Wicklow's Tim Swail looks set to be the new star of Formula Sheane racing having dominated the final of the 2012 'Become A Racing Driver' competition at Mondello Park, to win the Motorsport opportunity of a lifetime. 24 year old Swail beat off eight other drivers to lift the prize and now has just one week to prepare for his Motor Racing Début at Mondello Park next Saturday and Sunday (April 14th & 15th).
Swail won the €15,000 prize following a day of assessment at the Mondello Park Motor Racing School and will now race, free of charge, for a full season in Formula Sheane, courtesy of Mondello Park, Sheane Cars and Murray Motorsport. On his way to winning the prize drive, the twenty four year old underwent assessment in a Mazda 3 race car and a Formula Sheane single seater, in addition to a media skills interview,. Tim was up against stiff competition from eight other heat winners, including two of last years beaten finalists.
On his way to first prize, Swail set a new lap record for the competition. The winners record time eclipsed that set by 2011 winner Sean Hynes who was present on the day to hand over his Formula Sheane drive to Swail.
Speaking shortly after the results announcement Swail said, “It still hasn't sunk in. I'm ecstatic, it's hard to put into words but this is a dream come true. My family has a long held interest in motorsport and I always wanted to race, but without this win it probably never would have happened. I have less than one week to prepare so next weekend I will just want to go out, get some experience and stay out of the way of the faster drivers. By the end of the year I aim to be finishing in the top four or five in the races and would hope to make at least the top six in the championship. I would like to thank everyone involved for giving me this opportunity and I hope I can take up where Sean Hynes left off last year.”
Mondello Park chief Instructor Ken Elliott summed up Swail's performance, saying, “Tim is a very impressive driver and fully deserved to win the competition. He set a new lap record and really impressed all of the instructors and judges. I would expect Tim to be challenging for podium places by the middle of the season.”
Tim Swail is the second driver to win Mondello Park's “Become A Racing Driver Competition” and will receive a prize package which includes use of a Formula Sheane car for the 2012 season and transport and preparation of that car by the Sheane Cars factory. Mondello Park will cover all entry, testing and coaching fees while Murray Motorsport will provide the winner with a full set of race-wear to keep.
The search for the next 'Become A Racing Driver' champion will begin very soon and details of the competition can be found on the Mondello Park web site.