Supercars set to make Cork pit-stop

A fleet of supercars is set to roar in to Cork City for a special pit-stop later this month.

A convoy of 160 of the world’s finest vehicles, including Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Aston Martins, McLarens, Porsche, Masseratti, Rolls Royce and Bentley, will rev their way along St Patrick’s St and South Mall on Aug 23 as part of this year’s Cannonball Run — Europe’s largest organised road trip.

The cars, including 50 supercars from Italy, Germany, US, Britain, Monaco, Russia, Switzerland and the Caymen Islands, will park up at the Port of Cork before the drivers enjoy a party at Gately’s Boardwalk Bar and Grill.

The Manhattan Popcorn-sponsored trip skipped Cork last year for Galway.

But organisers said they are delighted to be heading back to the rebel county this year with the event which will raise money for Laura Lynn — the charity which supports children with life limiting conditions, and their families.

They have invited car enthusiasts and Cannonball fans to visit the Port of Cork on Aug 23 where the cars will be parked up from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will drop the flat as the Cannonball fleet sets off from Mondello race track in Kildare earlier in the day.

Chart topper Bruno Mars, Boyzone’s Shane Lynch, former Miss World Rosanna Davison and her fiancé Wes Quirke, as well as Ryan Tubridy and Jennifer Maguire are among the celebrities who have signed up for a leg.

They convoy is due in Abbeyleix at 1.30pm, Ballymaloe House in Midleton at 4.30pm, arriving in Cork for 6.30pm.

On Saturday, the convoy will set off around 10am for Sheen Falls Hotel in Kenmare, before heading up to Molls Gap between Kenmare and Killarney, and on to Limerick at 6pm.

On Sunday morning Cannonballers will leave Limerick at 10am for Killaloe, arriving in Cashel, Co Tipperary, around 1.30pm, and Tullamore in Co Offaly at 5pm, taking in Gathering events along the route.

*www.cannonball.ie