He only needed one point from the event - which he was awarded when he started the rally - to become the National Forest Championship. He had slipped off the road on stage four and registered his first non-finish of the season. His co driver was Mark Wiley. With three wins and two championship second places, O'Connell had led the series from start to finish.
Here, Pat answers a number of questions put to him starting with how he had become involved in motorsport.
Q&A with Pat O'Connell, 2010 Petro Systems National Forest Champion.
Pat O’Connell factfile
Home: Cashel Co. Tipperary.
Birth date: 5th May
Occupation: Cashel Auto Parts
Road car BMW 520d
Favourite road car: BMW M3
Rally car: Mitsubishi Evo 9
Favourite rally car: Skoda Fabia S 2000
Marital status: Engaged to Siobhan
Motorsport heroes: Colin McRae, Frank Meagher
Hobbies Racket Ball, Walking
Website: www.cashelautoparts.com
Sponsors: Joe O’Connell wholesale, www.lvd.ie, Tecnoparts, Kumho Tyres
How did you become involved in motorsport? Going to rallies with my father Donal as a young kid!!
What was your first event? Banna Beach
Did you always do forestry? No, the first forestry rally I did was Mitchelstown -this was the first round of the 2004 Ford Ka championship which I won, the PRO of the championship wrote that I was “King of the Woods” on the day and that inspired me to get involved with forestry rallying.
What are your plans for 2011? Getting married in April! Would like to do Wales Rally GB-National Rally or something different at the end of the year.
Did you expect to win the Petro Systems National Irish Forest Rally Championship? No, anything can happen in rallying, but I got off to a good start by winning the first three rounds and that made it easier for the second half of the championship.
What drive are you most proud of? Mitchelstown and Moonraker rallies this year.
Have you had any heart-stopping moments? Ya, when I get the bills after the rallies!
What do you need to get a good result? A well prepared car, and drive like hell..
How important is your navigator? Very important, when a driver and co-driver work well together the times will show at the end of the stages. I must say that Mark (Wiley) did a brilliant job as a co-driver all year.
Do you need to be fit? Yes it’s good for your concentration.
Are there many dangers? Yes there are always dangers, but the safety standard in rally cars is very good nowadays. The introduction of Hans devices was also a good move!
What do you do between events? Work…
What advice would you give to someone who wants to become involved in motorsport? Do a few rallysprints and sprints first before you compete in a stage rally.
Is there anything else you would like to say? More competitors should try forestry rallying, they are well organised, great craic and hassle free events.
Austin Shinnors PRO Petro Systems National Forest Championship.
