Derek Cunneely became the fifth different winner this season in Ireland's premiere motor racing series when he won the seventh round of the Dunlop RT2000 Championship at Mondello Park last Sunday. Starting from the front row of the grid, the former Formula Opel Champion won the 12-lap encounter from championship leader Jonathan Fildes to record his first victory in the series which moves him into strong contention for the 2001 title.
A double header weekend Saturday's race, round six of the Dunlop backed championship, saw Jonathan Fildes take his second win in succession with a dominant performance over his rivals. Driving for KAF Racing it was a good weekend's work for the 25-year-old who picked up 27 valuable championship points to extend his lead over the series only other double race winner Brendan Donegan.
Race 1 saw Cunneely's Top Gifts sponsored car on pole with Brendan Donegan's Navan Hire example completing the front row. Side by side around the first corner the pair clashed at the second handing the lead to Rod McGovern. Lap 2 then saw Fildes, who quickly recovered from a slow start which left him 13th at the first corner, take the lead from McGovern who was also passed on the same lap by David Donegan. Pulling clear of the pack the order remained unchanged through to the flag, Fildes from Donegan and McGovern. Brendan Donegan and Cunneely eventually finished ninth and tenth respectively.
Sunday's race saw Robbie Bolger again show promise aboard his O'Brien Textiles/Wella car as he set the fastest time in qualifying to secure his maiden pole position start. The current Dunlop Stryker Champion, he was beaten off the line by Cunneely but looked on target to repeat his highest placing when on the final lap he spun at the penultimate corner while lying in a comfortable second. A costly error he lost nine places as Cunneely celebrated his first win from Fildes and Brendan Donegan.
For current Dunlop RT2000 champion John Whelan, who entered the meeting lying third in the standings, the weekend saw his hopes of retaining the title fade. Retirement from Sunday's race with gearbox problems and collecting only four points in race 1 have dropped the Christopher Huet Distribution backed driver four places in the championship.
With seven drivers still in the hunt to become the 2001 Dunlop RT2000 Champion, Round 8 of the championship will see the title fight resume on the short National track at Mondello Park in two weeks time.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
