Phoenix Park Races 2009

Keno

Team Manager/Racer

We arrived in the park on Friday afternoon taking two trips to drop the four vees up. Morgan was in his own car while i borrowed Dan's car Dave Heavey was in the spare car and Paul was driving Ray Moore's new vee. By six o clock we were through scrutiny and set up for the weekend and we could chill out for the evening.

Up at 7.30 on to get ready for qualifying which would be 3 laps behind the safety car and then 10 minutes to get 2 fast laps. The fastest lap would be grid position for race 1 and the 2nd fastest being your grid position for race 2. On the last pace car lap the field slowed and Paul hit the back of another car breaking his rear suspension which wasn't a great start. I managed to catch and pass a few cars and even though the engine didn't feel right i felt i'd done reasonable times. When I came back in I found out I was 2nd on the grid for both races behind Stapo so that was good, Morgan was 12th and the 2 Heavey's at the back of the grid, Paul because of his suspension failure and Dave because of a slipping clutch. Saturday was full of delays so our 1st race was postponed til Sunday morning meaning we had no work to do on Saturday night.

Sunday morning was another early start and a morning warm up was on for anyone who needed it. Morgan felt he needed more laps to learn the circuit and Dave and Paul went out to make sure their cars were ok, I was happy enough to sit it out. No problems this run and all cars came back in one piece and all drivers happy. For the race I was determined to nail Stapo off the line. When the flag dropped I got off the line ok but dropped to 5th on the run to the 1st corner but got back to 2nd around the outside of turn 1 settling in behind Garry Newsome. Robbie Allen Was then putting me under serious pressure and we swapped places a couple of times but he eventually got ahead and pulled a gap. My engine problem wasn't helping and a couple of small mistakes meant I'd dropped to 9th mid race in a very close battle. Then coming out of Furry Glen Mark Horan hit the back of Stapo and went straight up in the air. An opportunist move saw me gain 3 places because of the incident and I worked my way back up to 4th when the flag came out.
Unfortunately I was the only KERS Leastone to finish the race, Paul going out early on with gear selection problems, Dave hit Stapo late in the race and damaged his steering and Morgan retired on the last lap with clutch problems. Not a great race for the team but well done to Garry Newsome..

There was a lot of work to be done on the cars in the 2 hours before the next race for the Emmerson Fittipaldi cup. Dave fixed his steering while Paul sorted out his gear problems, chief mechanic Chris set about changing Morgans clutch and i worked on oil pressure problems on my own car. We managed to get all the cars ready with minutes to spare and were all back on the grid for the big race. I lined up 2nd with Morgan 12th and Paul and Dave coming from the back. When the flag dropped I managed to jump Stapo but again Garry flew into the lead from the 2nd row. I settled into 2nd and was pushing hard to catch Garry when i clipped the exit of the chicane and was lucky not to damage the car. Robbie Allen was again on my case and my engine was getting slower every lap! Robbie got past me and I was loosing ground to him when the safety car came out due to an incident involving Kershaw,Stapo and David Parkes.
On the restart Garry and Robbie pulled a gap on me but more importantly i had a big gap to the car behind. I knew i couldn't win the race because my engine was getting worse so all i could do was push like crazy to keep Springy and Stapo behind me who I could see getting closer and closer in my mirrors. Meanwhile up front Garry and Robbie were going at it hammer and thongs swapping the lead between them when suddenly on the last lap Garry's car slowed coming out of the last corner and I was up to 2nd. Behind me Stapo had passed Springy and was right on my tail and trying everything to find away around me. However I was able to hold him off for the last couple of corners and crossed the line just ahead of him and Springy.
Congrats to Robbie Allen on a great win.

2nd was a good result considering my engine problems, Dave also having a great run to 5th from the back of the grid and Morgan having his best ever finish of 7th. Paul's bad luck continued with another dnf. All in all it was a great weekend with a good turn out of spectators. KERS motorsport would like to thank the organisers for the huge effort they put in to making the event happen.

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Leo

Commentator

9am
Camper just set up behind the commentary box, coffee made, ready to rock. Bit of a delay getting going, there always is on the Saturday of the Park!

