Mondello Park International - 18/19th Sept

Des Foley continued his impressive rookie season with a brace of podium finishes at Mondello Park last weekend. Having qualified on the front row, Des got the initial jump on the poleman but ultimately lost out on the run to turn 1, losing ground on the upshift from 2nd to 3rd gear.

He spent the opening laps chasing the leader before coming under pressure from behind, which blunted the challenge somewhat. Brendan O’Brien marked his return to the track qualifying 15th and made some good progress during the early stages of the race.

With the leader pulling away, Des was embroiled in a battle to hold onto his second place and, for the latter stages of the race, he and Colm Blackburn swapped the position back and forth, with Des ultimately prevailing and adding to his maiden podium from Bishopscourt earlier this year. Brendan continued to make progress throughout the race, fighting his way up to the fringes of the top ten and bringing his Global Service Centres Leastone home in 11th place.

Sunday’s race saw Des once again get the initial jump off the line but lost out again on the upshift to third. This time however, he could focus on harassing the leader as his mirrors weren’t quite as full as Saturday’s race. It was give and take for the entire race with Des all over the back of the leader but the tight confines of the Mondello circuit were making it tough to execute a pass.

While this was going on, Brendan was again pushing forward from his qualifying position until a spin at turn 3 prematurely ended his day. At the head of the field, Des continued to harry the lead car but ultimately the leader had him covered and Des followed him home to record the third podium of his rookie season.

The Formula Vee championship now looks towards the final round of the championship at Kirkistown on Oct 3rd.