Simon McKinley

Tributes have been paid to a popular motor racing champion who was killed when his car crashed during an event in Clare.

Married father-of-one Simon McKinley, 34, from Naul on the Meath/Dublin border, was seriously injured on Saturday when he lost control of his single-seater racing car. Despite the best efforts of event emergency crews, Mr McKinley died at the scene.

The crash happened just seconds after the start of Mr McKinley’s hill climb and only 300 metres from the start line. It appears his car collided with a bale of hay before ploughing into the face of a 25ft high stone cliff. There was some evidence of fire at the scene but it wasn’t significant.

Debris from the car, including its red fibreglass hull, was visible at the scene after the car had been removed for a technical examination. Red paint could also be clearly seen on the rock face where several large chunks of stone had been dislodged in the collision.

Mr McKinley was a four-time reigning Irish Hillclimb and Sprint Champion, while his wife Deirdre, 34, has won the fastest lady award several times in recent years.

The crash happened during the Clare Motor Club Annual Hillclimb which was held on Scalp Hill between Carran and Balharbour in the Burren.

Hillclimbs take place on closed roads where competitors compete to achieve the fastest time driving up a hill. The hill is usually about one mile long with competitors getting a practice run and three timed runs.

The accident happened at around 5.30pm during the drivers’ final runs of the day. It’s understood the victim’s wife was also taking part in the event. The couple have a young son.

One driver said: “This was the man to beat. He was a brilliant driver. Someone said recently he ‘was the best racing driver you never heard off’. He was a great talent. We’re just numb.”

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