9.43am,
Abarths just out, they look great on track, this is what its all about. Bit of a buzz starting now!

Half way through qualifying, weather still holding, in fact it’s getting quite hot in the commentary box; Matt is sweating like a dyslexic on Countdown.

Hard luck on Gary Newsome whose car stopped half way through. At least he managed 3rd on the grid; Paul Heavey didn’t even manage to get going as his car stopped coming out onto the circuit. He should be worth watching later on. He won’t be too unhappy though, as his cars have locked out the front row courtesy of class returnees John Stapleton and Ken Elliot.

2.30pm,
All going nicely, only one incident so far. Bob Cameron’s Pink Pig Porsche swapped end on the brakes into PR Reilly corner and hit the concrete barriers. The driver was fine but the Porky didn’t look great afterwards.

2.31pm
Spot of luncheon and a glass of vino, ya gotta love The Park!!

Classic bikes just finished, Matt just went for a spin with Mark Kelly in the course car!!



3.53pm,
Almost time to go racing, Fiatnam first on the menu; stand back down at turn one!!!

5.30pm,
Formula Libre was incredible, big hold up on the grid, a lot of cars ran hot. Great race though, Niall Quinn hung on for the win after everyone else spun or stopped. Great performance by him though!!

6pm,
Racing over for the day unfortunately, tomorrow will be busy!!

8pm Saturday;
In the paddock. Great Party atmosphere, barbeques lit and beer flowing, as are all the stories! Winners hoping for the Park Double and others fixing cars or rueing missed opportunities.

10pm
Customary pint(s) in The Hole in The Wall, Gordon Kellett and Andy Dalton celebrating their respective victories, a bicycle race went by and we started commentating

12am
En route back to the paddock in Andy Dalton’s camper van. Amazing how many people you can get into a camper…….

9.15 am Sunday.
Practise starting, double drivers out first. We missed a few races yesterday so it’s going to be a busy one today!

Libre warm up on track now, fantastic sounds from John Naylor’s Lola Chevy, hope nobody in Castleknock was planning a Sunday morning lie-on!!

10.30am,
Demonstrations, parade laps zzzzzz……… Bring on the racing!!

Cracking Punto Abarth race. Rob Barrable beats all the regulars in his first saloon race and first visit to the Park….. Loads of panel bashing, I bet the crowd loved that one!

1pm,
The place is filling up, even a crowd at the start finish line, first corner must be jammers!

1.30pm,
Spot of lunch and a glass of vino with The Voice of Irish Motorsport, Robin Rhodes!

Dublin Grand Prix lines up, no sign of Sylvie Mullins, engine gave up yesterday. Dan Daly rockets away from pole and looks like he is going to disappear into the distance. Ken Fildes keeps with him and even closes the gap towards the end. Their styles are so different; Dan is all arms and elbows, the car never seems fully settled, with loads of sideways moments, Ken is, as ever, silky smooth. Enda Byrne has been flying in third, but disappeared on the last lap, along with Eamonn Matheson. Former Veester Dermot Nolan is fourth and wins the 2 litre class.

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Cregor

Photographer

7am,
I spring out of bed with a leap as I love the Park, I've been going to the races most of my life and it's one of the highlights of the year for me. I meet people I haven't seen in years but also people see me in action, which is rare enough as I usually stand in Mondello with only a few snappers and whatever Marshalls are assigned to the post I'm on. My enthusiasm doesn't last long as my head is thumping, and my lift has arrived 15 minutes early...... no coffee for me, I down a Berocca and I'm on the way feeling a bit peaky.
I was up the Park last night so I know where we're based for the weekend. I've also measured the distance from the Paddock to Mountjoy and the Furry Glen Corners. It's a long way and the distance is not for fun especially as I'm usually weighed down like a Sherpa on race day.

8am,
I get the vital coffee from the van in the paddock but am still feeling a bit dodgy. The Berocca and coffee hasn't mixed well with the lager from Friday. Bernie has arrived though so scran isn't too far away, he cooks a great brecky in the truck and while we abuse him a fair bit we're all grateful for the food. Mary gives me two tablets for the head and all of a sudden I'm on top of the world again and rearing for action.

