealer Principal Neil Connolly and his team Brand Manager Padraic Gallagher, Sales Executives Morgan O’Reilly and Niall Taylor, After Sales Manager Shane Rochford and Service Advisor Martina Blee.

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NEWS

SIMI Women in the Motor Industry Pictured L to R: SIMI President Gabriel Keane, Guest Speaker Alison Comyn IFTA-Winning Journalist and Broadcaster, Breege O’Donoghue, Former Primark Board Member & Group Director Chair-Business & Human Rights Implementation Group, Real World Analytics, Design & Craft Council Ireland, Mary Kennedy, Master of Cermonies.

he Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) hosted its 6th annual Women@SIMI event in conjunction with its sponsor Bank of Ireland, recently in the Clayton Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. The event had its largest attendance to date with over 160 professional women from a variety of different sectors within the Motor Industry in Ireland. Delivering an impressive panel of guest speakers. Breege O’Donoghue, Former Primark Board Member & Group Director, Chair-Business & Human Rights Implementation Group, Real World Analytics, Design & Craft Council Ireland said “In whatever role one plays in leadership be true to oneself show courage independence initiative, appreciate the need to recognise, respect and value differences, blend passion, persistence and

tenacity. Know right from wrong be ethically aware, be satisfied with only the very best. Do not be clouded in power and status but generous in heart and spirit and yes, it is encouragement and love that inspired people to success and be happy the world over”. Alison Comyn, IFTA-Winning journalist and Broadcaster, shared her passionate insight into the

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world of media with over 25 years of experience in the business. Speaking on the difficulties of Journalism today, Alison felt that it is still a worthwhile and necessary job. As a journalist you have a responsibility to tell a story and write the truth. The two tenets I like to live by is integrity and principle and it is very hard to find in journalism these

days. Fake news is possibly the worst phrase that we will ever hear in our life time because where is the integrity and what do you leave. Hopefully there are people trying to pass on to a new generation these principles, of truth and morality as they really do matter.Alison’s advice to all present was to there is no such word as can’t. “Always be as true to yourself as you possibly can, don’t be afraid to take chances, if the opportunities are there grab them with both hands and take them. If the opportunities aren’t there, make them for yourself.” Gabriel Keane President of SIMI addressing attendees “While there are many challenges currently facing our Industry, we must not lose sight of the contribution made by the 47,300 people that work in the Irish Motor Industry that continue to keep Ireland moving. I am proud to be a part of our dynamic Industry and to be here today to support women in business garageTRADER - 7

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MEYLE Impressive repair solution by MEYLE: ABS sensor kit for a targeted replacement

ith a new MEYLE KIT, Hamburg manufacturer offers another costsaving repair solution in line with the current market value: the ABS sensor kit in quality enables targeted replacement of the defective ABS sensor and the sensor ring – a solution that’s currently only available through. Up until recently, if an ABS sensor had been damaged by a defective sensor ring, it would have been necessary to replace the entire wheel hub, which is expensive for both the driver and workshop. The comprising ABS sensor, sensor ring and installation materials can help: most of the time, the wheel hub is still fully functional and can be used. This solution is currently available for the vehicles Audi A3, VW Golf, VW Jetta, SEAT Altea and SEAT Leon, whose ABS

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sensor ring on OE wheel hubs can be replaced separately using the two new references can cover a car park of nearly 4 million vehicles in Europe. With the two new references expanding its electronics portfolio to include additional high-quality spare parts that drivers around the world can rely on. When it comes to expanding the range, focuses first and foremost on quality and an accurate fit. ‘ We as a manufacturer want to offer our customers a portfolio that also lives up to high quality standards for electronics across the board. With our extensive aftermarket expertise, we’re well prepared for trends and developments such as electric mobility and autonomous driving and are expanding our portfolio in many directions,’ says

