Irish Formula Libre 2009

[Graz]

The 2008 thread was pretty succesful but we may as well look towards next year. There were a few regulars missing in 2008 but hopefully we will see these guys back in '09 along with some new machinery joining the fray. Dan Daly is installing an Indycar Ilmor Chevy V8 by all accounts - I guess to be able to compete with the F1 mounted hillclimb cars now entering the class against whom he has been giving away 300+ horsepower, in particular the gorgeous and beautifully prepared Gould of Sylvie Mullins.

But I am just a mere fan with no inside knowledge...let's hear all the news and goss from you insiders.

Over to you all!!

[stealth1]

Originally Posted by Graz

The 2008 thread was pretty succesful but we may as well look towards next year. There were a few regulars missing in 2008 but hopefully we will see these guys back in '09 along with some new machinery joining the fray. Dan Daly is installing an Indycar Ilmor Chevy V8 by all accounts - I guess to be able to compete with the F1 mounted hillclimb cars now entering the class against whom he has been giving away 300+ horsepower, in particular the gorgeous and beautifully prepared Gould of Sylvie Mullins.

But I am just a mere fan with no inside knowledge...let's hear all the news and goss from you insiders.

Over to you all!!

LOL yeah was nearly as heated as some of the driving at times ... way too early though to say much about whats happening until things start to firm up a bit more, but yes the bar has been raised with the competitivness of the hillclimb cars.

Would like to hear what people think about the season though, highs and lows, and comment about the class in general ... Libre Racer threw in his tuppence worth on driver ratings last year ... how does that stack up now

Cant believe there hasnt been more chat about the race of the century at the last Mondello where Sylvie and Jonathan both scorched round below the outright circuit record!! Man, what a race!

[Graz]

It's never too early to talk Irish Libre Ed - I have withdrawal symptoms already!

Alas I was not at the final Mondello event but by all accounts it was a corker.

The lows of the season for me would be that some of the regular 'big cars' were not out much or at all. Johnathan Fildes not doing the full season was also a great pity. Jim Hutchinson and his amazing Jade 3 have to make more regular appearances - man he was driving the nuts off that thing at the 40th anniversary meeting, he was on the rev limiter in every gear down the front straight, awesome.

On the upside, the racing was spectacular and close, more so than in previous years I'd say and the raising of the bar in terms of machinery - who ever thought we'd see an Irish series with F1 & Indycar powered cars? We need to get the EuroBoss guys back and do a bit of butt kicking!

I really cannot wait until the '09 season

[Peter Dunne]

Originally Posted by stealth1

Would like to hear what people think about the season though, highs and lows, and comment about the class in general ... Libre Racer threw in his tuppence worth on driver ratings last year ...

OK, I'll bite.

High point for me was the 24ish car grid for the 40th Anniversary meeting.

Low point(s): The cancellation of the Libre race in August due to poor entries and following in the same vein, the poor entry (11) for the last race of the year. Hopefully this was due to most guys having done enough for the year and not an indication of things to come.

I would rate the following based on who I feel got the best out of their car:

1) Has to be Jonathan Fildes.

2) Dan Daly. Don't think there's a lot more to get out of the Reynard.

3) Michael Roche. Won every 2litre race he competed in and often punched above his weight.

4) Sylvie Mullins. Certainly very quick in his new Gould. Lots more to come from him next year when he gets used to it.

5) Jim Hutchinson. Didn't see as much of him as previous years, but when he came out, was very quick.

6) Ken Fildes. What can I say about Ken? There are many guys nearly half his age (myself included) that would love to lap Mondello close to the times achieved by him.

7) Alan Kessie. Got the elusive win this year but was let down by reliability.

8) Simon Mc Kinley. Very quick on the couple of occasions he was out. If he kept the tail of the Lant in line, would be a lot faster.

9) Peter Dwyer. Won the 2.0L championship and shaved about 2 secs of his lap time by year end.

10) Joey Greenan. Did very well in a pretty standard Opel Lotus.

[Graz]

Originally Posted by Peter Dunne

OK, I'll bite.

High point for me was the 24ish car grid for the 40th Anniversary meeting.

Low point(s): The cancellation of the Libre race in August due to poor entries and following in the same vein, the poor entry (11) for the last race of the year. Hopefully this was due to most guys having done enough for the year and not an indication of things to come.