9am,
I fit the receiver for the camera to the Doc's (Morgan) car and then go round the other bloggers to make sure they haven't forgotten me for the weekend. Downey arrives with a massive trailer and I join in the slagging of it until he offers to let me sleep in it for the weekend. It's a step up from the front seats of the lorry (apparently I snore) and I gratefully accept.

10am,
I stroll over to the office to sign on. As a photographer I need to sign on at every event, there's usually a sheet in the Media room or Race Control, however today there's a problem. The sign on is at the start/ finish line, which is a mere mile and a half from where I stand. I get Kenos bike and cycle over and am roasted by the time I get there. Leo has his camper set up and I get a nice cup of tea. The Abarths are out but loose deer have stopped the session. I sign on with Felix and head back to the paddock.

11am,
I'm not back long when it's time to head out for qualifying. I want to catch the Vee's and Libre's to get some panned shots, I head for the main straight where the trees will give a nice background. The Libres have been split into two groups and the big cars aren't running until later. I do two sessions and when I hear the other Libre's aren't out until later head back to the paddock. I walk to the gates of Farmleigh and get the shuttle bus with Martin into the paddock.

12-2 pm,
I install a few cameras to cars when I get back to the paddock. The Doc hasn't turned his on in qualifying so there's no need to change his tape. I berate him for this oversight. Keno's has worked; he's using a new system of two cameras so I'm happy. Marky has helped with turning it on and off. This is the weak link with the cameras. It is all too easy for a driver to forget to turn it on as a million things are going through his head, so I always try to ge someone to remind them. Marky is a great help with this. Tim supplies some lunch from the barbie as I'm working on his car, fair play.

3pm,
I head out to the track for the racing. I don't know what time it is and am surprised it's gone three when I get to Mountjoy. I was heading to the Furry Glen but when I had been out earlier I'd lost the monopod I was using. Terry was good enough to help me out in Kirkistown with the loan of it as mine went for a burton in Wales. I retrace my steps from the morning having checked with the gate the marshall nooone had handed it to him and find it under a chestnut tree. Phewwwww. I chat with Grant and the Marshalls at Mountjoy while I try and secure a lift to the Furry Glen. The legs are feeling a bit weary now.

4-6pm,
I'm down the Furry Glen thanks to a lift from John Whitley, and amazingly racing hasn't started yet. There are demo laps from some of the car clubs, which to me are a bore. Then an Evo does 3 laps by itself and I'm thinking to myself what the hell is going on here. Racing eventually gets underway but there's no way all the races will be run by 6 o clock. The Fiats, and Strykers have a run. Then there's an attempt to start the Libre race. What a shambles; it takes ages and seems a lot of cars have stalled on the grid and are pushed to the side. A rolling start finally gets the race underway. The pit crews are vital to these type of cars and they haven't been able to cover the distance from the paddock for the start of the race. The Vee race (among others) is cancelled to Sunday, and I'm well pissed off. This means twice as much work on the Sunday. Gillespie breaks down in front of for the 2nd time today and I grab a lift back to the paddock with Tom in the snatch vehicle

7pm,
I float around the paddock mooching some food, checking out the cars, and chatting to a few people. The urgency of the day has passed and with mostly racing people left there is a good atmosphere around the place. The smell of barbecue's is everywhere. I have a few beers with the team and we have a good laugh. Several different people join us during the evening and we slag them all. It's a good laugh. We recrate crashes and incidents, this time in sillouette by the 'Park light' and resort to High Jinx. I'm determined not to be green and dying on Sunday, as is the most recent tradition so I slope off to bed at 2am


Sunday

9am,
The alarm goes off, and I arise not feeling too bad atall. I have a fizzy water and then go in hunt of some brecky. I've missed Bernie's fry so have to settle for a breakfast roll from the van. There's a seller of good coffee in the paddock, which is unusual but welcome. This sets me up for the day.

