This Saturday 25th August sees a seventeen race programme presented by the Five Hundred Motor Racing Club of Ireland Ltd.
Stars of the show will be two Formula 5000 single seater racing cars. These were the type of cars that took on and sometimes beat their more famous contemporary cousins in Formula 1, back in the seventies. Swiss drivers Gislain Genecand and Alain Girardet will be racing in the BOSS Ireland race (Big Open Single Seaters). Genecand will be driving a 5.0l Surtees TS5A and Girardet will be driving a 5.0l McLaren M10B. Both cars are powered by Chevy V8 engines.
The Dawson-WAM N.I. FF1600 Championship races are well subscribed. Any one of five drivers could be expected to win and a host of others might! The three drivers at the sharp end of the Championship are Matt Round-Garrido, from Birmingham, David McCullough, from Ballymena and The Randalstown Rocket, Alan Davidson. However, although he missed the early rounds, Portadown’s Noel Robinson has been on winning form and will be in the middle of the Big Three. Lisburn’s Will Heron has been knocking on the door all season and is likely to burst through very soon. Saturday could be his day.
Dromara’s Mike Johnston will be renewing his season long battle with Newtownabbey’s Jim Larkham in the Roadsports. Paul Conn, from Lisburn and Maurice McClay, from Greenisland will be keeping them honest.
The Formula Vees are visiting and these drivers always put on a good show.
The Fiesta championship is tight at the top. At the time of writing, Championship leader, Mark Stewart, from Belfast, has not entered but that may change. Second placed Eórann O’Neill, from Nutt’s Corner is entered, as is Paul Stewart, from Belfast and Ricky Hull, from Newtownards. These three have all won races this year already.
Se Og Martin, from Dunloy, has been doing the recent winning in Ginetta Juniors. The field is small but the racing is usually good.
The Legends are making a return visit. These 5/8th replica 1950s American Stock cars, with 1000cc motorbike engines, always put on good races. Dundrod’s Ivor Greenwood is defending local pride but there will be at least eight others trying to beat him.
The Saloons have an eclectic field. Due to a clerical error, this is not a championship meeting and as such, the field is reduced. However, Shane Murphy is making the trip from Cork in his 2.0L turbo Seat Leon. Stephen Potter from Newtownards will be at the sharp end in his Honda Integra, as should be Stephen Traub, from Belfast in his similar car.
Practice will commence at 9:30am and the first race should be around 11:30am.
Alain Girardet’s beautiful McLaren M10B
The Surtees TS5A, which was raced in period by David Hobbs, is being driven at Kirkistown by owner, Gillian Genecand.
Alan Davidson leads Matt Round-Garrido towards Maguire’s Hairpin.
Noel Robinson leads Alan Davidson out of Maguire’s Hairpin
Matt Round-Garrido (L) and Will Heron get up close and personal in the rain.
David McCullough leads Alan Davidson through Maguire’s Hairpin.
Eórann O’Neill gets some air at the Crosslé Chicane.
Paul Stewart will be at the front of the Fiesta race.
Mike Johnston (11) and Jim Larkham will be renewing their rivalry.
The Legends always put on a great show.