AN AMAZING END TO A SPECTACULAR SUN-DRENCHED WEEKEND AT THE 360MSP - HOSTS TO ROUND 4 OF THE IDC
Updated: Sep 11, 2023
Where to start? New Venue, shock standings?! With the huge interest, eagerly anticipated drivers submerged into the Paddock, at the never-seen-before track in Kerry which was host to Round 4 from as early as Friday morning before sunset.
Weather was definitely in our favour (if we ignore the downpour on Friday's practice) - Which added to a great weekend of exhilarating thrills and the occasional mishap
As a capacity crowd gathered into the packed venue, the all familiar roar of 2JZ's, with a handful of Screaming RB' SRs, and anything-in-between thrown in for good measure echo's throughout the mountainous area in which 360 Motorsport Park is situated. The aroma of tire smoke, billowing in the crosswinds, hitting the noses of spectators. The scene was set. It was time to start Round 4 of the Irish Drift Championship!
Saturday | Pro2 - We saw a reverse layout, compared to what the Pro vehicles run, mainly due to power and ability to carry a line throughout the clipping points making transitions easier to maintain correct line. Drivers lined up, and waited for the Marshall to drop the flag.
Some spectacular show of drifting was to commence following the Saturday and Sunday, with some real surprises coming from the Pro2 and Junior Category's, the judges stood in anticipation of what was to come, whilst watching closely from the Judging Tower which stood just above the main circle section which runs the wall covering zone 5 into clipping point 6 at the end.
With Saturday coming to an end, the Pro drivers (and those who qualified from pro2) on the Saturday was gearing up for the day to follow.. Judgement Day!
A blistering sun-drenched track, with a capacity crowd.. it was going to be an exhilarating thrill for all drivers and spectators alike. The crowd wanted a show, the crowd got a show! Pace, smoke, noise.. the Atmosphere in the 360 MSP was ecstatic for the day to come - and the quality of driving did not disappoint!
We saw door-to-door action throughout the day, with some hiccups, and small issues with overheating, mainly due to the strong 80degrees heat we were experiencing but everybody powered on regardless!
With some drivers experiencing heat issues, bonnets were removed, and every attempt made to get these cars to keep cool during the runs.. especially as we moved closer to the top 16 battles, these cars were having to be ran regular..
Also Clarke Hatton with a removed bonnet to help provide better heat dissipation on a run. Photographed here dropping a wheel and running a 3-wheeler through Zone 1/7
With battles getting closer and closer, we were down to our final 4; #173 Alan O'Loghlen, #112 Tomás Falvey, 2022 IDC winner #126 Tomás Kiely, and Drift Masters Grand Prix Championship leader Conor Shanahan.
Tomás Falvey went onto battle after having lost 3rd gear and running a reworked long 2nd - which would slightly hinder him.. not that it showed! but subsequently a spin out due to grip in-front of the Judging tower didn't help, and ultimately lost out to Alan O'Loghlen who claimed 1st Place Victory at Round 4 in the Number #173 Nissan 180sx.
And your Round 4 Winner - #173 Alan O'Loghlen
And that wraps up the IDC until our Pros get set for the Final at JapFest in Mondello Park on October the 8th - As it stands, it's still anyone’s championship!
Until then!
View all official photographs from the Weekend from Round 4 in our Gallery Here and see video content in our Media section. You can also check Facebook, our Instagram page and the IDC YouTube channel for photos and videos!