UK Legends - Mondello Race Reports
Saturday 9th May
Heat 1
The Legends series got their bumper two day race meeting at Mondello underway on a bright and breezy Saturday afternoon.
Heavy cloud lying over the Kildare circuit ensured changeable weather conditions throughout the morning session.
A bumper grid was bolstered by the visiting UK Legend series, an impressive line up of 14 top class drivers travelled over for the two day meeting at Mondello.
The Irish Legends Series which is in its inaugural year boasted five Irish drivers who lined up alongside their establish UK colleagues.
Torrential heavy rainfall in the morning made qualifying hazardous but clear summer sunshine dried out the track by the time the Legends lined up for the first heat of the day.
Niki Meredith, the driving force behind the Legends series in Ireland performed superbly in the morning warm up setting sixth fastest time, but with the grid being drawn out of a hat he lined up 13th, directly behind John Jon Higgins, on the grid of 19.
Steve Hill, the Legends series traveling COC in the UK outlined the benefits of their unique race communication system with drivers. It allows the race co-ordinator to talk to the entire field of drivers, relaying important messages mid race.
The “Raceceiver” now in its second year and has proved a massive success according to Hill.
The unit requires the driver to wear a small receiver with an earpiece, similar to an iPod which allows the driver to hear all the race commands coming from the race controller.
After seeing the Raceceiver in action, it remains to be seen whether the introduction of such a system for Mondello will be considered to improve race communication around the circuit.
John Jon Higgins, the UK championship leader made the journey across the water and added some star power to the meeting.
Iain Holden was alongside Richard Pocklington on the front row of the grid with Simon Belcher and Lee Fitzpatrick further back on second row
Ben Power and Paul Mansell completed the third row of the race grid.
The brightly coloured Legends in pristine condition with the unique styling and bodywork make the series a fascinating viewing spectacle for the spectator and its proving hugely popular in the UK.
Due to the nature of the car, a rolling start is required for the Legends with a pace car out front which pulls off.
Despite a few off track forays, all Legends made it safety out of the opening corner but the action was to develop down into turn three.
Sean Murphy, Mick Mercer and Phillip Kershaw were all involved in shunt as a number of Legends re-appeared displaying body damage after just a third of the opening lap gone.
A brief session in the pits was required for Stephen Treherne, with some rapid bodywork alterations required to remove some stray panels.
Lee Fitzpatrick set the early pace with Irish hopeful Niki Meredith up to fourth spot after just one lap.
Meredith put in some scintillating opening laps to edge into third place after two laps gone, snatching third from Simon Belcher with a daring dash into the final turn of lap two.
The racer from Blackrock driving on the International track for the first time called on all his experience to gain the crucial advantage over the UK visitors in the opening stages.
Paul Mansell got all out of shape on turn three and was lucky to avoid a nasty impact as he managed to keep his car out of major trouble and resume racing.
Saturday was a new departure for the Legends as they raced on the International circuit for the first time in five years.
Lee Fitzpatrick in the ink black Legend was allowed open up a significant early advantage as the battle for second place between Meredith and Pocklington developed behind him.
John Jon Higgins found himself back in seventh place after a first lap incident but soon got to grips with his new surroundings as he got used to the demands of the Mondello International circuit.
The field was well spread out by lap four as battles emerged throughout the field.
The clash between Meredith and Pocklington allowed Simon Belcher to close right up on the pair to make it a three way battle for second.
Paul Mansell was having an incident packed afternoon and he had a lengthy visit to the gravel on the final turn of lap five, the wide wheels on the car allowing him to gratefully drag his Legend out of danger.
Meredith bravely held onto second place by smallest of margins from Belcher, the bumper separating the racers as they crossed the line for the final time.
Lee Fitzpatrick led from start to finish, driving a flawless race as he managed to stay ahead of the frantic battle behind him.
UK Championship leader John Jon Higgins finished in fifth spot after some fantastic Legend racing.
