Mondello Park trip
Hi, this week I'm posting about the trip to Mondello Park.
Mondello Park is in Caragh, Co. Kildare.
History.
The Mondello Park short circuit was designed on farmland near Naas in Co. Kildare by Stuart Cosgrave in 1966, following the demise of the Dunboyne motor races on traditional and dangerous roads in Co. Meath. The circuit opened in 1968, and was extended via the National Loop the following year. Well-known Irish drivers such as Derek Daly, David Kennedy, Tommy Byrne and Eddie Jordan cut their teeth on the circuit in the 1970s and early 1980s, going on to international fame, but financial difficulties emerged thereafter.
Mondello was purchased by the late businessman Martin Birrane with the Royal Irish Automobile Club in 1986, and Birrane bought the facility outright one year later once the scale of investment became clear. The circuit was extended to 3.5km with the opening of the international circuit in 1998. Subsequent upgrades included FIA certification and pit garages with hospitality and conferencing facilities above, along with a museum that features significant cars from international motorsport history including a Jordan 194 and Jordan EJ14, several Lola Cars examples reflecting Birrane's ownership of the marque, machinery that ten-times Le Mans driver Birrane raced in period, and other items of motorsport history. Notable Leinster Trophy winners at Mondello include thrice F1 world champion Ayrton Senna (then known as Ayrton da Silva) in 1982, F1 race winners John Watson, Mika Hakkinen and Takumo Sato; and Jordan Grand Prix founder Eddie Jordan during his driving career. Guest appearances and demonstration runs at Mondello include those by Jordan driver Damon Hill as guest of honour, World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz in his Toyota Corolla World Rallycar, and David Kennedy shaking down a Jordan Mugen-Honda 199 in 1999, broadcast on RTE during a season that marked Jordan's most successful campaign while Northern Irish driver Eddie Irvine challenged for the Formula One World Drivers' Championship, marking a high-point for Irish motorsport on the international stage. The 2000s marked the most high profile time for the Irish Circuit, as Domestic series from Great Britian came over to Mondello Park every year. These included the British Touring Car Championship which ran from 2001-2006, the British GT Championship from 2004-2006 and the British Superbike Championship which ran from 2003-2007 where Jonathan Rea took his first ever BSB win in the last ever race at the circuit. Mondello Park also hosted around of the FIA Sportscar Championship in 2001.
Mondello Park is now owned by Birrane's family following his death in 2018.
The Circuit.
It was established in 1968. Following investment and development in 1999/2000, the circuit was awarded FIA International status in 2001.
Situated on 110 acres the facility incorporates 3.5 km of race track, 24 race garages and 12 Hospitality Suites. It is host to National and International Race events, Motor Shows, Car & Bike Track days, Training Schools and Corporate Events.
The Circuit also has 3 km of extreme off-road driving trails and a 5-acre off-road activities centre and the Museum of Motorsport.
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