Posted September 17, 2024 by leonulty News

Like Father Like Son- Fildes’ to the Fore at Leinster Trophy Meeting

I’ve said it many times before. If you want excitement in a race, simply add Jonathan Fildes. I always know my job in commentary is going to be easy, and enjoyable, when JF is on the grid. His speed is undoubted, a number of title wins is testament to that, but the general theory is that you become calmer as you get older and the level of commitment eases slightly. As regular attendees to Mondello Park, or viewers of the livestream will be well aware, Jonathan Fildes never got that memo!

In recent times, the former Clio Cup GB Champion has turned his attention to the BOSS Ireland class. Campaigning a fearsome Lola T96. with plenty of power but precious little in terms of downforce, he was a joy to behold as he battled the F3 cars who had the exact opposite attributes. He did manage a few wins in the car but sold it in order to buy back his late father Ken’s Ralt RT4. He also curtailed his racing escapades in order to concentrate on running his son Jack in the Patch Tyre Equipment Junior MINI Challenge. Having had the Ralt reliveried in his Dad’s iconic Martini livery, Jonathan planned to compete in a few BOSS Ireland races. Those who know him though, will be aware that, with the best of intentions, his plans do not always come to fruition!

Happily though, last weekend they did just that. Having loaned the RT4 to his buddy Bob Copeland (who had a great run in Kirkistown) recently, he was back in the hot seat once again and BOSS Ireland fans knew they wouldn’t be short of entertainment! Tony Greenan is very much on form at the moment and it was no surprised that he stuck his immaculate Dallara-Mercedes F3 car on pole. Equally as impressive though, was the performance of Fildes, who joined him on the front row, outqualifying two F3 cars and two Dallara World Series in his 40 year old Ralt. When the red lights went out, it was the Ralt and not the Dallara which led the pack down to the newly renamed Castrol Corner, and we knew we were in for a treat. Jonathan knew he had enough power and straightline speed to match the F3 car but not the mid corner speed. He tried to place the car mid corner through the fast ones to stop Greenan getting a run, giving us a great battle at the front. Greenan though was also aware of the strengths of each car and snatched the lead with a beautiifully timed run through Lola, making it stick in 7A before starting to ease away, with the aim of chasing the BOSS lap record on the International layout.

Typically, Jonathan then got bored and eased off for a while to see if he could have a battle with someone. He sure could, as the equally committed Martin Daly had fought his way up to third and was starting to fly in his Dallara World Series car. The pair went at it and it was great to watch. When Jonathan fired the Ralt down the inside on the final corner, you’d have thought that was it. Daly though, was on the ball. He didn’t defend too hard, concentrating instead on a good exit, which the then used to blast up alongside Fildes, just getting the nod as they crossed the line. The smiles on the podium said it all afterwards- good fun had by all. In race two, Greenan didn’t appear and Fildes, starting at the back, was on a mission. He was soon through to the front and somehow managed to dip into the 1:39 bracket on his way to what must have been an emotional win for the Fildes family.

Jonathan and Jack in the Kirkistown pitlane

It wasn’t over there though. Step forward Jack Fildes 2.0- the fourth racing generation of the famous family. The Patch Tyre Equipment Junior MINI Challenge has really taken off this year and unsurprisingly has attracted some serious talent to its grids. Now in his second year of the series, Jack is a regular frontrunner and was one of a few who were expected to feature at the front on this important weekend. His weekend started well as he took a close fought pole position in a soaking wet qualifying session. Race one was for the beautiful Ann Stevens trophy and after a fantastic scrap, it was the immaculate JMG Commercials/Magic Bullet car of Fildes Jnr first across the line.

A great capture from Cregor Elliott of the three way battle for the Junior MINI win in Race two. Zoom in and you can see Jack has an eye on the rear view mirror to see what his opponents are at!

In front of the Beacon Hospital live stream cameras, he managed to do it again in race two to make the perfect weekend. It wasn’t easy though and Leo Richardson and Joshua Henry were right in the mix too and the lead changed hands on a number of occasions, making highly entertaining viewing!