Irish Formula Ford racing's rising star Charlie Donnelly faces the sternest challenge of his short career this weekend in the first ever rounds of the British Formula Ford Zetec championship at Mondello Park. The Naas student takes on the might of the Van Dieman and Mygale works teams and the world's best young drivers, with the UK Zetec races among the highlights of the support package for Mondello Park's 2002 British Touring Car Championship event.
Donnelly aims to make his mark in front of what should be the biggest Mondello crowd of the season. Donnelly finished his leaving certificate exams this week and has quickly swapped the classroom for the track as his focus turns from academic matters to the busy season ahead. Donnelly has only had one opportunity to race so far this season, at the Irish championship double header at Kirkistown in May. On that occasion he took two pole positions, a win, a second place and two fastest laps in his Des Donnelly Cars backed Van Dieman.
Having already won in the Irish series, this weekend is a good opportunity for Donnelly to gauge himself against the senior British series runners. Local knowledge will help the teenager but with plenty of testing time available to the series regulars Donnelly is under no illusions as to the strength of the opposition. An eighteen-car field of UK championship regulars will be joined by at least eight Irish runners and Charlie's aim is to be best of the Irish over the two championship rounds and to also challenge for a top six finish overall.
Following this weekend Donnelly, who was a finalist in the Irish Young Driver of the Year contest in 2001, will take in all of the remaining Irish championship rounds and will also contest any non-clashing Avon junior championship races. The next time that the youngster will challenge the senior championship drivers will be at the end of season Formula Ford World Finals at Brands Hatch in October. Donnelly hopes that following this weekend the teams and drivers will all be aware of his ability and come the festival he aims to use this season's experience to really add his name to the list of future stars in the Zetec category.
Filed by Shane Murray