Star Performance: Lee Fitzpatrick
Fastest Lap: John Jon Higgins 2:01.623
Final Classification
1. Lee Fitzpatrick
2. Niki Meredith
3. Simon Belcher
Heat 2
Heat two of this bumper weekend of racing brought all the thrills and drama associated with Legends racing.
The starting procedure for the legends race is unique, the pace car leads the field around for a warm up lap before peeling off and letting the field commence with a rolling start, which begins once the cars cross the start/finish line for the first time.
Visitors to Mondello who had no prior experience of the excitement of the Legend Series were treated to the unusual sight of the Legend car. Sitting low to the ground, it resembles a miniature American stock car and boasts a 1250cc engine underneath their kit car hoods.
The shells range from a 1934 Ford Coupe and 1937 Dodge Sedan to a 1934 Chevy.
In order to keep the racing full of incident and excitement, the grid for the second race of the day was reversed from the order of the first race.
18 legends lined up for the second heat of the day with just one Legend not making a re-appearance from the first race.
Lee Fitzpatrick had clinched the first heat of the day as part of this two day bumper Mondello weekend.
Lawrence Davey started on pole position with John Jon Higgins, the UK championship leader just behind him in second spot.
Stephen Treherne and Nick Brace lay further back on row two.
The grid placement and allocation procedure ensures an action packed race with plenty of overtaking manoeuvres and crowd pleasing episodes.
Yet again all Legends made their way safely through turn one before a giant coming together at turn three, Richard Pocklington came off worst and had to retire back to the pits, re-emerging after some hasty running repairs.
Niki Meredith again showed his flair for this type of racing as he set about slicing his way through the field and by the end of lap two, had forced his way up to fifth position.
The race ended abruptly for Phillip Kershaw and Paul O'Brien after a mere two laps with both seeking refuge back in the pits.
The highly impressive John Jon Higgins made the most of his good start and showed the crowds just why he is the current UK Legends Series leader.
By the start of lap four, Higgins held a whopping lead of 4.5 seconds from Stephen Treherne, his closest challenger in second. On his way to victory Higgins recorded the fastest lap of the race with a 2.01.304.
Treherne and Fitzpatrick were scrapping furiously for second spot, both keen to close the gap on the rampant leader Higgins.
Despite the close confines of the Legend cockpit, Gerard McCosh was ably assisted by a co-driver in the shape of a pink pig, who kept an eye on the rear bumper of the Legend. Despite global fears of swine influenza, the pig was cleared to race by Mondello officials.
As time ran out for his challengers, Higgins maintained a massive gap from the rest of the chasing pack, an unassailable 6.8 seconds and he was no doubt helped by the race for second spot, which involved four Legends.
An epic battle developed between Fitzpatrick, Treherne, Davey and Meredith in the clash for second spot.
In the end it was Fitzpatrick who narrowly held on for second spot, from Treherne in third and the Irish representative Niki Meredith in fourth.
Star Performance: John Jon Higgins
Fastest Lap: John Jon Higgins 2:01.304
Final Classification
1. John Jon Higgins
2. Lee Fitzpatrick
3. Stephen Treherne
Legends Final
The grid for the third and final Legend race of the day was again re-shuffled with Paul Mansell starting from pole with Lawrence Davey completing the first row of the grid.
Ben Power and Richard Pocklington were both hoping for a better performance as they were given the chance to shine, lining up on the second row.
The leading Irish driver amongst the visiting UK racers, Niki Meredith started back in the sixth row, alongside a race winner from earlier in the day and UK Championship leader, John Jon Higgins.
There was early drama when Phillip Kershaw and Sean Murphy both tried to grab the same piece of track and had a small shunt at the entrance to turn two but both kept going.
The impressive pairing of Niki Meredith and John Jon Higgins made a storming storm, Higgins making it all the way up to second spot from his starting position on the sixth row.
Meredith confirmed the Legends class certainly has a bright future in Ireland with his excellent performances over the three Legends races and can be extremely proud of his performance on day one.
The imperious Higgins completed his charge from the back to the front of the grid when he snatched first spot on lap two from Lawrence Davey.
Higgins showed the consistency required of all top class drivers when he yet again seized top spot and began to carve up a commanding lead of three seconds from Davey in second.
