David Kennedy returns with F5000 Mondello Park

Despite the foot-and-mouth threat, the Irish racing season began in May with races for the FORCE F5000 Transatlantic Challenge and Classic Grand Prix Cars at Mondello Park.

After investments by new circuit owner Martin Birrane, it was appropriate that his Lola T330 won the opening race. The superbly-prepared car, owned by the man who now owns Lola Cars, was driven by former single-seater ace David Kennedy.

In race two, expat Irishman Frank Lyons, having shadowed Kennedy in the first race, turned the tables to win in his ex-Tom Belso T330. Others to impress included James Denty’s rare Lotus 70, which led the first race before retiring, and F5000 newcomer Nick Crossley, who took his March 73A to third in both races. Best of the F1 cars were Malcolm Carter (March 711) and Aba Kogan (McLaren M23), but neither could match the Lolas’ pace. PL