10am,
I head for the Furry Glen again. There are new concrete barriers used this year instead of Armco. I don't think they are too safe for the drivers but they give great protection to the likes of me. I'm able to stand at the apex on the outside of the corner and catch the cars as they come down the Furze Road. I watch a couple of races and have a laugh with the crew of the Rescue Vans. I discover I've been wearing odd boots all weekend. Damien from the ambulance holds the video camera for the start of the Vee race while I get some photos. Garry Newsome takes a well-deserved win having led all the way. It was a great race from the Vee's

12am,
I've walked back to the paddock. I check my in car cameras and change batteries in those that are needed. A set only last one race so two races in a day is difficult for me. Keno's has failed during the race. This is a disappointment to me. Cameras sorted I chat to people around the paddock until 2 o clock.

2pm,
I head off for the long trek to Dublin corner. It's really warm and sticky and I've a friction cut on my leg from all the walking. The Libre saloons are out as I walk and there is a light rain shower. Barry Rabbitt in a Honda Integra is leading and holding off a field of Lotus and Porsches. The rain stops and the Rabbitt is snared by the chasing group; good effort though I stop in the commentary box as I pass but everyone is busy in there. I stay a couple of minutes, give Felix some sugar I promised him and head on.
There is a large crowd as I walk along the straight to Dublin corner. People I know are shouting at me and waving, I love this and feel like a minor celebrity for a few minutes. There are so few big racing events in Ireland that I don't think the novelty of this will ever wear off on me. I get to Dublin corner well baked and am glad to get the camera bags off me. I'm just in time for the Vee race.
I move away from the corner to shoot a good video. Robbie Allen wins a cracking race. I'm very happy for him. He hasn't won a race all season but I'm sure given the choice he would have picked this one to be his first. The 'Emmo' will be coming home to Ireland after a spell in the Uk with Stapo. Garry Newsome breaks down at Dublin corner. I ask him what happened at the end of the race, and he tells me the car just died. I'm heading back to the corner when I hear a Guard shouting at me. It's Dave O Brien on his bike. He's probably checking what happened to his car as Garry had been driving it, he’s let the no tax slide. I chat for a minute before he has to legit.

3pm,
The Dublin Grand Prix (Libre Race) is about to get underway. I'm hoping Dancing Dan (Daly) or Naill Quinn win. It's a cracking race but Quinn breaks a drive shaft off the line and is out. Dan leads all the way and takes a well-deserved victory. Vee mechanic Enda Byrne is in 3rd in the closing stages but his engine goes on the last lap. Gillespie looks like he will get a finish but he comes together with the Ragged Edge on the last lap. Heavey had pulled his Vee off at Dublin corner in the previous race so he's standing beside me instead of racing. I enjoy the banter with the other snappas for a while, some of whom I only see once a year

4pm,
I'm too tired to walk back to the paddock. I keep a beady eye on the track for a lift. I see a bus heading my way and think I'm in like Flynn. I move out to the edge of the track and stick out a hitchhikers thumb. The driver signals like he's going to stop but then legs it as he turns the corner. I'm not impressed. The photographers are all having a good laugh at my expense. Two minutes later a Mondello Track Team Pick up comes along towing Donal Griffin and fair play to Ed he picks me up. I jump in the back and salute the laughing snappas. Chester gets a nice photo and sends it to me later. Nice one Michael. I ride around the track back to the paddock waving at the crowd when they wave to me. The air is cool and refreshing.

5pm,
I recover the cameras from the cars I fitted them in and we start to pack up. Tim and Robbie both sort me out with some food It takes about an hour to load the race cars and take down the awnings, before heading to the podium for the presentations. I've not brought the laptop this weekend so all my cards are full. I take photos with the small camera I brought for blog photos. I collect some results sheets. Ann Stevens is in the office and I thank her for the weekend, she’s done a great job. I meet Groggy (the bus driver) and we have a laugh at how he suckered me. He’s also been a great worker getting the park ready

6pm,
I'm under the impression it's much later but we pull out of the paddock at 6pm. I'm tired and my muscles ache but it's been a good weekend. I'm happy the event has gone ahead even if some things could have been done better. There are videos to process and photos to upload and touch up, websites to update and a blog to write so even though I've been flat out  all weekend my work is only just beginning.

