Martin Birrane

Martin Brendan Birrane (19 August 1935 – 9 June 2018) was an Irish businessman and former racing driver. Born in Ballina, County Mayo and educated at St Muredach's College, Birrane made his money in property development, with his company Peer Group.

Birrane was the owner of the Mondello Park racetrack in County Kildare, which is the only FIA 3 1/2 kilometre track in Ireland. It hosts domestic and international events.

Biranne competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours ten times as a driver, winning the GT class in 1985. In 1990, he attempted to break the then Irish land speed record of 294.56 km/h, set by Mel Nolan on a turbocharged motorcycle over a "flying kilometre" on the Carrigrohane Straight in Cork in 1981. Martin reached on the then-unopened Westlink, now known as the M50, in Dublin.

Birrane owned Team Ireland, a NASCAR Winston Cup Series car racing team from 1991 to 1992. He was the owner of racing car manufacturer Lola Cars from 1997 until the company was closed down in 2012. The Sunday Times Rich List 2011 valued his assets at €85 million.

Birrane died in June 2018 at the age of 82.

Racing record

Complete British Saloon Car Championship results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap.) Year Team Car Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Pts Class 1968 Martin Birrane Ford Falcon Sprint BRH THR SIL CRY MAL BRH SIL13 CRO OUL BRHRet BRHNC NC 0 NC 1969 Martin Birrane Ford Falcon Sprint BRHDNS SIL18 SNE6 THR5 SILRet CRYRet† MALRet† CRO18 SILDNS OUL6 BRHRet BRHRet 21st 10 4th 1970 Martin Birrane Ford Mustang BRH SNE THR SILRet CRYDNS SILRet SIL CRODNS BRH OUL BRHRet BRH2 31st 8 6th 1971 Martin Birrane Ford Mustang Boss 302 BRH SNE7 THRRet SILRet CRYRet† SILRet CRO SIL4 OUL4 BRHDNS MAL BRH4 23rd 10 6th 1972 Cona Coffee Machine Company Ford Mustang Boss 302 BRHRet OUL8 THRRet SIL7 CRY8† BRHRet OULRet SIL7 MAL BRHRet 26th 10 6th 1973 Martin Birrane Ford Mustang Boss 302 BRH SIL THR THR SIL ING BRH SILDNS BRH NC 0 NC 1974 Adlards of Brixton Ford Capri 3000 GT MAL7† BRH7 SIL15 OUL THR SIL THR BRH ING BRH7† OUL SNE BRHRet 22nd 15 6th † Events with 2 races staged for the different classes.

Complete World Sportscar Championship results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) Footnotes

Complete European F5000 Championship results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap.) Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Pts 1974 Crowne Racing Brabham BT43 Chevrolet 5.0 V8 BRH MAL SIL OUL BRH ZOL THR ZAN MUG MNZ MAL MON THR BRH OUL SNE MAL BRH NC 0

Complete Shellsport International Series results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap) Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Pts 1976 David Price Racing Chevron B29 Ford BDA 1.6 L4 MAL SNE OUL BRH THR BRH MAL SNE NC 0 Martin Birrane Ford BDA Nicholson 1.6 L4 BRH THR OUL BRH BRH 1977 Martin Birrane Chevron B29 Ford BDA 1.6 L4 MAL SNE OUL BRH MAL THR BRH OUL MAL DON BRH THR SNE BRH NC 0

24 Hours of Le Mans results