Holstein Eases Towards ST Title at Mondello “Fiestaval”
The 2019 Dennings Cars Fiesta ST Championship returned to Mondello Park last weekend for more hectic saloon car action.
Alex Denning snatched pole position for the opening race ahead of perennial rival Erik Holstein but a gearbox failure on the warm up lap meant he wasn’t to take the start. This meant series leader Holstein had a relatively easy run to victory, once he had shaken off the early attentions of Michael Cullen.
The Murray Motorsport crew had Denning’s car fixed and on the grid for race two, but the karting star had to start right at the back. Holstein, meanwhile started sixth, courtesy of the reversed top six from the results of race one. Brendan Fitzgerald led away with Barry John McHenry and Ross Barnes in close attendance, with Holstein charging towards the front immediately. Denning meanwhile, passed a number of cars before finding Mondello specialist Gordon Kellett a far more difficult prospect.Up front, Holstein displaced Barnes and Maguire and challenged Fitzgerald on a number of occasions with no immediate success..
Denning’s eventual lunge down the inside of Kellett into turn one went wrong and the resultant incident between Denning and David Kidd meant the red flags flew. With over two thirds of the race gone, a result was declared with a delighted Fitzgerald taking his first win of 2019. Holstein lost out though, as the results went back a lap, giving Maguire second and the series leader third.
The ST cars also took part in a non championship fun “Team Race”, where each car teamed up with a Zetec Fiesta to raise funds for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. Typically, Holstein charged through from the back to cross the line first, but his team mate Sean Woods retired mid race, meaning Brian Flanagan and Barry-John McHenry took the honours. The race was one of a number of fund raising initiatives held over the weekend, with almost €10,000 raised for the charity.
Rounds 9 and 10 of the Dennings Cars Fiesta ST Championship take place at Mondello Park on September 13/14, when the championship will be decided.
Leo Nulty, Fiesta ST Championship Manager. “Race one was lining up to be a cracker. The Denning/Holstein battles this year have been some of the best we have seen. Erik can seal the title with a result in race one at the Leinster Trophy meeting in September, but it’s not over just yet!”
Images from Michael Chester
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