Ireland's top drifters to go head-to-head on Cork's Spike Island

Josh McErlean M-Sport Ford World Rally Team will perform a demonstration drive at the Red Bull Drift Pursuit event at Spike Island, Cork on Saturday July 5th next. Picture: Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool

The iconic Spike Island in Cork Harbour is set to be a lock-out on Saturday July 5th next when it will reverberate to the sounds of race and rally cars of Red Bull athletes.

Local ace and professional drifter Conor Shanahan (from Killavullen) and World Rally star Josh McErlean will perform demonstration drives in their respective Toyota GT86 and M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 cars. 

The duo, along with Conor's brother Jack are part of a one and three quarter hour show that features the Red Bull Drift Pursuit when sixteen of the country’s top drifters go head-to-head (knockout format) at the former military base and prison.

The evening of exhilarating and thrilling motorsport event has a Cork versus Kerry battle when Trevor Healy (Cork) takes on Colin O’Sullivan (Kerry) in the first round of sixteen.

Drivers will be judged on two key criteria - course time and clipping points, with penalties for any infringements. Each of the head to head contests is about accuracy, control and speed.

The presence of the Shanahan's brothers should be a great spectacle as they are world renowned for showcasing their unique skills. McErlean, along with his Killeagh co-driver Eoin Treacy, is showing good form in their maiden WRC Rally1 season.

Speaking ahead of the event, Killavullen native Shanahan said: “As a proud Corkman, it is incredible to see a drift event like this take place at such an iconic location like Spike Island. Some of the best drifters in Ireland will be competing and I know Jack and I are looking forward to putting on a show.”

McErlean said. "It's (Spike Island) one of the most iconic locations in the country, so to bring the energy of a Red Bull drift event here is something seriously special. Driving the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 car in a place like this, it’s going to be loud, fast and an unforgettable experience.”

The event will roar into action at 6.45pm and is scheduled to finish at 8.30pm. Tickets are currently on sale on the Red Bull website, priced at €45 for a standing ticket and €55 for a seated ticket. Ferry transfers from Ringaskiddy or Cobh are included in the ticket, with ferries running throughout the day.

Prior to the competition itself, spectators can avail of Spike Island tours to learn more about the island’s history as a monastic settlement and its 18th-century bastion fort (Fort Mitchel).

It's strategic location within the Cork Harbour meant it was used for defence, a naval base and more recently, a prison.

During the evening the Shanahan brothers and McErlean will partake in a Q&A session while the drivers’ paddock will be open to spectators keen to get a closer look at the action.

The other Cork drivers that will participate in the Red Bull Drift Pursuit are Alan Hynes, the 2024 Red Bull Drift Pursuit champion, Aidan Dennehy and Owen Magner.