News
UK Trip Driver Reactions News: international
| Posted On | 16th Feb 2026 |
|---|---|
| Posted By | Racing/Motorsport |
| Author | CHLOE KELLETT (President) |
| Location | Daytona Milton Keynes |
See what our members thought of our first ULRM overseas trip to the UK in semester 1!
Liam Kelly -
The ULRM UK Trip 2025 was an amazing experience that was planned expertly to give us all a great experience on our weekend. In the lead up to the trip we had lots of constant communication from the planning committee about the trip and in the week leading up to the trip we had an information night. This gave us a chance to meet everyone else on the trip, and also for complete information about the race, travel details, accommodation arrangements, and anything else we needed to know for the weekend. This in depth info evening meant that everyone knew what to expect from the trip, but also what was expected of us on the trip so anyone who was anxious about the trip had their nerves eased.
On the Friday of the trip we met at the arranged time, organised our gear in the vehicles and set off for Dublin port. We had an early start so the roads were nice and clear and all drivers had been added to a groupchat and the best route communicated for the drive up (I was a driver). We boarded the ferry and found some nice tables to sit (and nap) at. On arrival in Holyhead, a stop at a shop and McDonald’s had been planned for everyone to get food and snacks for the drive to Milton Keynes. We then set off on our drive, battling traffic and road closures but the drivers groupchat made communicating routes easier, there were 2 people in each vehicle in the groupchat so that one could navigate and one could drive. Once we arrived at the accommodation the committee members collected the keys and helped divide up the rooms well for people so that everyone was comfortable with who they were sharing with etc. Then we met up for dinner and the entire group ate together and had a great evening. We arranged our meeting time and location for the morning and made sure everyone knew the plan and where we were going. We also discussed our race strategies and were able to get advice from the members that had done races before, this guidance was great to have for us new racers.
On the Saturday morning we met at the arranged time, packed our gear for the race, and went to the track. At the track everyone helped set up our pitboxes with all the equipment we’d be using and got signed in with the race organisers. We then had practice, qualifying, and the race, all of which we ran according to our planned strategy. Food and drinks had been brought for us and we all depended on each other for info while racing and to get set up for each of our stints. The entire race was unreal and we had such a good time during the race. Even when we were in the pits we had stuff to be doing and it felt as though we were actually a race team, planning strategies and organising when we would pit. The karting race is one of the best things I have ever done, being part of a team like we were and actually taking part in a highly competitive race was unreal. It was a brilliant event to have chosen and all the support we got from the club and committee for it made the race as good as it was for us. It was an unforgettable experience. Towards the end of the race we got pizza delivered, organised by the committee so the entire team could get some food as there wouldn’t be time for dinner that evening. When the race finished we celebrated as if we had won and got plenty of pictures as teams with our karts, and on the podium, both as a club and in our individual teams. Everyone was in great form and we had a brilliant evening.
Then it was back to our accommodation, we planned our time and meeting spot for the morning and all got straight to sleep since we were exhausted after the long day. We met in the morning as planned and made our way to Brands Hatch for the Formula Ford Festival. We explored all over the circuit with the committee guiding us as to where we could go to get a good view of all the racing, where there was food, and how to get a good spot in the grandstand. We had a great day out watching loads of races with loads of different classes of car racing on the day with the formula ford race being the big event. We saw many Irish drivers competing, some of whom had great races which we were delighted to see. For some people it was even their first day at a race track so this event opened that door for them in a comfortable group environment with guidance from more experienced members. After the last race we left the track through a quieter gate that one of the committee had found out about for us so we were out of the circuit quite quickly. We planned where we would get dinner and set off towards Holyhead for the ferry. We boarded quickly at Holyhead as the late ferry was quite quiet, which I would imagine is why it was the one chosen. I slept the entire way on the ferry so I can’t really comment on how that was but I’m sure it was lovely!!! And when we arrived in Dublin we headed straight for UL to drop everyone back, return all gear from both vehicles and that was the end of our trip.
The trip was amazing and everyone had a great time. It really was one of the best experiences of my life and 100% a highlight of college for me. I’m so grateful for all the work that was put in organising it and everyone that had a hand in it. The trip really was amazing.
Niall de Tiuit -
Our trip to the UK was by far the most enjoyable trip I have been on as part of any UL society. After a long day of travelling on the Friday, we gathered together at a renowned establishment for a team dinner where we all bonded and discussed the weekends events. The highlight of the trip for me was definitely the Daytona 600 - 10 hour endurance race. The first 10-hour race held at Daytona Milton Keynes. We competed against many seasoned and semi-professional racing drivers, who had regular, boring team names unlike 'Racecar Spelt Backwards' and 'Provisional I-Racers'. As each UL team had 6 and 7 drivers respectively, everyone had to complete 80 to 100 minutes of karting throughout the race. It was a brilliant experience, working as a team to figure out strategy calls, when to pit and refuel etc. Ever changing weather added to the experience of the day, as rain came and went. I underwent a great deal of character development navigating that track. Being in the slower of the 2 karting classes, it was important to learn how to let the faster karts passed without losing time, or hitting a barrier. A spin and a wallop of a tyre wall meant 'perhaps that move didn't quite work'. In the end both teams achieved our goal of not coming last.
The following day was just as enjoyable as the last. The Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch gave us the opportunity to see many different racing divisions and levels competing throughout the day from experienced Formula Ford drivers to junior Super Saloons. It was great to be able to walk around the team garages watching the cars being prepped for the races and talking to mechanics. To top it all off, it was unforgettable to see an All-Irish podium for the Formula Ford Grand Final.
Overall, the UK trip was definitely the best trip I've been on at UL and I hope to see us return for round 2.
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