The Infinite Energy Irish Championship Circuit Racing (ICCR) had another successful season at Mondello Park in 2024. To celebrate this, some of the top classes from the series gathered at the official Awards Night at Lawlor’s Hotel in Naas recently.
Competitors, teams and families from the Patch Tyre Equipment Junior MINI Challenge, the Siltex Safety Fiesta Zetec Championship, the Alloy Repair Centre Fiesta ST Championship and the SEAT Supercup Ireland all attended the event. Mondello Park Commentator Leo Nulty performed as MC and conducted interviews with all of the class sponsors and championship winners.
First to receive their awards were the Siltex Safety Fiesta Zetec competitors. This budget class is an excellent way to get into Motorsport and has been the biggest class in the ICCR paddock for the last number of years. Siltex MD Neil Murphy was on hand to present the trophies, as he is at every race meeting and first up were the Rookie Cup competitors. Traditionally, this class of the Zetec Series, open to competitors in their first two seasons of racing, is ultra competitive, and 2024 was no exception. Junior Rallycross Champion Toby McGuire made it back to back race and Rallycross titles by taking the honours.
In the main championship, which was probably the most competitive series in the ICCR paddock in 2024, it was only decided at the very last round, with William Kellett taking the win, and the title, despite incredible pressure from Sean McGovern with Dave Maguire, as ever, right in there too.
Next up were the Alloy Repair Centre Fiesta STs and not only was sponsor Owen Cullen in attendance, but he had brought his immaculate and newly liveried Fiesta ST to display in the ballroom. With grids creeping upwards, there were some great battles in STs in 2024 and the title battle looked like a straight fight between reigning (and multiple) champion Michael Cullen, and Ross Barnes, who, having switched to the former title winning machine of Graham Barnes, was flying all year. Victor Cullen was close enough to take advantage if it all went wrong but ultimately, he took third. Barnes had it all in hand at the final race weekend and managed to take his first circuit racing title in his immaculate Barnes Autohouse machine.
There were plenty of Patch Junior Equipment Junior MINI Challenge drivers in attendance, along with teams and families and the Mondello Park Scholarship car, resplendent in a new wrap from Precision Tint and Graphics, was on display in the room too. The Championship continues to grow and 2024 was easily the strongest, and most competitive season yet for the young drivers.
Donegal’s Joshua Henry entered his first circuit racing championship having already won the RSA Junior MINI Championship and , unsurprisingly, was immediately on the pace. It’s not just as simple as that though, as the Junior series is absolutely brimming with talent and the likes of Logan Hoey and Leo Richardson were never going to make it easy at the front. To add to the excitement, a few others, once they got mileage under their belts, began to close the gap towards the pacesetters. Jayden McBrearty was right there towards the end of the season, as was top karter TJ Taffe, who was driving the Mondello Park scholarship car. Holly Dunnion, having starred in 2023, was back for more and further enhanced her reputation as the last of the late brakers, always being up for on on track battle. Fourth generation racer (have a think about that!) Jack Fildes was always in the mix too, his Gulf lookalike liveried car always immaculate and well driven.
Joshua had a wonderful season and, with the backing of Donagh Kelly’s Stables Motorsport Centre, is apparently looking across the water for the next step in his motorsport career.
Siltex Safety Zetec racers Mick McArdle, Kelsey Kirby and Mick Keogh were marked put as ones to watch in 2025 and received their “One to Watch” Awards from Neil Murphy.
The SEAT Supercup Ireland competitors were also in attendance and Dave Maguire Sr was crowned champion after a very close season. Dave adds this to an incredible three Fiesta ST titles!
There were also two very important memorial trophies presented on the night, the winner of the Zetec series once again receiving the Sean Woods Memorial Trophy and the winner of the ST series receiving the Barry Barrable Memorial Trophy from Niamh Crilly.
Images from Marc Quinlivan Photography.
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