Spectators were gripped by the enthralling battle for second involving no less than four Legends, with Davey, Marshall, Fitzpatrick and Meredith all jousting for the position.
Meredith was not settling for fourth and made his move to third spot on lap three, edging out the unfortunate Ross Marshall.
There was high drama on lap four, when Lawrence Davy and Ross Marshall clashed coming down the main straight, Marshall coming off the worst, spinning 360 degrees before ending up on the grass, both cars luckily avoiding the pit wall and serious damage.
Paul Mansell also decided to check out the scenic vistas of Kildare, venturing cross country on the final turn of lap five, visiting the gravel before wrestling his car back on track.
The dream victory the home crowd and Niki Meredith were hoping ended on lap five. With Meredith pushing hard for second place, he attempted a dive down the inside of Fitzpatrick at turn 7A but his Legend's transfer box selected neutral and he overshot the corner slipping back, losing momentum but maintained third spot.
The UK star of the day, John Jon Higgins had worked up an unassailable lead as the race entered the closing stages, his 5.8 second lead proving too much for the pursuing Lee Fitzpatrick in second spot.
Higgins quickly developed a comprehensive knowledge of the Mondello circuit, and was lapping with ease by the end of the third Legend race of the day.
Star Performance: Niki Meredith
Fastest Lap: John Jon Higgins 2:00.766
Final Classification
1. John Jon Higgins
2. Lee Fitzpatrick
3. Niki Meredith
Sunday 10th May
Legends Heat 1
The Legends kicked off day two of the bumper meeting at Mondello with spectators keen to see the same level of high octane racing they were treated to on Saturday.
The grid for the first heat of the day is randomly drawn, with the grid then reversed for the second heat of the day.
17 Legends made the grid line up, with just two Legends missing due to exertions on the previous day.
Racing conditions could only be described as pristine, blistering summer sunshine basking the Mondello track, with clear blue skies overhead.
Richard Pocklington lined up on pole with Matthew Pape alongside him.
Lawrence Davey and Simon Belcher made up the second row of the grid with yesterday's Irish hero, Niki Meredith taking his place on row five.
Crowds milling around the paddock eagerly awaited the first race of the day from this exciting class. The Legends undoubtedly were the highlight of the first day of the meeting with spectator's eager get another glimpse of this unique class.
UK Championship leader, John Jon Higgins was unrelenting in his pursuit of victory; obviously keen to prove his outstanding performances of yesterday were no fluke as he set down an early statement of intent, grabbing the lead after just one lap of the Mondello International circuit.
Simon Belcher and Richard Pocklington made up second and third respectively.
Niki Meredith struggled to recapture his form from yesterday, not helped by a bad draw for the grid, he found himself treading water back in ninth position with four laps gone before eventually coming home in eight spot overall.
Higgins is clearly running in a class of his own, and after just four laps he had extended his early lead to 1.266 seconds.
Teammates Belcher and Treherne displayed no team orders were in operation as they fought manically to secure second place, going door to door down the main straight at the start of lap four.
The battle consuming Belcher and Stephen Treherne allowed Richard Pocklington to close right up on the pair, as he bided his time in the quest for second spot.
The race suffered one casualty, with Matthew Pape's Legend cutting a forlorn sight as it was carried back to the paddock, with its front left tyre drooping down from the bodywork.
As Higgins swung out of Dunlop for the final time, he had a clear track back to Belcher in second spot as took the chequered flag unchallenged to make it three wins from four racers at Mondello this weekend.
The key battle of the race involved the three Legends duelling for second place, with Simon Belcher edging out his team mate Stephen Treherne with Richard Pocklington making up the three.
Star Performance: John Jon Higgins
Fastest Lap: John Jon Higgins 2:00.307
Final Classification
1. John Jon Higgins
2. Simon Belcher
3. Stephen Treherne
Legends Heat 2
John Jon Higgins produced another performance of the highest quality to take his tally to four wins from five starts in the Legends series.
