Posted April 1, 2025 by leonulty Motorsport

Patch Tyre Equipment Junior MINIs set to Star at ICCR Opener this weekend

Introduced three years ago by Mondello Park, the Junior MINI Challenge has gone from strength to strength, and this weekend at Mondello Park, 19 aspiring young racers, aged 14-17 will line up to do battle in their opening race of the season.

Local company Patch Tyre Equipment, a longtime supporter of Irish Motorsport, has once again come onboard as title sponsor and along with Mondello Park, offer the competitors various supports including subsidised entry fees and free test days during the season. With the 2024 Champion Joshua Henry graduating to the UK Ginetta Junior Series, the door is wide open for a new star to emerge, but the list of candidates is both long and impressive.

Leo Richardson’s immaculate POB Racing/Mount Merrion Cars machine was at the sharp end all of last season and, having taken a win at the final round, will be keen to continue the trend this weekend. He is joined on the grid this year by his brother Joe and both will no doubt have father Geoff and grandfather Ernie, both former racers, in attendance too! Jack Fildes is the fourth generation of a famous Irish motorsport dynasty and, unsurprisingly, has showed great pace since joining the class in 2023. His car is always immaculately prepared by his father Jonathan and with a eyecatching new livery, he will certainly be one to keep an eye on.

Jayden McBrearty has has a superb off season, taking victory in The Rallysport Association NI Winter Mini Cup and Junior Mini Cup. He went well last season and, buoyed by his recent titles, will surely challenge right at the front. He is backed by Donagh Kelly’s Stables Motorsport Centre and has received some coaching from Billy Coleman Award winner Eamonn Kelly, as well as Max Hart, and Alex Denning.

Jayden McBrearty and his Dad Declan at the Championship Media Day at Mondello Park last week.

Mondello Park once again ran their scholarship initiative for the class this year. After an Assessment Day at the circuit, where a group of hopefully were assessed on track, on a Simulator and in a Media Interview, and Travis Mawhinney was the driver who came out on top when the scores were added up. He receives the double title winning Mondello Park car, as well as all his entries and test fees for the year, a fantastic start to his motor racing career. Another to shine on the day was Nathan Sweeny. He finished a close runner up and happily, has purchased the title winning car of Joshua Henry. Both of these young stars are highly rated by the Mondello Instructors who judged the day and will surely both go well over the course of the season.

Local lady Leah McManus has had no shortage of seat time in her short career so far. Competing in Rallycross and the ICCR race class last year, she progressed in both. In early season testing, she was right on the pace and, if she can keep it up, could just surprise all the boys when the Patch Tyre Equipment MINIs take to the track.

Leah McManus, from Caragh, with her KCB backed Motorworx Junior MINI Challenge car at the championship Media Day last week.

Dundalk star Logan Hoey is also back for another go. Having just taken back to back Irish Rallycross titles, he too will be expecting to be setting the pace. He was in the mix last season and was very fast at the test on the recent Media Day in his FPS backed machine.

Another one to watch is Keith Burke. The Tillotson karting champion showed well on his initial car test but unfortunately was involved in an unfortunate testing accident second time out. His car is currently being rebuilt and it is a race against time to have it on the grid for this weekend. If he does make it though, one suspects the Truck and Trailer Works car won’t be there just to make up the numbers. Martin Finnegan progressed well in 2024 and he is back for another go this time round. Under the guidance of Peter Barrable, he is set to continue this progression and move towards the front. Both are determined, and Barrable doesn’t do things by halves.

Martin Finnegan with Brian Matthews of Patch Tyre Equipment at the Championship Media Day at Mondello Park.

One car we certainly won’t miss is that of Harry Dowling. It is definitely going to be one of the most eye catching liveries in the entire ICCR paddock and attracted plenty of attention at our recent media day!

Daniel Heapes is another new name to us in the Junior MINI Challenge and he will campaign the newly reliveried ex Reuben Kernohan race winning car as he makes his motor racing debut this weekend with backing from Hillside Autos Ltd.

There are two other drivers who have been working together over the winter and absolutely flying in pre season testing. TJ Taffe, who has and excellent karting pedigree and won the Mondello MINI Scholarship in 2024, and Kyle Irvine who ran at the front last year too. Both are keen to make an appearance on the top step of the podium and as the saying goes, the form is good!

The above are only some of the drivers of course. Also on the grid this Sunday are Daithi Kennedy, Harry Phayres, Dean Deasy, Ryan Donnelly, Mark Daly and Alex Watkins.