Roll on next year, the Park must go on

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Dave

Racer

With the new paddock layout, it was up early doors to make it to the Park before the roads were closed. Leaving Kildare at 7am with mammy and sister in tow was no mean feat and I was also sidetracked with some last minute phone calls from Pops to collect some spares from the workshop! With scrutiny out of the way on Friday and the KERS Leastone ready to rock, I could kick back and enjoy Uncle John’s legendary breakfast as we psyched up for qualifying scheduled at 1045. It being the Park, I was flat out branding newly painted cars from the Total Formula 5’s, to the Spire sportscar and the seemingly never ending task of sticking Stena Lines and Dunlops to our nosecones!

Lots of waiting was involved before qualifying as the deer played havoc on track. With the paddock layout, it was very difficult for us to grasp what exactly was going on track but otherwise the paddock was superb. After a lengthy delay, qualifying was underway. However, even before I reached Mountjoy I knew I was in trouble. In order to accommodate my 6’5” frame, we had to adjust the pedals and like a dumbass, I forgot to compensate the clutch adjustment at the gearbox end which meant I had a slipping clutch before I even reached the racetrack. Careful not to overheat the clutch, I cruised around to get the 3 required timed laps and returned to the paddock. 18th on the grid wasn’t great but I was confident enough because I knew the park is one of the easier tracks to pass around.

Any thoughts of feeling sorry for myself disappeared when Dad’s Vee arrived back on the wrecker after rearranging its rear suspension at Mountjoy as the timed session was about to begin. So it was time to tool up and get that fixed seen as I had my car fixed in all of 6 mins! One trailing arm, axle boot and suspension push rod later and he was good to go. In the meantime he managed to qualify his Formula 5 8th overall in Formula Libre and put the Spire on the front row for Saloon Libre.
Busy times.

After all that drama we were left to stand around and wait for race one but with the timetable getting seriously delayed I was beginning to have my doubts. Sure enough when we eventually made it to the dummy grid we were told the race had to be postponed and run early in the morning. I was fuming. It was a quick change out of my gear and then to make a beeline for a wedding reception in Laois. All this rearranging meant I had to be at the track in preparation for a race at 1130 as opposed to 1500 but hey, these things happen.

Sunday morning wasn’t as painful as I thought and I arrived at the Park in plenty time for the morning warm up. I had no real problems and was feeling good in preparation for the race apart from a girly blister on my gear change hand! I made a good start from 18th and was well inside the top ten by the end of first lap. It was pretty hectic but try as I might, I couldn’t really make much of an impression. I was struggling a bit on the long park straights and was falling away from the 2-6th battle when I arrived into Turn 1 and tagged the back wheel of John Stapleton breaking the steering and leaving me parked in a nice viewing spot. I was pretty pissed with myself as I thought I’d badly misjudged all the boys braking in front of me but Stapo informed that there was a schmozzle in the middle of the corner and everyone was stood hard on the anchors. I’ll put that one down to experience...

The marshals informed me that we’d have to wait to get the car back so I got to watch the saloon libre. Dad managed to stall not once but twice and drop to last but he scythed his way through the field and was homing in on the leaders when he ditched it at Mountjoy, ruining the front end of the lovely sportscar. And they wonder where I get it from....

We got the car back to the paddock and after some new steering blocks were put in place we were ready for business again. My start wasn’t quite as impressive as the first one because everyone seemed aware of the hard shoulder trick that worked so well and I think I came out of Turn 1 last! A pass with 2 wheels on the grass rectified this and just as I was chastising myself for such a risky move, I look up and here’s Dad passing 2-3 cars in the same way!

It was all a bit chaotic from there on in but this is the price you pay for qualifying so far down. Exiting Dublin Crystal on lap 2 I managed to ram Dad as he lost gears but luckily I got away with minimal damage. The chaos continued when Steve Kershaw got into bother exiting the chicane causing a concertina effect which saw David Parkes exit stage left into a huge earth mound and me getting all manner of crossed up avoiding someone who decided to jam on the brakes! Luckily the safety car was deployed, which gave me a chance to clean out my jocks in preparation for the final 7 mins.

