Ballina Motor Club to celebrate 50 years of motorsport memories

The original Ballina Motor Club is preparing to mark a remarkable milestone in Irish motorsport history with a special 50th reunion celebration taking place over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, July 4-5. The entire celebration has been meticulously planned and the club is proud to collaborate with its friends from the Wild Atlantic Motor Club to make this a truly Mayo-wide celebration.

The event will bring together former competitors, club officials, marshals, organisers, sponsors, supporters and motorsport enthusiasts to celebrate five decades of rallying, friendship and community spirit. Organisers are extending a particularly warm invitation to past members and veteran competitors whose stories, achievements and memories helped shape the club throughout the years.

Based primarily at the Great National Hotel, Ballina, the reunion promises to be a fitting tribute to the club’s rich history. The hotel has been a valued supporter and sponsor of the club and its events over many years, making it the ideal venue for the celebrations.

Over the years, Ballina Motor Club played a significant role in developing motorsport across Mayo and the west of Ireland, organising memorable rallies and creating lasting friendships among generations of enthusiasts. The reunion weekend aims to honour those contributions while celebrating the evolution of the sport from its early days to the modern era.

Organisers are encouraging former sponsors, event promoters, service crews, marshals and everyone who supported the club over the decades to attend. It is also open to classic car owners, motorsport fans and anyone with an interest in the history of rallying in Mayo.

On Saturday, July 4 a nostalgic drive will revisit some of the most iconic and memorable rally stages associated with Ballina Motor Club. Getting underway at 9am from the Great National Hotel, the scenic route will incorporate memorable stages from the club’s rallying history and will return to hotel for a drinks reception at 5pm followed by reunion dinner from 6pm onwards, including a social evening of music, dancing and entertainment, and a special guest performance by renowned Ballina singer Gerry Guthrie.

From 11am the following day, Sunday, July 5, there will be a relaxed gathering outside the Great National Hotel showcasing classic and vintage vehicles while providing an opportunity for old friends to meet once again. It is open to classic car owners, enthusiasts, families and visitors, providing a chance to view historic vehicles, share memories and celebrate 50 years of motorsport heritage.

While the cars and rallies form an important part of Ballina Motor Club’s story, organisers say the reunion is ultimately about the people who made it all possible. They are particularly looking forward to hearing tales from competitors and members who experienced the early years of the club, comparing how rallying has changed over the decades and sharing memories with younger generations of enthusiasts.

“Fifty years of memories, friendships and motorsport achievements is something truly worth celebrating,” said a spokesperson for the club. “We hope to see familiar faces from every era of the club’s history and welcome new visitors who would like to learn more about Ballina Motor Club’s legacy.” 

The reunion promises to be a memorable weekend of storytelling, friendship, classic cars and motorsport nostalgia as the club celebrates 50 incredible years of passion, community and rallying in Mayo.

For tickets or more information contact Mikie Jackson at 086-4055857.