What's the news?
After the success of the Fiesta Zetec Championship over the last number of years, another Fiesta-based series has been formulated for 2016. The championship is sponsored by Patch Tyre Equipment, and utilises the ST 150 version of the Mk6 Fiesta. The 2.0-litre, 150hp engines fitted to these machines promise a decent increase in pace over the Mk5 model, and the class offers a natural progression upwards for racers of the proven 1.25-litre Zetecs.
Like the Zetec series, rules and car specifications are tightly controlled, with the aim of ensuring close racing and keeping running costs manageable, so to that end the cars will race in near-standard trim outside of the mandatory safety additions.
The increase in speed compared to the existing series has had a highly positive effect on entries, with many drivers from the RT2000 and Irish Touring Car Championships electing to join competitors making the switch from the Zetec class. Names like Barry Barrable, John Denning and Mark Turley will be familiar to Mondello fans, and with almost 20 cars registered so far, close battles throughout the year look to be guaranteed. A ten-round calendar encompassing all race events at Mondello this year kicks off this Sunday April 17th, and the double-header race promises a good chance of a big points haul for those who can survive the heat. The little hot hatches will be exciting to watch, with plenty of lift-off oversteer and brave overtaking sure to thrill, so get down there on Sunday and check it out for yourself.
More information on the championship can be found on www.mondellopark.ie, or on Facebook.