Quick Facts
Biography
Martin Birrane (born 19 August 1935) is an Irish businessman, former racing driver, Born in Ballina, County Mayo, in 1935, and educated at St. Muredach's College, Birrane made his money in property development.
He is the owner of the Mondello Park racetrack in Kildare which hosts events such as Irish Rallycross, Irish Drift Championship and the Irish Formula Ford Championship.
He competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours ten times as a driver, winning the GT class in 1985. In 1990, he set the then Irish land speed record of 176 mph (283 km/h) on the then unopened Westlink now known as the M50, in Dublin.
He owned Team Ireland, a NASCAR Winston Cup Series team, from 1991 to 1992. He was owner of racing car manufacturer Lola Cars from 1997 until the firm's bankruptcy in 2012. The Sunday Times Rich List 2011 valued his assets at €85 million.