Stephen Treherne sat on pole with Paul Mansell on second and Ben Power in third
Niki Meredith was hopeful of a better performance following a disappointing heat one, but the grid reversal gave him every opportunity, catapulting him up to fourth on the grid.
The unstoppable force of John Jon Higgins lay ominously behind Meredith in fifth spot.
Higgins possesses the incredible talent of being able to find space in the smallest of areas. By turn one, he had leaped into second spot and began climbing all over the rear of Stephen Treherne.
Lee Fitzpatrick had a lucky escape in the middle of lap two when he veered wide onto the grass but the thick, forgiving tyres on the Legend allowed him to lurch back on track and keep Niki Meredith firmly rooted back in fourth spot.
Despite ceding the top spot to Higgins, Treherne managed to hold onto the rear bumper of the leading emerald green Legend.
The front three Legends were separated by less than 1.5 seconds when the safety car was deployed on lap three.
This safety car introduction, bunched the pack right back up together as they got back racing at the start of lap five.
Niki Meredith seemed to lose pace following the session under the safety car and he had to battle extremely hard to hold off Lawrence Davey who in turn was coming under unbearable pressure from Pocklington.
Meredith managed to hold onto to fourth spot and crossed the line with Davey stuck to his rear bumper. Meredith must be commended for his competent display of defensive driving.
Yet again, it was the peerless John Jon Higgins who took the chequered flag from Stephen Treherne who can be satisfied in keeping touch with the leader, who in turn was followed home by Lee Fitzpatrick in third.
Despite the outstanding display from John Jon Higgins, the consistent performances of Fitzpatrick certainly caught the eye.
Next best of the Irish was Phillip Kershaw who came home in eight spot.
Star Performance: Stephen Treherne
Fastest Lap: John Jon Higgins 1:59.053
Final Classifications
1. John Jon Higgins
2. Stephen Treherne
3. Lee Fitzpatrick
Legends Final
Matthew Pape started on pole with Paul Mansell alongside him for the final Legends race of the weekend.
Simon Belcher and Ben Power made up the second row, with Nick Brace and Ross Marshall further back on row three.
The leading Irish hopeful Niki Meredith started from row four. In the previous two heats Meredith was unable to re-capture his blistering form of yesterday.
The red hot favourite John Jon Higgins started from the outside of row eight with many spectators debating just how long it would be before the man from Chester would again dominate proceedings.
17 legends lined up for the final race of the marathon weekend meeting at Mondello.
The Legends powered by the1250cc Yamaha engines undoubtedly provided the best racing of the weekend, packed with excitement and competitive racing.
Despite suffering damage in previous race, Matthew Pape was able to take his place on pole position.
Meredith sensing a possible win in the last race of the weekend blitzed through the field, making up two positions on lap two, sliding by Lawrence Davey and Lee Fitzpatrick.
Pape made the most of a clean start, opening up a marginal lead from Meredith and the chasing pack.
Pape's rotten run of luck continued as he was forced to retire at Mazda corner on lap six, relegated to watching the conclusion of the race from the bank.
Meredith undid all his good work on lap three, when he ran wide and was shunted back down the grid, coming across to start lap four in sixth place.
John Jon Higgins used his strategy to bide his time, seizing first place at the start of lap four, picking off places with clinical ease before launching all out attack on the lead of Pape.
Following the form book of the weekend, the victory was clinched by the outstanding John Jon Higgins. Despite starting back on row eight, he claimed the win with 2.6 seconds back to Lee Fitzpatrick his nearest challenger in second.
The battle of the race was taking place further back the track, with a five way clash for fourth spot involving Davey, Meredith, Marshall, Pocklington and Belcher.
Meredith can be proud of his performance, nipping past Davey on the final lap of the race to take fourth position and cap off a fine weekend for the man from Blackrock.
Star Performance: Niki Meredith for his fight back
Fastest Lap: John Jon Higgins 1:59.952
Final Classification
1. John Jon Higgins
2. Lee Fitzpatrick
3. Stephen Treherne
Photo by: Chester
Report by: Gary Fox
i saw cameras der was it televised?
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