Fastest cars in Ireland back At Kirkistown
THE fastest cars in Ireland are making their second visit of the year to Kirkistown on Saturday.
This time they will be competing for the coveted Malcolm Templeton Trophy which is currently held by Hilltown driver and BOSS Ireland Champion, Tony Greenan. He has entered in a Dallara F317 Mercedes. Those trying to impede his progress include Martin Daly, from Dunshaughlin, in his World Series Dallara Renault, Portadown’s Noel Robinson, in a similar machine and Jonathan Fildes, another Dunshaughlin resident, this time in a Ralt RT4.
Another 10-car grid that should provide exciting racing is Formula Ford 1600. There are two races and the smart money has to be on Celbridge driver, Jason Smyth.However, Ballymena driver, David McCullough, has steadily raised his game all season, and another man trying to find just a tiny bit of extra speed is Dave Parks, from Ballina.
The Modi-5-Cup Mazdas should provide two tight races. Missing this time is Newry driver, Damian Moran, although Moira driver, Francie Allen, and Dundonald driver, Craig Ewing, should be battling for the honours.
The Kirkistown Fiestas and Kirkistown Mini Coopers will be sharing a grid. For the first time this season, Portadown father and son team, Michael and Derek Graham, will both be on the Fiesta grid. They will be strongly challenged by Strangford’s Megan Campbell, Banbridge driver, Neville Anderson, Newtownabbey driver, Conor Mulholland and Helensburgh driver, Stephen Walker.
In the Mini Coopers, Peter Bennett, from Tandragee is the man to beat. Those trying to do that include Craig Gilmore, from Ballyhalbert, and his brother Darren, from Lisnaskea.
The Junior Mini class at Mondello has mushroomed this year and they are making their way to Kirkistown for this meeting. It is hard to suggest a winner but Bobbyjoe McFall, from Bushmills, knows the circuit well.
Formula Sheane is also making the trip North. Dublin’s Keith Hogg will be renewing his rivalry with Richard Kearney, from Nurney; Enda O’Connor, from Wicklow is quick and Charlie Linnane, from Kilmacanogue, is making an appearance.
The Saloons will be combined with Roadsports. In the Saloons, Gavin Stanfield, from Cabra, and Peter Baxter, from Lurgan, will be renewing their rivalry.
The Roadsports class will be very interesting. On paper, Newtownabbey’s Jim Larkham should be the favourite in his Radical PR6, however, Mike Ward, from Youghal, in a similar machine is getting quicker every time out and his car seems to be very reliable.
The Superkarts are back. The 250cc class will be the second fastest machines at the circuit, only out-performed by the BOSS cars. Most of the quick drivers are entered, including Liam Fox, from Moira, Brian Jones, from Craigavon, Alan Crossen, from Comber, Scott Greenaway, from Armagh, Geoffrey Simms, also from Armagh, Eoin Ryan, from Cashel, the evergreen Colin Menary, from Bangor, Philip Mills, from Dollingstown, and the even more evergreen Noel Lindsay, from Royal Hillsborough.
Qualifying begins at 9:00am.