I was tucked up behind Stapo in 8th for the restart but I could only just about hold onto him and the lead train. I had some seriously enjoyable laps driving flat out (getting a little intimate with the chicane more than once...) and was gifted 6th place when Mark Horan and Lloyd Murphy got friendly at Dublin Crystal. That became 5th when Garry Newsome ground to a halt with flames belching from his exhaust. I pushed as hard as I dared to stay in touch with the cars ahead but brought it home 5th, somewhat disappointing but not bad when I think of where I started!

So that was my third park over, hopefully we will see it again next year. Many thanks to everyone who made it happen, from the organisers, to the stewards, to the marshals and the paddock staff. Also a major thanks to my sponsors Stena Line, Dunlop, Total Finol and Johnber without whom the weekend wouldn’t have been possible. And a special thanks to Ken Elliott for trusting me with his car for the weekend. I brought it home in one piece....kind of!

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Garry

Racer

Nothing quite beats the excitement of racing at the Phoenix Park, It’s definitely my favourite event and I was delighted to be able to participate with the help of David O’Brien who kindly lent me his Sheane Vee for the 2 day event.

Once everything was loaded up me and the team, consisting of my Dad, Brothers Lee and Sean set off for the Phoenix Park on Friday evening and arrived at around 10 o’clock, a little later than intended! Once our pit area was set up we had a walk around the new paddock area to get some of the unique Phoenix Park atmosphere. The Paddock was laid out very well and the cars and displays were well presented.

After a couple of social drinks it was time for bed, (mattresses in the back of our van ) although getting to sleep would prove difficult with the noise coming from one of the teams generator’s that was beside our van, I believe a neighbour had enough by 2 o’clock and turned it off, thanks Dermot ! Saturday arrived and we got to work at around 7.15 unloading the car and doing a few last minute jobs before scrutiny. Scrutiny was carried out by class scrutineers’ Gerry Kehoe and his Daughter Bernadette. Once the car was given the Ok we could now relax and wait for qualifying.

As the Park is run on public roads, through a wooded park location with loads of wildlife around unusual problems occur which impact on the timetable and 2009 was no different. Qualifying eventually got under way more than an hour behind schedule. We completed 2 laps behind the pace car to familiarise ourselves with the layout of the track and I familiarised myself with the new Car. Once the safety car was gone it was down to business and I felt comfortable with the car straight away which was a bonus. The thrill of driving the Park is a unique feeling, there is a buzz attached to racing on the open road through the wooded surroundings that just can’t be replicated at any other circuit.

Half way through the session the car started to hesitate exiting the second gear corners which would seem to be carburetion issues but an electrical miss arrived through the final corner which eventually cut short the session for me with a couple of laps remaining. Luckily the problem wasn’t terminal and I was glad to be able to restart and make it back to the pits without a tow!

Once back we decided to change anything that could have been causing the misfire so we replaced the points and condenser, coil, fuel filter and air filters. The brakes also needed some work. When all the changes were made we waited for our race time to come around. Due to the delays during the day we were over 2 hours behind time and by the time we were in assembly and ready to go on track our worst fears where realised when the news came through that the organisers had run out of time and we would not be able to race on Saturday, we would now get 2 races on Sunday instead. This was a big disappointment mainly because some family and friends had come along to support the event but they didn’t get to see our race and they didn’t really care for the demonstrations that took up some of the time during the day.

Sunday started with a warm up which was useful to see if the problems from the previous day had been sorted. All went well and we were ready for the 1st race.

I qualified 3rd behind pole man John Stapleton and Ken Elliott. Robbie Allen was along side me in 4th. I got a great start and took the lead into the 1st Corner. I managed to get a break from the chasing pack who were battling hard for position. This worked to my advantage and I was able to stay in front to the flag and take my first win at the Park in a Formula Vee. It was a great feeling and all the work had paid off.

