David Sheane

David Sheane who passed away recently made a fantastic contribution to several branches of motorsport.
A brilliant mechanical engineer, manufacturing and maintaining farm equipment, he went about his business quietly, never putting himself in the limelight.
Helpful beyond words to those who often did not have the facilities to get started in motorsport, many will mourn David’s passing, grateful for his time and generosity.
One of the least glamorous, but nevertheless fun and affordable, branches of motorsport is ‘Observed Section Trials’ or ‘Mudplugging’.
I think it is not an exaggeration to say that David Sheane ‘rescued’ Mudplugging inn the 70s when it became difficult to source ‘specials’ suitable for the rough terrain encountered. David launched the rear-engined class, essentially a VW Beetle with the body removed. This was a relatively simple and inexpensive machine in which you could get involved. In the Blainroe area of Wicklow, if it couldn’t be done in a Beetle, it couldn’t be done.
This ‘simplicity’ was demonstrated by a friend and also a TDC committee member at the time. He ‘acquired’ a VW Beetle, removed the bolts fixing the body, and assisted by his wife towed the Beetle to the dump in Greystones where they rolled the body off and towed the remains home. All that was then required was a rollover bar and a couple of plastic chairs to have a basic ‘mudplugger’
Thus began the great rivalry between front and rear engined-cars, which exists to the present day when the number of entries remains in a healthy state.
Our sincere sympathy goes out to Evelyn and family who shared a life well lived with David.
The lovely photo is courtesy of Roy Stewart.
Clive Evans

Very nice piece.

I didn't know David, but he did so much to keep grassroots motorsport alive in Ireland.

My sincere sympathy to the Sheane family.