February 06, 2007
Axle Grinders
There was a bit of a traffic jam in Eyre Square on Friday night, with a long line of cars parked along the pedestrian area outside the Skeffington Hotel. No-one was going to get a parking ticket, though – the cars were part of the launch of the Galway International Rally . Not so lucky would be the legion of visiting car fanatics who thought they’d found a crafty and free spot to park – I saw loads of cars parking around the docks and quite a few shiny clamps attached to them this morning. Saturday night was like race night for the legions of boy racers hurtling through Eyre Square and around the city. I don’t know how nobody got knocked down – drunk revellers wandering across the streets don’t normally intersect with reckless driving in a good way. And where were the Gardai – there were plenty of them around ‘minding’ the racing cars on Friday – I saw one Traffic Corp car on Saturday – completely ignoring a boy racer whizzing by him on the Dock Rd.
The rally cars themselves are pricey pieces of kit, which is why they are all plastered with advertising. Someone who will let the car itself do the advertising [advertise how rich he/she is, that is] is the person who is waiting for his Bugatti Veyron to arrive. The Connacht Tribune carries the story with a picture of the beast – basically a spaceship with wing mirrors. It costs more than a million euro, and for that I hope they throw in a complimentary tow bar. The driver will need it – to tow the trailer of petrol if he wants to get very far. In urban driving, it does eight miles to the gallon, which means it will last about three quarters of an hour in a traffic jam before conking out. Better stay from Claregalway at 5.30 on a Friday evening, then. The paper also reports that someone from the county has a Ferrari 599 on order too. Hope he doesn’t suffer from status anxiety if he ends up parking it beside the Veyron – it only costs 400,000 euros, and can only do 200 mph (compared to the Veyron’s 250mph).
Am I the only one whose noticed the following ? There are all sorts of luxury car brands in Galway – Aston Martin, Maserati, BMW, Mercedes, Ferrari, etc – but I never see a Rolls Royce. Come to think of it – I don’t think I’ve seen a new one anywhere in Ireland. Their website doesn’t list a dealer in either Northern Ireland or the Republic. How can this be ? It can’t be down to a surfeit of modesty or lack of money. Maybe Rolls-Royce just aren’t cool anymore [not something I’ll have to worry about, anyway].
And for real speed freaks, the Salthill Airshow will have a new set of visitors this year – the US Air Force are sending their Thunderbirds display team. The display team fly F-16 jets which are a bit faster than the Bugatti (OK, about 1100 mph faster) but much harder to park.
Posted by Monasette at February 6, 2007 07:06 PMSome people have more money then taste... but, it was a very fascinating entry. I wonder what people in Galway are doing, to be able to afford such expensive cars. If I was very wealthy I'd much prefer a restored racing car from the late 20's early 30's - they have such style.
Posted by: pj_poppy at February 7, 2007 05:43 AMI never saw as many 'For Sale' signs on cars as I did in the Tesco car park at 3am last Saturday night. Vrooom..
Finally, some new blood at the Airshow. I might consider going...
Posted by: Sean McCormack at February 9, 2007 01:45 AMI have it on good authority that a prominent business man (and part owner of a landmark Eyre Square pub which was changed hands recently) has ordered a Roller from the UK and will be arriving some time this year, so you can stop worrying John!!
Was able to see quite a flurry of car clamping and boggled drivers in the time lapse photos from the Harbour cam. Gave me a good giggle, as that was my first thought when I initially viewed the parking spaces near the lock.
My first encounter with the Rally was staying in the forgettable hostel, Celtic something or other, in a broom closet sized room 3 stories above where the drivers were revving and heating their tires in preparation for their runs; ALL NIGHT LONG. Our closet had a window, which we had to leave open for survival...but the noise and the fumes were certainly unforgettable. I do forget what year it was, but it was the same night of the riots in Salt Hill. We had bussed from Dublin, and I'd never seen crowds so thick, though I know better now.
Posted by: Angharod at February 12, 2007 08:46 PM