Mondello Park will host the most ambitious programme of feature races this year, since racing started at the Co Kildare venue in 1968. The racing season will start with Irish Championship meetings on March 21st and April 5th.
May 15th and 16th will see the spectacular Boss X-Formula One cars in action in the third RAC Super Prix, and also two rounds of the hugely successful Formula Palmer Audi Championship run by ex-Formula One driver Jonathan Palmer. And the exciting Radical sports-racers will be on track at this bumper meeting, on the international circuit.
On July 17th/18th the Historic Car Festival will have several UK categories competing on the intermediate circuit, including the International Supersports Cup, historic saloons and GT's etc. On August 7th and 8th there will be a splendid line-up of Grand Prix cars from the 1970s and '80s from the FIA-sanctioned Thoroughbred Grand Prix series - such as Ferrari, Lotus, Brabham, Williams and the unique six-wheeled Tyrrell.
The International Leinster Trophy races on September 18th and 19th will again feature rounds of the Euroseries for Formula Opel cars.
On the motorcycle racing front, there will be rounds of the British Sport Production Championship on June 12th and 13th. Rallycross events will be held on March 7th, April 25th and May 30th. In keeping with such high profile meetings, there must be much improved spectator and media facilities, plus a major clean-up, as befits a modern sporting facility.
As yet there is no major news regarding the IMRC/LMC Phoenix Park meeting, to be held on August 21st and 22nd. But there is a lot of behind-the-scenes work and negotiation with existing and potential sponsors for an attractive two days of racing in this the 75th anniversary of The Park races.
Full details of the forthcoming Ford Ka Rally Championship will be announced by the end of March. Fifteen crews have committed to the series, and further applications have had to be held until such time as more cars will become available. The series starts with the Circuit of Kerry on April 11th, which is also a round of the RIAC Red Mills National Rally Championship.
Sunday's Montrose Cup Trial, promoted by the Motor Enthusiasts Club, is round four of the MCUI Southern Centre Trials Championship. With three rounds completed, just six points separate the leading riders in Grade A, led by Paul McLoughlin, who has made a successful return to motorcycle trials after racing Formula Vee cars in the last two years. The MEC event is at the Sugar Loaf, Kilmacanogue; followed by the Dalcassian MC's event on March 7th, at Woodcock Hill, Co Clare (near Limerick City).