Dominik Overmann, Head of the Electronics & Sensors Product Team. All electronic parts fulfil OE specifications 100% and are only incorporated into the portfolio after extensive functional testing, with additional focus on the quality of data. Thanks to detailed research on application and vehicle data, guarantees an accurate fit – a key criterion that enables fast and correct parts identification for workshops and minimises return costs. ‘Particularly in electronics, the right data forms the basis for selecting the appropriate parts for models and thus ensuring seamless communication between components,’ explains Overmann. Practical helper for everyday workshop operations: ABS detector card, ABS detector card is a practical helper for everyday

workshop operations, promoting fast identification of ABS sensor ring defects. The card can be used for a whole host of applications, including testing magnetic sensor rings, identifying the installation side of a wheel bearing with integrated sensor ring and revealing sensor ring damage. This, in turn, simplifies the time-consuming process of searching for defects and failures and allows more time for subsequent steps. That’s because sensor rings have been integrated into more and more car parts such as crankshafts and wheel bearings for years. These compact sensor rings for measuring speed and position are used in many vehicles. These days, most wheel bearings are equipped with a magnetic sensor ring.

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PPP

Shipping of waste tyres to India to be banned C

ustomers in tyre depots rarely consider what happens to their old tyres when they purchase a new set, but this about to change…

In many instances, old tyres are shipped out to India where they are burnt, but new legislation in India looks set to ban this happening. India’s National Green Tribunal has directed the country’s Central Pollution Control Board to regulate the import of waste tyres, to prevent India from becoming a dumping ground for highly polluting hazardous waste material from other nations. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stated that he wants to ban the export of UK waste tyres to India. Portglenone company PPP are registered to safely and legally dispose of old tyres. Peter O’Kane is the managing director of PPP and he commented that, “With PPP managing your waste tyres you can have peace of mind that your waste stream is fully documented from collection to disposal insuring

your company fulfils its responsibility by disposing of its waste tyres at an approved and fully licenced facility. “The correct processing of used tyres minimises the impact on the environment and converts them into a useful, sustainable and valuable commodities and benefits the economy. However, this is only possible if used tyres are returned to responsible retailers who abide by a strict code of conduct and practice.

“To avoid used tyres entering illegal waste storage sites, it is the retailers’ responsibility to ensure their waste is transferred to an authorised waste carrier and check their transfer documentation to determine the end facility that will ultimately receive their material is licenced and is actually affiliated to that carrier. Your duty of care for the material you generate is not discharged simply transferring it to a carrier. “With PPP managing your waste tyres you can have peace of mind that your waste stream is fully

L-R Paddy McBride, Director of Bailey Recycling (Sponsor) Eamonn Kearney & Peter O’Kane PPP Group receiving the ‘Circular Economy Award’ at the recent annual Construction and Recycling awards dinner in Belfast.

documented from collection to disposal insuring your company fulfils its responsibility by disposing of its waste tyres at an approved and fully licenced facility,” says Peter. PPP also recently received a top award from Sustainable Ireland. This award recognises companies who can demonstrate a commitment and proven business case for sustainability.

Judges looked at how PPPs sustainable approach has improved performance, employee engagement, and investments that have enabled environmental, waste and energy efficiencies. Judges also praised PPP for innovative practices; future sustainability plans and awareness together with a high commitment in reducing its impact on the environment. More details are available via www. PPP-Group.co.uk

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dited aterial rch vative

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With PPP managing your waste tyres you can have peace of mind that your waste stream is fully documented from collection to disposal insuring your company fulfils its responsibility by disposing of its waste tyres at an approved and fully licenced facility. Full documentation is supplied for any consignment that we accept or collect from your site.

PPP GROUP produces recycled products from used vehicle tyres.

79 Gortgole Road, Portglenone, Co. Antrim, BT44 8AN T: (+44) 028 2582 2066 E: info@ppp-group.co.uk www.ppp-group.co.uk

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LARRY MOONEY

DEPARTED SOUL-MATES

Larry Mooney

TE’s Michael O’Carroll pays tribute to his lifelong friend Larry Mooney, one of the stalwarts of the Irish Motor Industry through the years… Life is unpredictable, yet it has been called a bowl of cherries, and a joy to be experienced. So, when we lose long-time friends or soul-mates there is an emptiness, not to speak of sorrow and deep regret. Yet, the bright reflections of someone’s wonderful, varied, and often colourful life compensate greatly. I can think of several friends I lost in 2019. Russell Brookes the Circuit of Ireland Rally winner was one. There was also Gay Byrne, the television genius with whom I had the pleasure of knowing and working with a few times. And above all, there was Mr Beetle, Larry Mooney, who went to his eternal rest in early November after a long and hard fought battle with life and living. Larry was a special man, and was known the length and 42- garageTRADER

