Niall McShea
Encyclopedia
Niall McShea is an Irish
rally
driver. He won the Production World Rally Championship
(PWRC) in 2004 in a Subaru Impreza WRX STI
. He currently drives for the Proton R3 Rally Team in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge
(IRC).
, Northern Ireland
, had his first experience at the wheel of a car was at the age of four when he slipped off the seat of his mother's car and drove into the front door of their house. In 1997 he won the Nissan Micra Challenge, before moving onto the British Rally Championship
. In 2001 he competed in the first season of the Junior World Rally Championship
driving a Ford Puma
and then a Citroën Saxo
, finishing in third in the standings. The following year he drove a Ray Mallock Ltd-prepared Opel Corsa
in the championship, but mechanical issues restricted him to just two finishes, meaning he could only finish seventh in the standings.
In 2003 he moved onto the PWRC in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI, finishing sixth in the standings and winning the final round of the season - the Tour de Corse
. In 2004 he drove a Subaru Impreza WRX STi
, and won the championship after taking four podium finishes. Funding problems would restrict McShea to limited appearances over the following seasons, but won the PWRC class on 2007 Rally Ireland
. On the same event in 2009, McShea drove a Proton Satria Neo S2000, setting the third fastest stage time on the opening stage, before retiring from the event.
In 2010 McShea has continued driving for Proton in the IRC. He retired from his first outing at the Czech Rally
on stage nine with technical problems while running nineteen.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
rally
Rallying
Rallying, also known as rally racing, is a form of auto racing that takes place on public or private roads with modified production or specially built road-legal cars...
driver. He won the Production World Rally Championship
Production World Rally Championship
The FIA Production World Rally Championship, or PWRC, is a companion rally series to the World Rally Championship, and is driven on the same stages. PWRC is limited to production-based cars homologated under the Group N. The series began in 2002, replacing the FIA Group N Rally Championship...
(PWRC) in 2004 in a Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Subaru Impreza WRX STI
The Subaru Impreza WRX STI, has the highest trim in the Subaru Impreza compact car line, produced by Japanese automaker Subaru.In the late 1980s, Subaru created the Subaru Tecnica International division to coordinate development for the FIA World Rally Championship and other motorsports activities...
. He currently drives for the Proton R3 Rally Team in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge
Intercontinental Rally Challenge
The Intercontinental Rally Challenge is a rallying series organised by SRW Ltd and sanctioned by the FIA, aiming to "give new opportunities to young or amateur rally drivers competing in recognised regional and international rallies, while offering organisers an innovative TV format concept,...
(IRC).
Career
McShea's, who born in EnniskillenEnniskillen
Enniskillen is a town in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is located almost exactly in the centre of the county between the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne. It had a population of 13,599 in the 2001 Census...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, had his first experience at the wheel of a car was at the age of four when he slipped off the seat of his mother's car and drove into the front door of their house. In 1997 he won the Nissan Micra Challenge, before moving onto the British Rally Championship
British Rally Championship
The Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship is a yearly rallying series based in the United Kingdom. It comprises seven events with eight scoring opportunities throughout the British Isles. The first championship was run in 1958 and it has been licensed by the MSA Motor Sports Association since...
. In 2001 he competed in the first season of the Junior World Rally Championship
Junior World Rally Championship
The FIA Junior World Rally Championship is a complementary series to the World Rally Championship as is the Production World Rally Championship , and the Super 2000 World Rally Championship . As JWRC was originally envisioned as a series for developing drivers, it is limited to drivers below the...
driving a Ford Puma
Ford Puma
The Ford Puma was a small sports coupé produced by the Ford Motor Company from 1997 to 2001 http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/owners-reviews/search.aspx?range=438#fuel=P&Body=Coupe&transmission=M, for sale in Europe...
and then a Citroën Saxo
Citroën Saxo
The Citroën Saxo is a supermini produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1996 to 2003. It was also sold in Japan as the Citroën Chanson. It shares many engine and body parts with the Peugeot 106 , the major difference being interiors and body panels...
, finishing in third in the standings. The following year he drove a Ray Mallock Ltd-prepared Opel Corsa
Opel Corsa
The front-wheel drive Opel Corsa was first launched in September 1982 to replace the Opel Kadett C City, and to fill the gap vacated as the Kadett grew in size and price. Built in Zaragoza, Spain, the first Corsas were three-door hatchback and two-door saloon models, with four-door and five-door...
in the championship, but mechanical issues restricted him to just two finishes, meaning he could only finish seventh in the standings.
In 2003 he moved onto the PWRC in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI, finishing sixth in the standings and winning the final round of the season - the Tour de Corse
Tour de Corse
The Tour de Corse - Rallye de France is a rally first held in 1956 on the island of Corsica. It was part of the World Rally Championship from the inaugural 1973 season to 2008. The name "Tour de Corse" refers to the fact that in the early days it was run around the island; nowadays it only features...
. In 2004 he drove a Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Subaru Impreza WRX STI
The Subaru Impreza WRX STI, has the highest trim in the Subaru Impreza compact car line, produced by Japanese automaker Subaru.In the late 1980s, Subaru created the Subaru Tecnica International division to coordinate development for the FIA World Rally Championship and other motorsports activities...
, and won the championship after taking four podium finishes. Funding problems would restrict McShea to limited appearances over the following seasons, but won the PWRC class on 2007 Rally Ireland
2007 Rally Ireland
The 2007 Rally Ireland , 15th round of 2007 World Rally Championship, was run on November 15 - November 18. It took place over eight counties on both sides of the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland...
. On the same event in 2009, McShea drove a Proton Satria Neo S2000, setting the third fastest stage time on the opening stage, before retiring from the event.
In 2010 McShea has continued driving for Proton in the IRC. He retired from his first outing at the Czech Rally
2010 Czech Rally
The 2010 Czech Rally , was the ninth round of the 2010 Intercontinental Rally Challenge season and also a round of the European Rally Championship. The seventeen stage asphalt rally took place on 27 – 29 August 2010...
on stage nine with technical problems while running nineteen.