Date of Birth: 28/06/1979
Hobbies: Mountain Biking, Fitness, Computer Games
Interests: Motorsport and Music

Achievements

1996

  • Runner-up Formula A1 Carting Championship

1997

  • Winner of Formula Ford DHL Star of Tomorrow
  • Winner of Phoenix Park Motor Races
  • Awarded Dunlop Sexton Trophy for Driver of the Year

1998

  • Winner of Ford of Ireland Championship
  • Awarded Dunlop Sexton Trophy for Driver of the Year
  • Awarded Barney Manley Trophy for best Irish International Driver chosen by the media

1999

  • Signed for Van Diemen Works Team in the UK to compete in the British and European Formula Ford Championships
  • Named Motorsports News “Race Ace” for his overtaking maneuvers at Brands Hatch.

31 May 1999

Neil was tragically killed while competing in the fifth round of the British Championship at Oulton Park, Cheshire.

10 Comments

  1. Bernice Donohoe says:

    Lovely website guys. We often think of Neil in our house. Hope everyone is doing well.

  2. Sara Wiler says:

    Its a wonderful website and a lovely tribute to a man of which we are all so proud! x

  3. Dear Mr. & Mrs. Shanahan,

    My thanks to you for creating this Memorial website for you son, Neil.

    Being from Indianapolis, Indiana (USA), I have been a fan of Formula One racing since childhood.

    You can be proud of Neil’s accomplishments in his chosen career, although his life was cut short, you can take comfort in knowing that he was doing what he loved, and God was with him then, and he is with God now.

    With this page, Neil Shanahan will live forever.

    Sincerely,
    Michael Phelps
    16 October 2016

    • Mary Shanahan says:

      Thank you so much for your beautiful words Mike, I believe that Neil is with God, and some day our family will be together again.
      Love
      Mary, Liam & Clare.

  4. Mikey Rowe says:

    Great website and tribute to Neil. I was at Oulton Park that day as a Spector and I go to oulton park most weekends with my young son now. I think about Neil every time I drive through the gates on a Saturday morning. God bless

    • admin says:

      Ah thank you Mikey, apologies for only seeing your comment now, and for the delay in getting to thank you for taking the time to leave a message back to you. Thank you kindly for getting in touch, hard to believe that day was 20 years ago now.
      It’s nice to hear from people who were there that day, or those that followed his career. It gives a lift to my parents and I, to see his memory live on. Best wishes; Clare Shanahan ❤️

  5. Adam says:

    fascinating what you stumble upon when on google. I was at Oulton that day as a 14 year old lad, I live close to oulton these days and often think of Neil and that day when I’m at the circuit.

    • admin says:

      Ah thank you Adam for getting in touch, that is fascinating what you come across so many years on, 20 in fact. I am his sister , I was 15 then.
      It’s nice to hear from people who were there that day, or those that followed his career. It gives a lift to my parents and I, to see his memory live on. – Clare. ❤️

  6. Bridget Smith says:

    I’ve just found out I’m related to the Shanahan family through my dad, John Murray (his mother Kitty Kellett). I came across this site looking up names associated with the Bachelor Inn and Grumpy Jack’s pub. So sad he went so young. But it’s great to see he’s never forgotten.

    • Mary Shanahan says:

      Hello Bridget, My God I’m so sorry I didn’t see your message until now. I know exactly who you are, we are cousins!
      Thank you for your kind remarks, it’s been 25 years now since we lost Neil, and still in some ways it feels like yesterday.
      Again apologies for taking so long to reply. Love MaryX

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