Four time Irish Hillclimb champion, Simon McKinley, from Meath, has been killed after an accident during the Clare Motor Club’s Hillclimb at Scalp Hill, near Carron.
The accident happened towards the end of the event, after all competitors had successfully completed the course a number of times throughout the day. The event at Carron was the first round of the 2015 Hillclimb Championship.
Initial reports suggest that McKinley’s car, a Lant RT4, left the road at a tricky left-right combination and rolled several times.
An investigation into the accident will be carried out.
Simon McKinley is survived by his wife, Deirdre, who also competes in Hillclimbs and their year old son, Rory.
Tomorrow’s hillclimb at Ballyalban has been cancelled as a mark of respect.
Motoring editor - The Clare Champion
Former Chairman and voting member of Irish Motoring Writers' Association