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Mondello Park

01/09/2001

Round 7

Preview

Giovanni Lavaggi and the second Swara entry have dropped out since the original entry was released, so we're currently looking at 14 cars for the Irish event, seven in each class. 14 is probably one less than are likely to form up at Vallelunga a day later. 14 + 15 = 29.

Lavaggi has had a disappointing mid-season, so with any hope of a series title gone, he's opted to fade into the background and leave the Irish stage to the serious boys. Marco Zadra could seal the title this Saturday evening, although he'll be handicapped by slightly less Ferrari power. Hence more determination? Christian Pescatori is back, so the 333SP is likely to be on the limit early on and impeccably reliable.

The Ascari pair will be hoping that Zadra has some bad luck, or that they can at least finish ahead of the #1 BMS car. "I'm sure the title will go right down to the wire as it is so competitive in this championship," reckons Werner Lupberger. Logic would suggest that a Judd in another chassis will take 15 points in Ireland, with the Nielsen and Lammers Domes joint favourites - about 3-1 against? The Ascari should therefore be marked down at about 5-1, the #1 Ferrari at about sixes, with the Kremer Lola and the R&S longest at tens. That probably means an improbable R&M win is on the cards. It's about time their luck turned.

Bjork and Oberto or Carway and O'Connell? Either combination would make deserving champions. Ten points separates them, with 45 available. The next 11 drivers in the points are French and Italian, and make up the core of the class, but none have put together a season long challenge.

Damien Faulkner adds a fresh Irish element in the Kremer Lola ("I can't wait to feel what 650bhp will be like around Mondello" - is he winding up Marco Zadra?), while six of the cars will run through Dublin on Thursday, enticing potential Irish racegoers to get out there and watch the cars race round the tight track on Saturday.

An appetiser before a thrilling end to the season, or a late addition that will settle the title before Nurburgring and Kyalami? John Mangoletsi will be hoping it is the former.