breath of this island as the face of Volkswagen and particularly the Porsche inspired Beetle. His motor sport reputation was enlarged and cemented, all over Ireland when he went Autotesting, first with a side-valve Ford Prefect and soon after with Volkswagens – some with standard 1300cc motors and others with 1600 versions. That was in the mid-fifties. To say he was a wonderful competitor is no exaggeration, and few were better around the pylons than Lar, from Dun Laoghaire, with a Beetle. When he took up rallying, a few years later, he was equally as impressive. And, he could also race! Larry Mooney started his working life in Skeaths bicycle shop in his home town Dun Laoghaire, which used to be Kingstown or Dunleary. An only child, he was clever at school and technical college. He learned to speak Irish and he was a dab hand at céili dancing. The latter, he claimed, was to help him

later when he drove competition cars, after a few years working as an apprentice in the assembly plant at the old tram depot in Ballsbridge. At that time Paddy Hopkirk was a salesman in the same garage which had the brilliant entrepreneur Stephen O’Flaherty at the helm. Larry Mooney impressed O’Flaherty during that seven year apprenticeship at Ballsbridge Motors. And, Larry got to know every nut, rivet, screw and bolt in each of the vehicles he helped assemble, let they be Nash Trucks, Ambassador, Statesman and Singer 9 cars or Willies Overland Jeeps for the Irish army. He also prepared Paddy Hopkirk’s competition cars, let they be Volkswagens, BMC and even the last car Paddy drove for Ballsbridge, a Triumph TR2. He also prepared cars for O’Flaherty’s son Nigel for rally events in the mid to late fifties. As the apprenticeship rules stipulated he had to leave Ballsbridge Motors in 1956,

following his seven years apprentiship. That year he was awarded the Ford Motor Company gold medal as the best apprentice in Ireland. He went to work for Esmond Motors where he met and toiled with Jimmy Boland, whom Larry considered a mechanical, and later, an electronic genius. But soon, Mooney was back in the O’Flaherty camp – Park Motors, Ballsbridge, Europa and Deans Grange motors. Good men are always required! His first love was his childhood sweetheart and wife Eileen, and later his family of four boys – Damien, Ciarán, Lorcan and Tara. But, his passion was for cars and the internal combustion engine. He delighted when a motor sounded sweet, he took great pleasure when a vehicle handled properly, and he was always happy to see other drivers do outstanding drives, in rallysport or track racing. Work and family was important to Larry – he thrived thinking and dreaming about the sport and cars.

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LARRY MOONEY Auto testing and rallies were his sports in the sixties, along with autocross. He did well in all three categories, and when Mondello Park opened in 1968 he became a race driver and Chairman of the Irish Racing Drivers’ Association. That position was at times difficult because he was occasionally in conflict with other drivers who claimed that the saloon rules were “up to and above Larry Mooney.” Larry added to the Mondello mix, sometimes as an understanding scrutineer. Larry made it his mission to promote motor sport. He was one of those responsible for getting drivers from the South to compete in the Ken Wharton Memorial Trophy autotest, which was then televised by BBC TV. Larry Mooney met with Eamonn Andrews and suggested that he should get through Raymond Baxter, an invite for a team from the Republic. It worked, and from 1963 until 1976, a team from the South was captained by Larry Mooney with drivers such as Cecil Vard, Leslie Vard, Alan Murray, Conor Linehan and the brilliant all-rounder Dermot Carnegie in the line-up. There were others like Des Cullen and George Reid who were sports car experts. More often than not the Northern Ireland team took the spoils, as is still the case. Larry considered Robert Woodside as the fairest and best VW driver he met from the North, and also the most skilful because of his pin-point precision. Many other skilful autotesters from the North crossed his path, like Ken Irwin, John Lyons and Mervyn Johnston. He was very friendly with the McCartney’s from Omagh. Only one Northerner ever annoyed him. That was Robert McBurney from Ballymena, who called red-headed Larry a Fenian, which I suppose he was? Robert has long since been forgiven. My first meeting with Larry Mooney was in 1963 when the RTE Motor Club ran a televised autotest in the Donnybrook car park. He did not compete, instead he recruited drivers for the fledgling club, and helped lay out tests around the rosebeds at Montrose. Year two, back at RTE and live on the box, Larry competed. That was the last time the event was staged because the Security and Plant Superintendent

