Photo: Celtic Photography
Mondello Park will roll back the years on August 18th & 19th as the circuit celebrates it’s 50 year anniversary at the Historic Racing Festival. Speaking at the official launch Mondello Park General Manager said “We will be offering visitors a taste of yesteryear as we celebrate the circuit’s rich history, featuring the finest in Classic Motorcycle and Car Racing, including visiting classes from the UK, as well as hosting a classic aviation display, both in the air and on the ground.”
The event will feature on-track and off-track entertainment with a Vintage Aircraft display, as well as a lunch time fly-over by some historically important Irish planes, gin and whiskey bar supplied by Glendalough Distillery, Live Jazz band, and revellers are actively encouraged to come along in their finest 60’s and 70’s outfits to match our 50th anniversary.
The car racing action will be headlined by the visit of the Derek Bell Trophy from the UK. This class features classic Formula 2, Formula Atlantic and Formula 5000 cars which must be heard in the flesh to be appreciated. Another highlight will be the return of MINI racing at the Kildare Circuit to mark the first ever winner of a race at Mondello Park, John Keaney in his MINI Cooper S.
The Motorcycle Race programme will be headlined by two rounds of the ‘Classic Bike Racing Ireland’ championship with a full grid of thirty classic machines. Running alongside the older Classics will be a pair of races for the more modern ‘Classic Superbike Championship’ machinery. Other four wheeled entertainment will be courtesy of the Historic Racing Car Association, whose ‘HRCA Historics’ Championship, for 60’s and 70’s Saloons and Sportscars, will be joined by races for the more elderly Pre ’55 series.
Photo: Celtic Photography
Alongside the track activities, displays of Classic Cars, Motorcycles and even Classic Planes, will provide visitors with the chance to get up close and personal with some of Ireland’s most beautiful and historic vehicles. The Mondello Park Museum of Motorsport will be open to visitors, allowing free access to this unique collection of rare machinery.The Museum collection encompasses historic vehicles from Saloon and Sportscar racing as well as a collection of Formula One cars, including an example of a Benetton B186, the car which gave the team their first Grand Prix victory in Mexico in 1986.
While standard admission to Sunday’s event is €15.00 for adults with under sixteen’s admitted free of charge, tickets are also available to purchase on-line at discounted prices, via the Mondello Park website, www.mondellopark.ie, where all of the event information including the timetable can be found.