The community and enterprise section of Roscommon County Council will explore the possibility of developing an oval racing track in County Roscommon this autumn following the adoption of a resolution proposed by councillors at Monday’s meeting of the local authority. Cllr. Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan’s proposal that Roscommon County Council would provide land for an oval racing track was unanimously adopted by councillors. Cllr. Tony Waldron seconded it. Cllr. Flanagan described an oval racing track as ‘a facility which is badly needed by the young people in this county’ at the meeting. The news will be welcomed by motoring enthusiasts who were dismayed last year by the closure of a similar facility in the Boyle area and it is hoped that the Community and Enterprise section of Roscommon County Council will engage with the matter this autumn. Speaking to Roscommon People on Tuesday evening, Cllr. Flanagan explained that County Manager John Tiernan’s reaction to the proposal was ‘pretty positive’. The Castlerea councillor expressed hope that a club similar to the one that existed in Boyle last year will develop in the county again. ‘It would be a welcome addition to the county if a club of its type was to open up again. Oval racing is a form of stock car racing. Cars are reinforced with roller bars and special bucket seats are installed in all the vehicles. The sport gives young people a chance to drive fast and race their peers in an environment that is infinitely safer than doing it on a road. ‘The sport also gives young people an opportunity to develop skills in the mechanics of cars. It also acts as great training for when driving on the roads in that it improves one’s reaction time as well as one’s ability to deal with a crisis situation,’ said Cllr. Flanagan.
This Week’s Digital Edition
