 |
Denning and Leonard to resume title battle on Welsh soil
2003-06-24 - By Philip Byrne
This Saturday, 21st June, the Fiat Punto Abarth Cup races outside of Ireland for the first time when the 170Bhp 'Pocket Rockets' travel to the Pembrey circuit in Wales for Rounds 7 & 8 of the ultra competitive series.
 The championship's only event outside of Ireland, the main attention in Pembrey will focus firmly on the battle between championship leader Liam Denning (Rathfarnham) and second placed Karl Leonard (Naas). Separated by just 11 points, the pair have dominated the series taking three race wins each in the opening six rounds.
While they may be the only drivers to have occupied the top spot on the podium so far this season, Denning and Leonard have faced plenty of tough opposition.
Quentin Smith (Rathfarnham) has been one of the championships quickest drivers claiming pole position for the opening three rounds. Now third in the standings having finished second last time out, the AMF Motorsport driver will be more determined than ever to collect as many of the 33 points on offer this weekend as possible.
Fourth in the standings, Joey Freeburn (Armagh) is another who could break the winning run of Denning and Leonard. A double race winner last season, the Northern Ireland driver has come close on two occassions to his third win in the series. Bob Copeland (Drumree) and teammate Gordon Kellett (Castleknock) are two others capable of success around the 1.456-mile long Welsh circuit.
Some interesting additions to the grid at Pembrey are Eric Holstein (Carbury), Ronnie Griffin (Blessington) and Jeff Culkin (Berkshire, England). Highly rated Holstein replaces current champion Richie Faulkner at Murray Motorsport and the international showjumper could provide plenty of surprises on his Abarth debut.
For Fiat Punto Abarth Cup team owner Ronnie Griffin the event will see him swap his normal role as team manager for team driver. An experienced competitor, Ronnie will debut the new Glebe designed dog engagement close ratio gearbox which has been fitted to the Blaupunkt 'Guest' car for testing purposes.
Jeff Culkin, the man responsible for the introduction of the Fiat Punto Abarth Cup during his time as Marketing Director at Fiat Auto Ireland, makes a welcomed return in a one off drive with the Samsport team. A regular historic MG racer, Jeff took part in the series' inaugural race at Mondello Park last year and is looking forward to his second outing in one of the 1800cc machines.
Two 14 lap encounters await the teams and drivers with the result of Race 1 determining the starting order for Race 2.
Fiat Punto Abarth Cup Standings after Round 6 of 13
1. Liam Denning (Rathfarnham) - Steve Griffin Motorsport - 72
2. Karl Leonard (Naas) - Murray Motorsport - 61
3. Quentin Smith (Rathfarnham) - AMF Motorsport - 53
4. Joey Freeburn (Armagh) - Steve Griffin Motorsport - 40
5. Bob Copeland (Drumree) - Murray Motorsport 39
6. Gordon Kellett (Castleknock) - Murray Motorsport 37
7. Bill Griffin (Clondalkin) - Steve Griffin Motorsport - 30
8. Brian Hade (Rathfarnham) - Steve Griffin Motorsport - 24
9. Clive Pratt (Carlow) - Pratt Motorsport - 11
10.Barry Rabbitt (Dunsaughlin) - Point 5 Motorsport - 11
|
|
|
Send to a friend
// -->