SEAMAN FAMILY’S HIGHS AND LOWS OF WEST CORK RALL

SEAMAN FAMILY’S HIGHS AND LOWS OF WEST CORK RALLY
The St. Patrick’s weekend was a true family affair for the Seaman clan from Bandon, as three members of the household took to the stages of the Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally.
It was a weekend defined by championship momentum for one and a resilient debut for another.
Rising co-driver Daniel Seaman (20) leaves his home event in a commanding position. Partnering East Cork’s David Herbert in their Peugeot 208 Rally4, the pair secured a fourth place finish in a stacked Rally4 class.
More importantly, their consistency across the opening two rounds of the NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship has propelled Daniel and David in to sedconnd place in the RC4 category in the championship standings.
For Daniel, a student of Automotive Management at MTU Cork, the highlight was the Friday night street stage in Clonakilty.
“Starting in the heart of Clonakilty and into the darkness was a great wake-up call for what was to come,” he said ahead of Saturday’s loop that took him past his own front door on the Kilbrittain stage.
While Daniel chased points, his sister Milly Jean Seaman made her highly anticipated stage debut alongside their father, Gerard.
Competing in a Ford Fiesta, the duo’s rally was unfortunately cut short on Saturday morning due to mechanical gremlins. Despite the best efforts of the ODM Rally Team, the car could not be fixed.
However, the disappointment hasn’t dampened the spirits of the Coláiste na Toirbhirte student.
“Certainly not the outcome we imagined for my first rally, but I had a great experience,” Milly Jean said. “First rallies are always special, but even more so when you get to do it with your dad. No doubt we’ll be back!”
The family’s deep ties to the motor industry continue off the stages at Dan Seaman Motors on Forge Hill, where Daniel balances his studies with the family dealership.
With the West Cork stages now behind them, the focus shifts North. Daniel and David Herbert will head to Dungannon for the Circuit of Ireland Rally at Easter, looking to hold that second-place spot in the championship race.

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