I would rate the following based on who I feel got the best out of their car:

1) Has to be Jonathan Fildes.

2) Dan Daly. Don't think there's a lot more to get out of the Reynard.

3) Michael Roche. Won every 2litre race he competed in and often punched above his weight.

4) Sylvie Mullins. Certainly very quick in his new Gould. Lots more to come from him next year when he gets used to it.

5) Jim Hutchinson. Didn't see as much of him as previous years, but when he came out, was very quick.

6) Ken Fildes. What can I say about Ken? There are many guys nearly half his age (myself included) that would love to lap Mondello close to the times achieved by him.

7) Alan Kessie. Got the elusive win this year but was let down by reliability.

8) Simon Mc Kinley. Very quick on the couple of occasions he was out. If he kept the tail of the Lant in line, would be a lot faster.

9) Peter Dwyer. Won the 2.0L championship and shaved about 2 secs of his lap time by year end.

10) Joey Greenan. Did very well in a pretty standard Opel Lotus.

Yeah, I'd broadly agree though I would have Eamon Mathesson in there instead of Alan Kessie. Wayne Douglas also appeared as often as Jim H so he should be there also I'd think.

I hope 2009 will see the series gain momentum again. Will we see some of this years absentee's/occasional's out in 09?

Re Dan Daly and the Ilmor, is he putting that in the back of the Reynard or getting a new chassis?

When will Driftwood put his money where his (large ) mouth is and come over for a spanking (on track of course, Max Mosely will not be here...)

[Peter Dunne]

Originally Posted by Graz

Re Dan Daly and the Ilmor, is he putting that in the back of the Reynard or getting a new chassis?

Its currently in the back of another Reynard.

Originally Posted by Graz

When will Driftwood put his money where his (large ) mouth is and come over for a spanking (on track of course, Max Mosely will not be here...)

Sometime on the 12th of Never

I agree with you about Wayne. The reason I put Jim in instead is that he has been out in previous years but Wayne (afaik) has only been out on one occasion.

[Peter Dunne]

Originally Posted by stealth1

Cant believe there hasnt been more chat about the race of the century at the last Mondello where Sylvie and Jonathan both scorched round below the outright circuit record!!

Not quite true.

Apparently when John Morris and his team took over Mondello, there was some confusion as to class/outright lap records so they decided to "start from scratch".

The actual outright lap record for the Mondello Nat Circuit is 50.22 by Nigel Greensall in a Tyrrell Judd 3.5 V10 in May 1997.

Sylvie got tantalizingly close in qualifying with a 50.40, and I reckon that on the right day, in the right conditions, he will beat Greensall's time.

(PS, don't get me wrong, 51.087 is a fantastic time)

[stealth1]

Originally Posted by Peter Dunne

Not quite true.

Apparently when John Morris and his team took over Mondello, there was some confusion as to class/outright lap records so they decided to "start from scratch".

The actual outright lap record for the Mondello Nat Circuit is 50.22 by Nigel Greensall in a Tyrrell Judd 3.5 V10 in May 1997.

Sylvie got tantalizingly close in qualifying with a 50.40, and I reckon that on the right day, in the right conditions, he will beat Greensall's time.

(PS, don't get me wrong, 51.087 is a fantastic time)

Good on ya Peter, thanks for airing that!

Like your driver asessments and cant argue altough I've always felt that trying to get mad dog to drive smoothly would b like trying to get Murray Walker to do a commentary standing still ... just aint in the guys nature, so I dont think HE would b any quicker, whatever about a smoother driver ... talk nicely to your namesake, he might let u try!

BTW like your ad in racecarsdirect!

[libre racer]

Originally Posted by stealth1

LOL yeah was nearly as heated as some of the driving at times ... way too early though to say much about whats happening until things start to firm up a bit more, but yes the bar has been raised with the competitivness of the hillclimb cars.

Would like to hear what people think about the season though, highs and lows, and comment about the class in general ... Libre Racer threw in his tuppence worth on driver ratings last year ... how does that stack up now

Cant believe there hasnt been more chat about the race of the century at the last Mondello where Sylvie and Jonathan both scorched round below the outright circuit record!! Man, what a race!

