Cannonball's burning rubber again!

Ultan Sherry

Following on from its trail-blazing success a few short years ago, the Cannonball supercar road-trip is returning to Ballyconnell today (Friday) at 12.30pm. The stop forms part of a route that the convoy is taking throughout the country calling to Dublin, Galway and, of course, Ballyconnell.
“There’ll be sports cars and movie-themed cars there, such as Ferrari, Aston Martin and Lamborghini,” explained Alan Bannon, the proprietor of AB Signs and a member of the Cannonball organising team.
Over 190 cars will take part in the event, along with 450 cannonballers, being the seasoned campaigners who have been on such road trips before.
“We were there in Ballyconnell two years ago and we got a great reception there from the public and had lunch in a fantastic hotel,” Mr Bannon further commented.
The road trip is part of a large event that takes place throughout Europe every year, with all of the proceeds going to charity.
Over €850,000 has been raised in recent years for Irish charities and this year’s proceeds will go to the suicide prevention group, Pieta House.

Charity
“It’s our eighth year in Ireland and we tend to focus on one particular charity every two years,” Mr Bannon outlined. “For the last two years, proceeds have went to the Make a Wish Foundation. This year, we’re giving the proceeds to Pieta House,” he continued.
A quarter of this year’s supercars are coming from the UK and some even come from as far away as Dubai. They will all be showcasing places such as Ballyconnell, as well as other lesser spotted parts of Ireland.
They include Bunratty in Co Clare and Tullamore in Co Offaly. The event in Ballyconnell will also incorporate the family festival feel, as well as Las Vegas Show Girls and the The Monster Energy JAM Truck. It’s also sponsored by Manhattan Popcorn, and Don O’Neill of the company is very excited also about the upcoming extravaganza.
“We are very proud to be part of Cannonball again in 2016 and to help raise funds for Pieta House. We recently scooped the Best Event Sponsorship Award for Cannonball at the National Event Industry Awards and also this year the iconic Cannonball movie is 35 years old so we have plenty to celebrate!”