Mondello Park's Rallycross programme has never been as hectic as the circuit prepares for another round of the Irish championship this weekend. Following the long winter break, the first event of 2009 had to be cancelled due to snow, and competitors now find themselves finishing off their championship over an exciting three week period.
Last weekend's Rallycross went the way of Derrick Jobb who extended his lead in the series over the Coyne brothers Willie and Michael. Jobb's Supercar opposition fell by the wayside in the Division 1 'A' Final to leave his Escort and the Celica of Andrew Morris as the only Division 1 cars to make the Superfinal. On a very dry day the 4WD advantage of the Supercar's was reduced allowing the fastest six from the Modified classes to give them a run for their money in the main race of the day. In the end Jobb won easily from Michael Coyne and Willie Coyne who had a tremendous tussle throughout with Ian O'Connell's giant killing Mini and the Celica Supercar of Morris.
This Sunday Jobb will be back at Mondello hoping to tie up the championship prior to the final round in two weekends time. This would allow him to concentrate on getting in among the British championship runners in what will be the final round of the Irish championship and the opening round of the 2009 British series.
Seven Supercar's will line up at Mondello on Sunday. Most likely to trouble Jobb will be local drivers Eddie Kinirons, hoping to be back in his Focus having reverted to his older Celica last weekend, and Tommy Graham, who is set to debut his new Fiesta ST. Also Fiesta mounted will be Declan Kelly while the Morris team from Wexford will bring a Celica for Andrew Morris, Michael Morris's Subaru and the teams other Subaru for Paul Pascoe.
If the weather continues to be dry the fastest modified cars can again be expected to be in with a shout in the Superfinal with the Vauxhall's of the Coyne brothers, Ian O'Connell's Mini and Lloyd Spendlove with his Lotus the likely contenders. A dark horse in the modified classes could be European Rallycross Championship Division 2 contender Derek Tohill who will race his Euro spec Honda Civic. The usual full grid of 'Ten-Tenths.com' Stockhatch cars and the ever growing 'Jondol' Junior class will be backed up by the Rallycars to complete the line-up for what should be an excellent days racing.
Event details
Sunday February 15th
Motorsport Ireland National Rallycross Championship 08/09 Round 6
Mondello Park, Naas, County Kildare
Racing starts at 10.00
Adult admission €15, accompanied under 16s free.
TIMETABLE
09:15
Practice Commences
09:45
Practice Finishes
10:00
Heats Run 1
11:30
Heats Run 2
13:00
Lunch Break
13:30
Heats Run 3
15:00
Finals