Did someone mention The Libre Racer Top Ten.Is it that time of year again?
Seeing as you asked.
1 Dan Daly
2 J Fildes
M Roche
S Mullins
J Greenan
E Matheson
K Fildes
A Kessie
S Mc Kinley
P O Dwyer

[Peter Dunne]

Originally Posted by libre racer

Did someone mention The Libre Racer Top Ten.Is it that time of year again?

Oh no, HE'S back!!

[libre racer]

Originally Posted by Peter Dunne

Oh no, HE'S back!!

Thats not much of a welcome.Is it because you didnt make my top ten?

Maybe someone else will post their top ten? I may be wrong ?

Any news on next season ? Will Mondello being dropping their fees to fight the credit crunch or will it be the opposite ?

[Peter Dunne]

Originally Posted by libre racer

Thats not much of a welcome.Is it because you didnt make my top ten?

I'm top of my wifes top ten and thats all that matters to me

[Thundersports]

I think Mondello may be a little bumpy still for the Euroboss series.

[Peter Dunne]

Originally Posted by Thundersports

I think Mondello may be a little bumpy still for the Euroboss series.

No bumpier than Monaco. Wimps!

[stealth1]

2009 race dates as follows

April 12 Mondello National
May 10/11 Mondello International
May 30 Kirkistown
July 4/5 Anglesey
August 9/10 Phoenix Park
August 23 Mondello National
Sept 12/13 Mondello International

Ed

[Burnsie]

Originally Posted by stealth1

2009 race dates as follows

April 12 Mondello National
May 10/11 Mondello International
May 30 Kirkistown
July 4/5 Anglesey
August 9/10 Phoenix Park
August 23 Mondello National
Sept 12/13 Mondello International

Ed

I assume you mean May 9/10 and August 8/9, but the Motorsport Ireland website doesn't list anything for May 9th...? I'm just trying to sort out my leave request for my of an employer! Definitely don't want to miss any Libre races!!

[davyboy]

Is the Park on this year ?

[MagnetON]

Allegedly. I've heard mention of the fact that fundraising activities are being examined in order to finance The Park.

[Jennifer_ni]

The park is still provisional at the minute.

[Peter Dunne]

That may be so, but I know that Eamonn Ledwidge, Ann Stevens et al are working tirelessy to secure funding. Eamonn was telling me of some exciting plans for this years Park, so if sponsors can be found then it should be a cracker.

Its not over yet!!

[SAMD]

Originally Posted by Peter Dunne

That may be so, but I know that Eamonn Ledwidge, Ann Stevens et al are working tirelessy to secure funding. Eamonn was telling me of some exciting plans for this years Park, so if sponsors can be found then it should be a cracker.

Its not over yet!!

If it was to happen, have you any idea when it would be?..... August? Sept?

[Graz]

Originally Posted by SAMD

If it was to happen, have you any idea when it would be?..... August? Sept?

August I believe

[stealth1]

August 8/9 are the right dates for The Park as Burnsie correctly pointed out above and he’s also right about 9/10 May, which along with 12/13 September were supposed to be 2 day meetings on the International circuit, but I see now on the Formula Ford calendar that they list the September date (Leinster Trophy) as being on the National circuit … confusion reigns!

Park organisers are working away, and plan to highlight/launch the event as part of the Paddy’s day celebrations with a parade of cars through the city centre on Sunday 15th March. Not sure of the exact format just yet but would like to see the 3 Libre classes represented, if any of you fancy that little jaunt.

On a similar note you may have heard about the upcoming Race Experience Day in Mondello on Sunday 1st March. Formula Libre, along with every other current class will have a presence there, and there will be opportunities during the day for the cars on our display to do a few laps.

Following on from his successful track day in November, Alan Kessie has booked the circuit for another one on the day before, 28 February, and again, there will be separate sessions for single seaters if there are enough there to justify it

Another development of interest to Libre is that the Tynagh circuit near Loughrea has been licensed to hold single seater testing. See the Libre website formulalibreireland.com for details of all these events

[Peter Dunne]

Regarding Formula Libre for '09:

Dan mentioned at the class meeting that there will be a few new faces in the two litre class.

The Ilmor engines are coming along nicely.

John Downey is moving from the Formula 5 that he has successfully peddled for the past couple of years to a '92 Reynard F3000 with a TVR 4.5 V8 lump.

Coupled with the usual suspects, it looks like being another good year for Libre

[Thundersports]

May 30/31 Euroboss at Brands Hatch confirmed it would be great to see some of you come over............