Latest news with #AlanHynes
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Spike Island in Cork taken captive by Red Bull and its Drift Pursuit
SPIKE ISLAND reverberated to the sounds of rev limiters and tyre shredding as the Red Bull Drift Pursuit treated 1,500 screaming fans to a high-octane motorsport day to remember. The spectators and a selection of Ireland's top drifters, along with their drift cars, boarded the ferry and made the short trip across Cork Harbour to compete in the event that took place on this incredible historic landmark. 8 Spike Island was transformed for Red Bull Drift Pursuit, with 1,500 motorsport fans making the short trip across Cork Harbour to the former prison Credit: Red Bull Ireland 8 Local man and 2024 Red Bull Drift Pursuit champion Alan Hynes came out on top once again, roared on by a vocal home crowd Credit: Red Bull Ireland 8 Drift Brothers Conor and Jack Shanahan in their 900bhp Toyota GT86s Credit: Red Bull Ireland Fans lined the custom-built course to catch local drift star Conor Shanahan and fellow Red Bull athlete and World Rally Championship driver Josh McErlean, who made a special appearance at the event, joining the sideways action. Taking part were 16 of the Ireland's top drifters who went go head-to-head in a fierce and that incluided four Cork drivers - Aidan Dennehy, Owen Magner, Trevor Healy and Alan Hynes. Conor Shanahan currently leads the Drift Masters European Championship, and the Killavullen man was on fine form. But it was another Cork driver, Alan Hynes (pictured above), who topped the podium, claiming his second straight Red Bull drift title. 8 Red Bull athletes, drifter Conor Shanahan and WRC driver Josh McErlean, put on a show for the 1,500 fans Credit: Red Bull Ireland 8 Conor Shanahan is the current Drift Masters GP championship standings leader Credit: Red Bull Ireland He held off strong challenges from second-placed Stephen Halferty from Derry and Waterford's Jakub Krzyszczak who rounded off the podium, as well as Jake Davey from Galway who finished in fourth place. Hynes said afterwards: 'Second time in a row for me to win this event — it's a pretty special moment. 'I really enjoyed it last year and this year was even more special being in Cork – the cherry on top really. What a special venue, a special place, a special event. It's an amazing feeling. Awesome day for Cork. Up the Rebels!' 8 Alan Hynes won the event for the second year in a row Credit: Red Bull Ireland 8 Action from the Red Bull Drift Pursuit in Cork's Spike Island Credit: Red Bull Ireland 8 Competitors are ready to rock and put on a show for the 1,500 fans Credit: Red Bull Ireland
Irish Examiner
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
'Story is only getting started' - Spike Island thrills to Drift drama
Some of the top Irish drift drivers thrilled the capacity crowd on Spike Island on Saturday evening as Buttevant's Alan Hynes beat 15 other drivers to win the Red Bull Drift Pursuit. He held off the challenges of second-placed Stephen Halferty (Derry) with Jakub Krzyszczak (Waterford) winning the battle for third from Jake Davey (Galway). For almost two hours the head-to-head competition kept the attendance on their toes before local hero Hynes took the title in front of a majority Cork crowd. In glorious sunshine, the fans were treated to demonstration drives on the custom-built course by world drift stars, brothers Conor and Jack Shanahan from Killavullen in their Toyota GT86's. There was also an appearance from Irish World Rally Championship driver Derry's Josh McErlean in the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1, who also showcased his talents to the fans at the iconic location. Hynes was thrilled with his victory, "It's a pretty special moment. I really enjoyed it (Red Bull Drift Pursuit) last year, this year was even more special being in here on Spike Island, the cherry on top really. He added: "What a special venue, a special place, a special event. It's an amazing feeling. The opposition was immense and Stephen (Halferty) pushed me all the way. I was racing in Europe last weekend and had a big crash, so it was nice to come here and take the win." Meanwhile, as he enjoyed some time in his native county, Conor Shanahan, who currently leads the Drift Masters European Championship (DMEC) and displayed why he is regarded as one of the best in the world, said, "Personally, I feel every time we look at ourselves in drifting and how look at the sport these days and how big the sport is getting, to be here in Spike Island with an event, it's pretty unique, who would have thought that ten years ago, there is so much history here. "To do it close to home and have local support is pretty special. Home is always special. This story is only getting started, there's a lot to write yet."
