Motor Ace Killed at 190

Fans were mourning the death of teenage motor-racing prodigy Neil Shanahan yesterday. The 19 year old Dubliner, tipped as a possible future Formula One world champ, was injured in a smash during a Formula Ford race at Oulton Park, Chester. He died later from injuries at the Countess of Chester Hospital. A family friend last night said his mum Mary and dad Liam were in shock at their home in south Dublin.”They are all totally devastated. Neil was a lovely lad and you couldn’t meet a nicer family.” said the pal. “It’s absolutely heart-breaking for them.”

Dream

His dad, who runs Dublin’s Bachelor Inn and Grumpy Jacks pubs, had invested tens of thousands of pounds in his son’s dream career. Tragic Neil had set his heart on being a racing driver since childhood. After his first go-kart drive at the age of 12 he saved his pocket money to buy his own second-hand kart. While friends went clubbing, the track-mad youngster spent his money on racing tyres. And he was soon whizzing around circuits at 100mph – before he was even old enough to take his driving test.

He switched from karts to Formula Ford cars two years ago and again worked his way quickly to the top of the field. He was hoping to make the jump up to Formula Three in the near future.

The talented driver won Ireland’s top motor sport award, the RIAC Dunlop Driver of the Year, in both 1997 and 1998 and also clinched last year’s Irish Ford Formula Championships.Earlier this year he was signed up by Van Diemen International, the same racing outfit which set Irish Grand Prix hero Eddie Irvine on the road to success. Many experts regarded Neil as the sport’s hottest young property. His coolness and expertise saw him regularly driving at speeds of up to 145mph.

Amazing

This year he was racing in the British Formula Ford Championships, which began at Donington Park in April. Earlier this year he said: “It’s an amazing feeling knowing that I am now a full-time professional racing driver. I do not get flustered. If you are a good driver, you do not think about what you are doing, it comes naturally.” He added: “If I had to live in a shed and drive a Morris Minor to compete in Formula One, I would be delighted.”A spokesman for Brands Hatch, which runs Oulton Park track said: “We extend our greatest sympathy to his family and friends.”