FFord Racer Killed at Oulton0

by Marcus Pye - Autosport - June 3rd 1999

Irishman Neil Shanahan was killed in an accident during the British Championship Formula Zetec race at Oulton Park on Monday.

The 19-year-old’s works Van Diemen tangled with two other cars going up Clay Hill, and speared off into the barrier before rebounding onto the track. The Cheshire circuit’s medical team resuscitated the driver at the scene before a helicopter airlifted him to Countess of Chester Hospital. He died on the way from a cardiac arrest caused by massive trauma to the chest and upper body.

The three cars involved have been impounded by police for further investigation, and stewards are to compile an official report.

A spokesperson for Ford said: “The cause of the accident has yet to be established. This was a tragic accident and our thoughts are with Neil’s family, friends and team.”

Van Diemen boss Ralph Firman, who was not at the meeting, said: “To have a fatality happen so close to you is horrific. There is no indication in any shape or form that it was anything other than a pure racing accident. The cars been impounded, which is standard procedure, and no doubt it will be released later in the week.”

The incident occurred on the second lap as Shanahan was battling for ninth place with the Haywood Mygale of Craig Murray and Greg Caton’s Atlantic Van Diemen. The trio went up Clay hill three abreast with Shanahan sandwiched in the middle. There was contact made between him and Caton, and all three crashed into the barriers at high speed. Caton and Murray were unharmed in the accident. The race was restarted 40 minutes later and was won by Shanahan’s team mate, Dutchman Richardo van der Endre.

Carton said: “Neil and Craig ran wide on the exit of Knickerbrook and I went though (up Clay Hill). I thought I was clear, but one of them caught my rear wheel and we all spun out.”

A spokeswoman for Brand’s Hatch Leisure, which owns Oulton Park, said: This circuit is fully compliant with all the safety criteria as laid down in the terms of our Motor Sports Association licence.”

Shanahan was one of Ireland’s brightest young talents. In his first year in the British series, he had already finished fourth twice, and was lying seventh in the points.

The death of Neil Shanahan has stunned the Formula Ford Zetec fraternity and dealt an inestimable blow to Irish motorsport, for which he embodied the immediate future. In only his third season of car racing, the Dubliner was hailed as the best from the Republic since Derek Daly (who raced in Formula 1 from 1978 – 82) and Michael Roe (CanAm champion in ’84).

Shanahan started karting as a Junior in ’93, but it was not until ’96 – when he finished runner-up in the National Formula A series – that his true ability began to blossom.

His rise in Fford was meteoric. Having won every race in the ’97 ‘Star of Tomorrow’ FF1600 series, he graduated to Ford of Ireland’s Zetec class last year, and stunned rivals when he swept to the title, winning six of the 12 rounds.

Guided throughout his car career by Mick Merrigan, he had won every major accolade at home, including the premier RIAC Dunlop Driver of the Year award twice.

I met Neil in ’97, and was greatly impressed with his intelligent, articulate and focused approach, which earned him a big following. His scintillating speed I saw later at Kirkistown and Phoenix Park.

That his life should be cruelly ended, a month before his 20th birthday, has robbed him and his wonderfully supportive family of a future which promised so much.