Irish Hockey Star Nicci Daly to Race at Mondello Historic Festival

Fresh from her incredible performance at the Hockey World Cup, Nicci Daly will race at Mondello Park next weekend to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society.
Nicci is the daughter of one of Ireland’s most successful national racing drivers, Vivion Daly and niece of ex F1 and Indycar driver Derek Daly- so motor racing is very much in her blood. Sadly, Vivion sucumbed to cancer back in 2002 and Nicci now returns to the arena he practically made his own to take the wheel herself.
Along with her friend Emma Dempsey, also the daughter of a successful driver and team owner, Cliff Dempsey, Nicci has set up Formula Female, with the intention of attracting more women to the sport, but also to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society. They will both drive an ex Mondello Park racing School Rover 25 GTI in the MicksGarage Future Classics class at the Mondello Park Historic next weekend (August 18/19)
Most of Nicci’s #GreenArmy Irish Hockey teammates, now almost household names since coming home from the World Cup with silver medals, will also attend the race meeting to show their support.
Nicci Daly: “Next weekend I look forward to honoring my dad Vivion Daly and the legacy he left behind at Mondello Park as we celebrate their 50 year anniversary. We hope through our Formula Female brand to not only break boundaries as two females competing against a male dominated grid but also encourage more females into the sport- and most importantly to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society. We look forward to the turnout to celebrate the last 50 years, the life of (circuit owner) Martin Birrane and the legacy of Vivion Daly.”

Mondello Park opened, as Ireland’s first permanant racing circuit, in May 1968. Today it remains as the only International Racing Circuit in the country, and has been extended and developed far beyond the original .8 mile layout.
Much of this is due to the leadership of Martin Birrane, who bought the circuit in 1985 and invested heavily over the years. Sadly Biranne passed away recently and this weekend’s Festival will now celebrate his life as well as the 50th Anniversary of the Circuit.
Tommy Byrne, star of the Crashed and Burned film, will return to Mondello Park as part of the celebrations and the ex F1 driver will return to F1 power as he drives the ex James Hunt Hesketh F1 car in the Derek Bell Trophy Race for visiting UK Formula 5000, F2 and Formula Atlantic cars. There will be a display of Historic Aircraft, many of which will take to the air and perform a fly over at lunchtime on Sunday.
There will also be many other attractions including live music and a gin bar and spectators arriving by classic car or bike can avail of free admission. Similarly, those wearing period 1960s or 1970s attire will not be charged admission, with the organisers hoping to create a party atmosphere over both days at the Kildare venue.