Donegans take one-two at Mondello

A dramatic finish to the second round of the Dunlop RT2000 Championship at Kirkistown on Saturday May 26th, saw Team Donegan take a one-two result with Navan's Brendan Donegan winning ahead of brother David. Starting from the front row of the grid Jonathon Fildes looked set for victory until his engine dramatically expired with just two corners remaining in the 16 lap encounter.

There was excitement from the start with Derek Cunneely, who started from pole, misjudging the lights, a mistake which saw him swallowed up by the field. The Racetec car emerged in tenth position as they crossed the line for the first time. Benefiting from Cunneely's error, Fildes made a clean start to lead the way and looked very much in control as he posted the fastest lap of the race.

However, the former Dunlop Driver of the Year was not to claim his first Dunlop RT2000 win as he limped to the flag to claim third behind the two Donegans. Behind the action up front, current champion John Whelan was working his way up through the field after qualifying a lowly tenth on the grid. Climbing to as high as fifth and attempting to pass the also recovering Cunneely for fourth he spun, allowing Rod McGovern through demoting himself to sixth.

Completing the top ten was Mark Turley who crossed the line next ahead of Des Cahill, Gordon Kellett and David Kid. Newcomer Jack Sleator, who was sent crashing into the tyre wall at the start of the opening round at Mondello Park, was the final finisher in eleventh. It was another disappointing day for Dunlop Stryker Champion Robbie Bolger in his O'Brien Textiles car as he again failed to make the finish, engine failure putting him out after seven laps. Pat Donegan was another retirement going out on lap ten as a result of contact with Gordon Kellett.

Round three of the Dunlop RT2000 Championship sees the teams return to the new look Mondello Park on June 16/17th when they will support the first ever visit to Ireland by the British Touring Car Championship.

Filed by Shane Murray