The HRCA held its first race meeting of the year on a coldish Saturday, the 6th April in Mondello Park. As usual for our first meeting of the year, and despite the best efforts of Conor to motivate the troops, we managed a meagre 7 cars on the grid, however the racing itself was good and there were some close fights throughout the field.
Gareth Thompson in his MG V8 thundered to wins in both races and was not going to be caught. Clive Brandon in his Lotus 47, now maintained by the Dunlop clan, took a strong second place in Race 1, but suffered a DNF in Race 2. Clive had tested on the Friday, but a broken gearbox pipe on Saturday morning meant he had to start from the back of the grid.
Conor Cooke in his rebuilt Midget took a strong third in Race 1, but had a very noisy gearbox failure exiting the esses in Race 2 – a small grub screw loosening in the gearbox resulted in both 2nd and third gears trying to work at the same time (see photo!)
Ed Cassidy (Tiger), Billy Patton (Midget), and Ciaran Geoghagan (Lotus Cortina) all had good runs and scraps in both races, though Ciaran succumbed to fuel starvation through the corners in Race 2. Ed’s results were a 4th and 3rd overall, Billy a 5th and 4th finish (his strongest result to date!). Steven Kelly could only manage a 7th in Race 1, but the second Race saw him take 2nd Overall.
The Pre-55’s attended the Carrick on Suir Hillclimb over the 6th/7th April week-end. Saturday saw the handicap results with Tony Canny ahead of Ken McAvoy (both in their Riley 12/4 TT’s). The Sunday saw Nick Bennett (Alvis Silver Eagle) take the honours, followed by Tony and Ken. All returned home safely. In Historics P J Gannon in his Mini was our sole representative, finishing in 3rd and 4th place on handicap.
