Motorsport Ireland weekend preview – McMullan and Byrne to go for gold at Silverstone

Motorsport Ireland drivers Jonny McMullan and Jake Byrne will be looking to build upon recent successful outings at Mondello Park as the pair head across the Irish Sea to tackle rounds 11 and 12 of the British National Formula Ford Championship at the famous Silverstone circuit. McMullan, the current holder of the Dunlop Sexton Young Racing Driver of the Year Award Trophy, leads the British championship by an impressive 39 point margin after a string of strong results and with just 6 rounds remaining, McMullan will be keen to try and maintain his points lead. Belfast driver McMullan will also be buoyed by his recent Vivion Daly Trophy win at Mondello Park where he narrowly edged out Dubliner, Jake Byrne. 21 year old Byrne, who wrapped up the 2015 NI Formula Ford Championship last weekend is a nominee for this year’s Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year Award and is also preparing for Silverstone. Byrne has made a brace of appearances in the British series this season with his last outing being at Oulton Park back in May but he can take confidence from taking a fastest lap on the opening round of the series in April, which was also held at Silverstone. The Formula Ford category remains one of the best proving grounds for young racing talent with tightly controlled regulations meaning old chassis remain competitive with the latest designs while the tuning permitted to the Ford Kent 1600cc engines is restricted, putting the emphasis on driving ability rather than budget.

On Friday and Saturday, Northern Ireland Motor Club will host round 6 of the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Championship. Championship leader Donagh Kelly will be looking to secure his second championship in as many months having wrapped up the Triton Showers National Rally Championship in Sligo a few weeks ago. Kelly will face stiff competition however from local ace Garry Jennings as well as Sam and Josh Moffett who will return to the series this weekend in their Ford Fiesta World Rally Cars. Other top seeds included Derek McGarrity and former Motorsport Ireland Young Rally Driver of the Year, Stephen Wright.Elsewhere, the Motor Enthusiasts Club are running their hillclimb in Naul, Co. Meath this Saturday and Sunday. Action will get underway at 11am on both days. Athboy Karting Centre in Co. Meath will be the venue for the seventh round of the Motorsport Ireland Karting Championship. Racing will start at 11am on Sunday while Carbery Plastics in Clonakilty will be the venue for Skibbereen and District Car Club’s autotest. The autotesting will commence from 2.30pm on Saturday and 11am on Sunday. For more information on this weekend’s motorsport action, visit www.motorsportireland.com