Sport

First championship event set for Mondello in May

MOTOR SPORT/Formula Ireland: Formula Ireland  has been confirmed as the new premier class in Irish motor racing

By Brian Foley
Fri Jan 11 2002 - 00:00

MOTOR SPORT/Formula Ireland: Formula Ireland  has been confirmed as the new premier class in Irish motor racing. The modern Formula One look-alike Van Diemen cars with 2.0 litre Ford power will have similar performance to the now defunct Formula Opel and Formula Europa.

The first Formula Ireland Championship racing is scheduled to start at Mondello Park on May 5th/6th, with at least 10 cars on the grid. The minimum championship requirement of 12-car grids is expected to be on target for July.

Another exciting prospect is a revitalised Formula Ford Zetec, and the (relatively) low budget Formula Vee class will continue to be as popular as ever.

In addition to the Dunlop RT saloons, the new Fiat Punto Abarth class will provide quick and close competition. With support from Fiat Auto (Ireland), over 21 of the new 140 mph Punto HGT Abarths will be raced this year.

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Midget Car Racing continues to be the cheapest form of motorsport, providing close competition and good fun for as little as £1,000 for a car and trailer, plus a racing suit and helmet for £450.

Racing on grass calls for great car control and in this respect, midget car racing is an ideal starting point for young drivers with ambitions to progress to karting and formula racing. The 2001 championship winners list reads: 850cc class: Declan Nolan; 1000cc: Patrick O'Beirne; 1200cc: John Newsome; Juniors:John Tracy; Schwazkopf Trophy: Frank O'Connell; Dublin Trophy and Wicklow Trophy: Fran Brereton.

John Tracy (18) won the coveted Gellar Trophy He also won the Juniors and was second in two other classes in only his second season in midget car racing.

Michael Slein (14) from Clontarf won four titles to make it a grand slam in kart racing in 2001. Having won the IKC, Southern Club and Munster Championships, he went on to win the National Championship. He finished every round but one in the top four, his only retirement caused by an engine failure. The talented Dublin youngster graduates to the JICA Championship this year.

•This year's World Rally Championship gets under way next week with the Monte Carlo Rally, which for the first time will only have 'works' and manufacturer-supported cars.

SUNDAY: Dublin & District MCC Jacob Cup M/C trial, Lacken, Blessington, Co Wicklow, 11.0.