Posted September 4, 2024 by leonulty Motorsport

Siltex Safety Zetec Title Battle closes up ahead of Leinster Trophy ICCR meeting.

The budget tin top Fiesta Zetec series is known for close, entertaining racing. Introduced just over 10 years ago, it made motor racing possible for many novices who perhaps previously would not have aspired to joining the grids. In recent years, with a strong technical team involved and extra promotion and support on race days, the class remains the strongest in the ICCR paddock.

On a number of occasions in recent years, almost 20 cars qualified within a second of each other which, of course, meant the racing was incredibly close. With teams running cars in the series in recent times, and some highly experienced and talented drivers competing, it was decided to introduce a Rookie Cup, for drivers in their first two years of motor racing. This has been a huge success and, as well as producing more great racing, it has produced some extremely fast drivers, who progressed to challenge for outright victories in subsequent seasons.

2024 has been no exception to any of the above and with just four rounds left to run, it couldn’t be closer at the top. Sean McGovern heads the standings, but is level on points with 2019 champion William Kellett. As a reflection of how competitive is, McGovern has taken two wins in the eight rounds of the series so far, whereas Kellett, although showing great pace, has not taken a win just yet. He has taken second place five times though, and his family team Kellett Motorsport are no strangers to winning titles.

Dave Maguire Junior (below) had a tough start to the season with a penalty at the opening ICCR weekend dropping him well back. His LOH car has fought back since though and, having won the last three races in a row, is now up to third in the title chase and is only two points off the lead! The only others to take win in 2024 are 2023 Rookie Champion Jason O’Connell and the incredibly experienced Peter Barrable. O’Connell is always in the mix and he took fine win at the June ICCR meeting, whilst Barrable took the opening round, but had to skip the following meeting due to UK racing commitments. Upon his return, his Aiport Driving School car has had a slight misfire which has proved extremely difficult to trace. If Peter, and the POB Motorsport Team manage to trace it, don’t be surprised to see the Swords driver back on the top step of the Mondello Podium.

Next up are two drivers who could also spring a surprise before the season ends, Andy Kavanagh and Mick Kehoe. Kavanagh is hugely experienced, with a background in Formula Vee and Formula Sheane, before joining the tin top ranks a number of years ago. He has showed race winning pace before and doubtless would love a podium return before the end of the season. Kehoe had made great improvements in 2024 and is now a regular frontrunner, two top six race one finishes having put him at the front for race two.

Luck has not been on his side on those days but don’t be surprised if his immaculate Donegan Auto Services car is right at the front before the season ends. Alan Dawson was in the title mix last year but having missed a few rounds this time round, he lies in eighth. Kelsey Kirby is another Rookie graduate and she has also progressed superbly in the last two seasons. Despite missing the last two rounds in Anglesey due to budget restraints, she remains inside the top ten in ninth. Former Junior Rallycross Champion Toby Maguire is tenth overall and leads the Rookie Cup too!

As ever, the Rookie Cup is close and competitive this season. With three wins, Toby Maguire leads with four rounds to go. Mark Daly’s immaculate Martini replica liveried car is second, with Adam O’Mahony in third, having stood on the podium three times thus far. Sam Doyle is as fast as any of them and has won three times so far, but an exclusion at the second meeting has pushed him down to fourth in the standings. Jordan Flanagan has missed a few rounds but he is fifth, just ahead of Liv Corcoran.

A double win on a one off appearance in the Mondello Park team building car means former bike racer Marc Mulhern is seventh, just ahead of Alex McCann. Delta Airlines pilot Aidan Mulready was a late addition to the series but, commuting from the USA to race, showed immediate pace and is definitely one to watch for the remainder of the season.