Ballyvaughan is HQ to the opening round of the 2010 Hillclimb Championship, this picturesque village is synonymous with Hillclimbs, close by are two of the finest Hills in Ireland; Ballyallaban & Corkscrew Hill.

Clare Motor Club hosts the first round, and is using Corkscrew on Saturday & Scalp, a newer hill; is being used on Sunday.

Over the years many an epic battle was played out on Corkscrew hill, Names such as, Richard Young, Carl Cleary and the Kettle brothers. To name a few, have written themselves into the history books of Irish Motorsport.

Richard Young in the 1980’s set & broke records on Corkscrew, his ability to defy the laws of physics was breathtaking. Richard was; and indeed, still is King of this Hill...

Over the last few years on Corkscrew Hill, road works have been carried out and it has been completely re-surfaced, gone is the Bump on the hairpin below. What was known at the picnic table area, but the character of the hill is still there.

From a spectator’s point of view, this is an excellent hill to watch, as they listen to the sound of a V8 Howling on the start line. The Spectator’s are able to watch the cars, blast through the hairpin bends. They are deceptively tricky, and technical; and, if you put a wheel wrong on this hill, it can be costly.

And what of today’s drivers? Paul O Connell, Sylvie Mullins, Simon McKinley, to name but a few; they are spectacular to watch, and like Richard Young in the past. Have a legion of fans that turn out to see these thespians of speed compete on the hills of Ireland.

Defending champion Paul O Connell will be out to retain his title in 2010, so this opening round of the championship will be one event not to miss.

See you out there…