Driven to Zoom Down Glory Road0

by Mark Hayes - Irish Daily Star (Front page and Inside article) - 9th September 1998

If willpower and self-belief are a necessity for success. Neil Shanahan should be unbeatable.

He is not arrogant – he just knows he is the fastest driver in Ireland. And the teenager from the South Dublin suburb of Churchtown, who has dominated this year’s Ford of Ireland Formula Ford Zetec Championship believes he can go all the way to the top.

“Well, Formula One is the aim. It has to be, but obviously a career as a professional driver is what I see myself achieving. I have great support from my parents, so I know that I have some time to try and make it happen,” he said.

Shanahan who is presently the only driver to win more than one race in Formula Ford this season, earlier this month celebrated his fifth win out of nine races. He is on 87 points with his nearest rival, former champion Chris Paul, on 75.

Pleasantly easy going, Shanahan has taken Irish motor racing by storm in the last two seasons. His emergence has been so spectacular that those in the know believe he could be the next big name bound for international stardom.

Former Formula one driver and current RTE Grand Prix pundit David Kennedy is bowled over by Shanahan’s potential.

“I saw him display the most amazing composure in winning a race at Mondello Park this year,” said Kennedy. “He was following Chris Paul, a very fine driver, and the way he paced himself and probed for Paul’s weak spot throughout the race, before launching his attack at just the right moment, was masterful.”

His team manager Michael Merrigan, known in racing circles as a skillful talent spotter is another big fan.

“Neil is one of the best young racers I’ve seen for many a year. He has great car control, sensitivity and tactical awareness. He also has the right mental attitude to his racing and works as hard outside the car as he does in it.”

As well as having the talent on track the Leaving Cert student is remarkably committed for one of such tender years.

“As well as the fitness aspect I’ve taken part in a number of public speaking and presentation skills courses. This is an expensive sport and I want to impress the right people on my way to the top. I’m in the gym most days and I also do quite a bit of running and cycling in fact, if I wasn’t racing cars I’d love to compete in downhill mountain bike races. But I have to take that bit easier after writing off a bike last year in the Dublin mountains. I was lucky I didn’t write off myself in the process!” he said.

On excepting the prestigious Sexton Trophy for winning the 1997 Dunlop Driver of the Year, he amazed all present with the composure of his acceptance speech.

So what are Shanahan’s immediate plans?

“The plan is to go racing abroad full time next year, probably in England. I haven’t really had time to weigh up the pros and cons of the various championships, but I’ll be looking closely at Formula Palmer Audi, Formula Renault Sport and Formula Ford Zetec again. But first for the Ford of Ireland title!”