was offended when a driver from Cork – Demi Fitzgerald - with his Mini, had an off into one of Captain Meehan’s rose gardens, damaging at least one prized bush. Such a terrible carry on by those car nuts! Larry Mooney was, from that time onwards, one of the regular visitors to the O’Carroll home at South Park. While he rallied, mostly with his friend Alan Park, autocrossed and excelled at test trials, our friendship grew. Alan, the son of a Clergyman, from York Road, Dun Laoghaire, was his regular map-man, and according to Larry, “the straightest man I ever met.” They had many adventures together like setting many promotional-run records with VW, Mercedes, Mazda, and Audis for Motor Distributers. Alan and myself combined to build the MOCAP roofless turbocharged auto cross Mini which gave us many great days on the grass during the sixties. And, Larry was always in the wings. We took many excursions to Grand Prix races with our spouses and other friends, but the most memorable outing, with Larry Mooney and his Volkswagen (Passat) was to the 1973 Galway Rally. The cameraman was the late Eamonn O’Connor from Limerick. Eamonn Cotter was Clerk of the Course, and we set out to create a system for covering this growing, if not popular sport. I discussed with Larry my ideas and he volunteered to provide and drive the crew-car. We planned the event to the last detail when Cotter secretly gave us the route and stage locations. O’Connor (who’s son was cameraman on Father Ted) was brilliant and we soon established a system to ‘shoot and move’ and then to drive to the next stage or service area. As the first day progressed we were in the groove and even more adventurous. We get to a location, early on a stage, where there were very few spectators or marshals. The action was reasonable, but I wanted to create an un-contrived in-car situation, which had never been seen on an Irish rally. I suggested to Larry that after a dozen or so cars had passed, we would get all the crew into the car, and as soon as a slow running car

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would pass we would shoot by the amazed marshal with spinning wheels, with the cameraman in the front seat with O’Connor’s finger on the start/stop button. We were shooting on film and the camera was a heavy brute, and most awkward on a tripod inside a car. But O’Connor made do! Larry was magnificent. Eamonn O’Connor was also switched on, as always, and within a mile, Larry driving fast and smooth with a full car, had caught up on the competing vehicle, being piloted by a somewhat bewildered driver. We followed that competitor for about a mile or two and then slipped off the stage at a junction, explaining to that marshal that we had taken a wrong turn. Simply, we had shot the first live on stage ‘in-car camera’ material ever shot for television in this country. That evening we retired to an eating house in Barna, rather than at rally headquarters in the Great Southern Hotel. But the men with arm-bands and titles found us, and read us the riot act. “You could be barred,” one man with a Northern accident suggested. “Larry, they can take your licence away.” Larry spoke to him ‘as gaelige’ and in English. Clerk of the course Cotter, a native

speaker, just smiled and kept silent. He was thinking of his sponsor who wanted television. But, we got away with it! That programme when transmitted some weeks later on RTE, with Eamonn O’Connor’s spectacular photography, and Larry Mooney’s driving, came in for special mention. That was the first real attempt at covering rallysport differently in Ireland. There was much more to follow! But now Larry Mooney has gone to his God, where no doubt he will meet many old pals, comrades and former rivals. I wonder will they have motor sport in that heavenly World? Will they require a mechanical guru and an organiser? If so, Larry Mooney is the man to help out, to plot and plan if necessary, and to bring many shades and varieties of people together.

Michael O’Carroll.

If you know of anyone looking for a little used turbocharger, send them my way. The MOCAP Special is no more, but the blower, is lying in Alan Park’s garage near Tara, Co. Meath. Tell him I sent you! garageTRADER - 43

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TOM GERAGHTY Waterford based tyre dealer Tom Geraghty has a collection of very rare Ford Escorts

