A RACING driver taking the sport by storm in Britain is crediting his ‘Donegal Rally’ blood with his success.
Jack McCarthy’s grandmother Breda McCarthy is from Dunfanaghy and his dad Warren McCarthy famously bought the Shandon Hotel & Spa before pumping in millions to refurbish the landmark hotel, creating over 100 jobs in the process.
Jack’s love of racing must come from his Irish connections, he says.
Autumn 2017 he even brought his racing car at the time (Clio cup) to the Shandon to show off at the Harvest Rally stages.
The Londoner’s home circuit these days isn’t Horn Head or the Fanad peninsula – but the world famous Brand’s Hatch.
And he’s doing his little bit for Donegal by advertising the Wild Atlantic Way hotel on his car!
“Donegal is definitely in the blood and I think my love of motor-racing is just part of my Irish DNA,” says Jack, aged 18
“Like my father, growing up has involved long summers back home in Donegal and it is definitely part of me. When I race I’m racing just as much for Donegal as I am for anything else. I might not have a north Donegal accent, but it’s definitely part of me.”
Jack managed a couple of podium finishes at Brands Hatch earlier this month in the Porsche Carrera Cup. He’s in action again this weekend in the famous Donnington Park track.
“Every time I get in the car I’m learning a lot and the changing weather conditions this weekend presented me with lots of new scenarios to tackle. I felt like I dealt with them well and showed that I have strong pace in all conditions, which bodes well for the rest of the year.
“Unfortunately overtaking opportunities are limited around the Brands Hatch Indy circuit in these cars, so I didn’t quite get the chance to make further progress up the Pro Am order, however I’m happy that I showed I have the pace the be right there with the class leaders.”
