Latest news with #RedBullDriftPursuit
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Spike Island to host Red Bull Drift Pursuit this summer
Cork's iconic Spike Island will play host to one of the biggest days in the Irish motorsport calendar this year when Red Bull Drift Pursuit takes over the former military base on Saturday July 5th. With prison walls as their backdrop, 16 of the country's top drifters will go head-to-head in a fierce 1 v 1 knockout format which promises to exhilarate seasoned drift fans and newcomers alike. This is no ordinary drift event - it will test the accuracy, control and speed of each and every driver on the track, pushing them to their absolute max. Drivers are judged on two key criteria; course time and clipping points, with penalties for any infringements. Emerging talent from the Irish drift scene will be rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in motorsport in Red Bull athletes Conor Shanahan and Josh McErlean. 9 DRFIT KING: Red Bull drifter Conor Shanahan will once again compete in Drift Pursuit Credit: RED BULL 9 ICONIC SETTING: Red Bull Drift Pursuit will take place on Cork's Spike Island Credit: RED BULL 9 WRC STAR: M-Sport Ford World Rally Championship driver Josh McErlean will be bringing his Puma Rally1 car to Cork Credit: RED BULL Both drivers will perform on the day, alongside Conor's brother Jack, delivering explosive demos that blend the rally power of Josh's M-Sport World Rally Ford Puma with the drifting precision of Conor's Toyota GT86 in a one-of-a-kind, gearbox-shredding display. The event kicks off at 6.45pm, finishing at 8.30pm. Tickets are on sale now on the Red Bull website, priced at €45 for a standing ticket and €55 for a seated ticket. Ferry transfers from Ringaskiddy or Cobh are included in the ticket, with ferries running throughout the day. On the announcement, Cork drifter and Red Bull athlete Conor Shanahan said: 'As a proud Corkman, it is incredible to see a drift event like this take place at such an iconic location like Spike Island. Some of the best drifters in Ireland will be competing, and I know Jack and I are looking forward to putting on a show.' 9 ISLAND BOYS: Cork natives Jack and Conor Shanahan will both be competing and taking part in a Q&A session before the events blasts off at 6:45pm Credit: RED BULL 9 IN A SPIN: Action from Red Bull Drift Pursuit in Limerick last May Credit: RED BULL 9 RAGING BULLS: Conor Shanahan competing at fthe Drift Masters European Championship Credit: RED BULL Before the action kicks off, spectators can avail of Spike Island tours to learn more about the island's rich history as a naval base and more recently as a prison. Drift Masters Conor and Jack Shanahan will be doing a Q&A alongside WRC star Josh McErlean, while the drivers' paddock will also be open to spectators keen to get a closer look at the action. There are four Cork drivers among those set to compete at Red Bull Drift Pursuit, with Aidan Dennehy, Owen Magner, Trevor Healy and Alan Hynes, the 2024 Red Bull Drift Pursuit champion, all sure to benefit from a vocal local support. Most read in Motors 9 2024 DRIFT PURSUIT CHAMP: Alan Hynes seen at the Red Bull Drift Pursuit in Limerick Credit: RED BULL 2025 grid competing in Red Bull Drift Pursuit DRIVERS LINE-UP Stephen Halferty (Derry) Aidan Dennehy (Cork) Alex Butler (Louth) Owen Magner (Cork) Colin O'Sullivan (Kerry) Trevor Healy (Cork) Jack Caldwell (Tyrone) Alan Hynes (Cork) *2024 RBDP Champ Davan Leahy (Waterford) Jake Davey (Galway) Sean Carson (Tyrone) Jakub Krzyszczak (Waterford) Harry Kerr (Antrim) Tom Hayden (Kildare) Erikas Navickas (Kildare) Alan O'Loghlen (Galway) Peter Molloy (Down) Craig Searles (Limerick) An unforgettable evening of speed and skill in the historic surroundings of Spike Island awaits. To keep up to date with all things Red Bull Drift Pursuit, follow @redbullire on Instagram and TikTok or visit : What is Red Bull Drift Pursuit? Red Bull Drift Pursuit is a unique 1v1 drift battle competition, which will take place this year on Spike Island, Co. Cork. This is the competition's second year, having made its debut at Limerick Greyhound Stadium in 2024. Getting to Spike Island The only way to get to Spike Island for the event is by ferry. The ferry transfer to Spike Island is included in your ticket. Ferries will depart from Cobh and Ringaskiddy piers. Departure/Return time and location are selected at point of purchase. No other means of travel to Spike Island for the event will be permitted. 9 ACTION PACKED: Competitors seen at the Red Bull Drift Pursuit in Limerick Credit: RED BULL TICKET SALES: Both standing and seated tickets are available and return ferry is included in the ticket price. Tickets are priced €55 (seated) and €45 (standing) including booking fees. Tickets are on sale now via: Ferry information: There are two options for your ferry transfer. 1: The Ringaskiddy ferry will depart from Paddy's Point, 2: The Cobh ferry will depart from Kennedy Pier, There will be car parking options at both ferry departure points. Please arrive at the pier 10-15 minutes before your ferry/ticket booking. Passengers must be on time for their booked time slot/ferry departure. Due to limited capacity, no alternative ferry departure will be offered. Passengers cannot leave the island before their designated return ferry. No changes can be made to ferry departure points or times after purchase. Children: Red Bull Drift Pursuit is suitable for all age groups. Children of all ages will require a standard seating or standing ticket. Please note that this is an outdoor motorsports event with some walking between the ferry and event site, so please dress appropriately, expect loud noises and bring relevant ear protection, particularly for children. Accesibility: The event is wheelchair friendly. Activity on Spike Island: Guided tours of Spike Island are included with the ticket and are available throughout the day, or you can explore the prison without a guide. There will be food and drink outlets on site with picnic tables; picnic and picnic blankets are welcome and visitors can bring their own picnics or snacks to the island to eat. Read more on the Irish Sun Alcohol and glassware/glass bottles of any sort are not permitted to be brought to the event. There will be alcohol on sale in the Spike Island café. Drones are not permitted to be used at the event. More information, including the event map and schedule of events can be found on the Red Bull website at: 9 LE THE GAMES BEGIN: Red Bull Drift Pursuit will get underway on July 5 Credit: RED BULL
