Ring wins round five at Mondello
Saturday, 16 June 2001 22:09Pre-season title favourite Alan Ring, from Kerry, became the fourth different race winner this season when he won the fifth round of the Ford of Ireland Zetec Championship at Mondello Park. Starting from sixth on the grid, the Van Diemen driver won the encounter from teenager Charlie Donnelly and George McAlpin to move into third in the points standings.
Once again it was drama from the start. Qualifying on the front row of the grid, Michael Devaney stalled his Van Diemen on warm up lap due to flat battery and was forced to the back of the grid while up front pole man Alan Dwyer spun in front of the field after contact with George McAlpin in the dash to the first corner. Leading after lap one of eight, Ray Moore looked in control of proceedings until a challenge on lap three by the recovering Dwyer saw the two crash out at turn two, handing Ring the lead, a position he would retain to the flag.
The Ford of Ireland Zetec Championship returns to Mondello tomorrow for round 6 of 10, when Ring will attempt to close in further on Dwyer's lead at the top of the standings. Starting from pole, Dwyer will be again joined by Devaney on the front row.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
