Martin Birrane


Martin Brendan Birrane 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.
He 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.
He 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

† Events with 2 races staged for the different classes.

Complete World Sportscar Championship results

;Footnotes:

Complete European F5000 Championship results

YearEntrantChassisEngine123456789101112131415161718Pts
1974Crowne RacingBrabham BT43Chevrolet 5.0 V8BRHMALSILOULBRHZOLTHRZANMUGMNZ
Ret		MAL
DNQ		MONTHR
Ret		BRHOULSNEMALBRHNC0

Complete Shellsport International Series results

YearEntrantChassisEngine1234567891011121314Pts
1976David Price RacingChevron B29Ford BDA 1.6 L4MALSNEOULBRHTHRBRH
DNQ		MALSNENC0
1976Martin BirraneChevron B29Ford BDA Nicholson 1.6 L4BRH
25		THROULBRH
DNS		BRHNC0
1977Martin BirraneChevron B29Ford BDA 1.6 L4MALSNEOULBRHMALTHRBRHOULMALDONBRH
Ret		THRSNEBRHNC0

24 Hours of Le Mans results