Aaron McElroy talks to him about his carS

hat started as a search for a shell to build an inventory of parts into resulted in the restoration of one of the most instantly recognisable Ford Escorts ever to grace a rally stage. When Tom Geraghty bought YCD 988T it was poles apart from what it looks now. So much so, that it wasn’t until long after he got it home that he, or rather his son, figured out that their latest project lived a previous life on the continent as part of the famous Belga Rally Team. “This car appeared in Motoring News and I answered the ad. I bought it even though it was in a desperate state. The wiring loom and seats were torn out - the inside was a disaster. All the stuff was 44- garageTRADER

thrown into the boot. You would have wanted a good heart to think about restoring it.” “I brought it home and it was my son Mark who suggested it’s an ex-Belga car. I checked it out and he was right. I had the log book but it showed the car in plain white colours for the simple reason that competition logbooks didn’t exist at the time when it was in Belga colours.” The car started life at the hands of Hubert “Eldis” Saelens, a Belgian rally master and one of the founders of the Ypres Rally. In the tail end of 1980, Robert Droogmans took the reins but it was the following year when it was draped in red and white that it took on its iconic identity. With the backing of Belga, YCD 988T was Droogmans’ weapon of

choice for the 1981 Belgian Rally Championship and European Rally Championship. Pentti Airikkala also did a spell behind the wheel as did a young Swede Stig Andervang. Like many cars of the time, the exact history is somewhat muddied as to who did what in it and when, but from what is known and certain, it was a successful and well-known car – something Tom was keen to verify and maintain. “I couldn’t believe it was a Belga car, so I got all the photographs and history I could find on it. I went back and got all the livery recreated and brought it to its original condition. Ok, there are a certain number of changes you have to make, the likes of old copper brake lines and stuff like that, you don’t use that anymore, and so you

replace that with modern braided lines. But other than that, it’s as is.” The car attracted fans when Tom took it to Gowran for the Festival of Speed – he even had some famous faces get behind the wheel. Both Ari Vatanen and Patrick Snijers took it for demonstrations in years gone by, but perhaps most significant was when this year, Robert Droogmans visited the event and took his old car for a number of runs. Tom says it drew attention because it’s a “real” Ford Escort. “It’s been in a lot of hands and they’ve all enjoyed it immensely. I think it’s because it’s going back to the original Escort era. It has the original ZF gearbox and BDA engine of a Group 4. An awful lot now have sequential boxes and Millington engines and the devil

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TOM GERAGHTY system which would be for Arnie. After much debate, he eventually caved in and made the purchase. However, after years of letting it lie, when he came around to working on the car he wasn’t happy with the replacement Butterfly system for the simple reason it wasn’t original. The correct system was located and everything from the Cosworth engine to the shell was rebuilt from the ground up. In its Castrol livery, the car looks the part; but unfortunately due to its rarity it doesn’t get many outings. The last time Tom took it out was at the Spirit of Dunboyne a few years back, but he says it can’t be enjoyed to the same extent because replacement parts simply don’t exist. This is an exception to Tom’s rule of keeping cars. He believes in working on the cars you own and being fit to take them out for a spirited drive. He says there’s enjoyment to be gained from the “built not bought” experience of working on projects in the evenings and weekends after work. “I wouldn’t call myself a collector, it’s just a hobby. I regard a collector as someone who isn’t short of cash and buys a car to put it into storage and look at it. I’d sooner buy a car in its sins and bring it back to life.”

knows what; but this is going back to the days when it won world championships.” Tom would categorise himself more as an enthusiast with a nice garage than anything else. He says he has never been one of those people

to chase the history of a car and follow up on it. He just looks to rebuild what he has in as close to its original state as possible. Case and point would be his Broadspeed Escort. Rumoured to be the only one in existence, it came to him in

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a haphazard fashion.Arnie Black was on the lookout for an injection system for a Crossle, when he came across the Escort that had the parts he was after. It was suggested Tom would buy the car and keep all, minus the injection

Elsewhere in his inventory are two Escorts with a lot more Irish pedigree. These are the ex-Donie Keating and Dan Lannon car, 8102 HI; and DMB 857X – a car driven by both Roger Clarke and Kenny McKinstry. Tom describes the list of projects as never-ending, but not something he’d have any other way. “It’s like an LP; they are projects that went on for a number of years. From first time I sat into a BDA Escort, I was smitten. As far as I was concerned, there was no other vehicle like it, and it’s the same today. To stand in forestry and listen to a Group 4 is music, that’s the only way I can describe it. I just have great time for them.” garageTRADER - 45

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Celebrating 40 Years

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