Irish Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Daily Mirror
Notorious Irish prison island to host unique sporting event
Spike Island, the site of a notorious prison that remained in use until 2004, will this summer host a unique sporting event. The island will play host to one of the biggest days in the Irish motorsport calendar this year when Red Bull Drift Pursuit takes over the former military base on Saturday July 5th. The event will see 16 of the country's top drifters go head-to-head in a fierce 1v1 knockout format, with the storied prison walls as their backdrop. It will test the accuracy, control and speed of each and every driver on the track, pushing them to their absolute max. Drivers will be judged on two key criteria; course time and clipping points, with penalties for any infringements. Emerging talent from the Irish drift scene will be rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in motorsport in Red Bull athletes, Conor Shanahan and Josh McErlean. Both drivers will perform on the day, alongside Conor's brother Jack, delivering explosive demos that blend the rally power of Josh's M-Sport World Rally Ford Puma with the drifting precision of Conor's Toyota GT86 in a one-of-a-kind, gearbox-shredding display. The event kicks off at 6.45pm and finishes at 8.30pm, and tickets are on sale now on the Red Bull website, priced at €45 for a standing ticket and €55 for a seated ticket. Ferry transfers from Ringaskiddy or Cobh are included in the ticket, with ferries running throughout the day. Cork drifter and Red Bull athlete Conor Shanahan said: 'As a proud Corkman, it is incredible to see a drift event like this take place at such an iconic location like Spike Island. 'Some of the best drifters in Ireland will be competing, and I know Jack and I are looking forward to putting on a show.' Before the action kicks off, spectators can avail of Spike Island tours to learn more about the island's rich history as a naval base and more recently as a prison. Drift Masters Conor and Jack Shanahan will do a Q&A alongside WRC star Josh McErlean, while the drivers' paddock will also be open to spectators keen to get a closer look at the action. There are four Cork drivers among those set to compete at Red Bull Drift Pursuit - with Aidan Dennehy, Owen Magner, Trevor Healy and Alan Hynes. Follow @redbullire on Instagram and TikTok or visit for more information.
Irish Examiner
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Ireland's top drifters to go head-to-head on Spike Island
The iconic Spike Island in Cork Harbour is set to be a lock-out on Saturday July 5th next when it will reverberate to the sounds of race and rally cars of Red Bull athletes. Local ace and professional drifter Conor Shanahan (from Killavullen) and World Rally star Josh McErlean will perform demonstration drives in their respective Toyota GT86 and M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 cars. The duo, along with Conor's brother Jack are part of a one and three quarter hour show that features the Red Bull Drift Pursuit when sixteen of the country's top drifters go head-to-head (knockout format) at the former military base and prison. The evening of exhilarating and thrilling motorsport event has a Cork versus Kerry battle when Trevor Healy (Cork) takes on Colin O'Sullivan (Kerry) in the first round of sixteen. Drivers will be judged on two key criteria - course time and clipping points, with penalties for any infringements. Each of the head to head contests is about accuracy, control and speed. The presence of the Shanahan's brothers should be a great spectacle as they are world renowned for showcasing their unique skills. McErlean, along with his Killeagh co-driver Eoin Treacy, is showing good form in their maiden WRC Rally1 season. Speaking ahead of the event, Killavullen native Shanahan said: 'As a proud Corkman, it is incredible to see a drift event like this take place at such an iconic location like Spike Island. Some of the best drifters in Ireland will be competing and I know Jack and I are looking forward to putting on a show.' McErlean said. "It's (Spike Island) one of the most iconic locations in the country, so to bring the energy of a Red Bull drift event here is something seriously special. Driving the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 car in a place like this, it's going to be loud, fast and an unforgettable experience.' The event will roar into action at 6.45pm and is scheduled to finish at 8.30pm. Tickets are currently on sale on the Red Bull website, priced at €45 for a standing ticket and €55 for a seated ticket. Ferry transfers from Ringaskiddy or Cobh are included in the ticket, with ferries running throughout the day. Prior to the competition itself, spectators can avail of Spike Island tours to learn more about the island's history as a monastic settlement and its 18th-century bastion fort (Fort Mitchel). It's strategic location within the Cork Harbour meant it was used for defence, a naval base and more recently, a prison. During the evening the Shanahan brothers and McErlean will partake in a Q&A session while the drivers' paddock will be open to spectators keen to get a closer look at the action. The other Cork drivers that will participate in the Red Bull Drift Pursuit are Alan Hynes, the 2024 Red Bull Drift Pursuit champion, Aidan Dennehy and Owen Magner.