For the second race the grid was the same as the first encounter. I again got a great start and lead into the 1st corner, I pushed hard to make a break while the others battled for position, this was working but unfortunately the hesitation we had was getting worse and I wasn’t getting out of the second gear corners well and then the lead I had was eroded when the safety car was deployed to allow the marshals clear an accident on the way to the Fury Glen, Thankfully none of the drivers involved were hurt in the accident. Once the safety car came in I went flat out and got a couple of car lengths lead into the first corner but now I was really struggling for drive out of the 2nd gear corners and Robbie was able to close rite in on my gearbox. Having to drive defensively exaggerated the problem of exiting the corners and Robbie was able to get by on the exit of PR Reilly corner on the penultimate lap. I followed Robbie down through the chicane and around the Fury Glen, I got a good draft down to the final corner and went to his inside which he defended, this allowed me to get a good run through the final corner and I was able to draft by down the main straight on to the last lap, we both broke late but when I got on the power to exit the corner the car was dead. I tried in vain to start her up but to no avail, and I was out of the race. I was obviously disappointed for the race to end in that way but I was glad with the weekend and very happy to win a race and be competitive on my return to Vee racing, the most competitive and well run class in Ireland.

I’d like to thank Dave O’Brien for the use of his car, my Dad, Brother’s Lee & Sean and friend Alan for their help leading up to and across the weekend.

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Gerry

Scrutineer

The Park 09 started on Friday afternoon as we fenced off our home for the weekend on the way into the paddock. After this a chat with the rest of the scrutineering team followed by a walk about the new, solid, paddock and the weekend is underway. Scrutiny in the Phoenix Park has some extra considerations with the race cars undergoing more stresses than on a circuit; also if things go ‘off plan’ there is very restricted run offs at this venue. With this in mind scrutiny was started with some of the cars done in the paddock while other scrutineers remained at the parc freme area for any race cars brought there. Scrutiny went by quite painlessly with some small problems to be fixed but all cars were passed for the track. A quick scout of the new surroundings and a gourmet coffee van is in attendance for the weekend, things are looking up. The Friday evening scrutiny ended around 8 O’clock as we left the grounds of Farmleigh house. On the way out all the hard work put in by the club, the OPW and the track team was evident.

The actual race weekend started Saturday morning with a scrutiny opening for 7am to complete the final few cars not presented on Friday evening. With the safety checks done on all cars and the paperwork filled in attention turned to the weekend’s timetable, as it was on Saturday morning, the plan was for a practice and race on Saturday with a second race on Sunday. So the weekend was set getting plans in place, we then got our transport for the weekend, for any spectators reading we were in one of those blue Fiats for the weekend – not as glamorous as it looked! As we worked through this, over a tasty bacon roll, we noticed the lack of race engines; screaming the new paddock is a distance from the track but we couldn’t figure if there was nothing on track or if the engine note just wasn’t travelling. We later found the Parks permanent residents, the deer, had started the annual game of hide ‘n’ go seek; so with a delay on Saturday morning revision 2 of the timetable was rushed off the press printer, practice moved out a bit and the race to be just before the end of the day.

So as the class get’s called to assembly we head down to ensure no problems are being carried out on track, glad to see the cars look well now they are all together for the first time this weekend. OK all drivers strapped in, flame proof gear on, helmets closed and cars look like everything’s ok, time to run. As the scrutineers from the previous sessions come back to assembly we change places and head for the track. For this practice session we’re stationed down at Dublin corner, sorry PR Reilly corner, at the run-off area, this is the pressure time of the weekend for us; deciding how safe a car is to run on a race track as it passes you at race speed is not a normal thing to do, the NCT is not done from the hard shoulder of the M50! The practice went well, thankfully no calls across the radio to check any cars on track. For this part we stay behind a big solid skip and close to a bigger solid-er tree and listen to Leo tell us what’s happening on track, as it happened we were down one car before the start of practice, you know who you are! The cars stream through PR Reilly for most of the session without problem, one spinner all on his own managed to re-join. Then we get a car into the run off, the familiar Park sound of a Vee after blowing out a plug, Damien Flynn will have some work to make the race. He’s joined just at the end of the session by Gary Newsome after he hears a strange noise in the car he has a lend of this weekend, always more carefully with another mans toy! Well that’s the practice over as the cars head back to the paddock, Gary fires up No.31 and follows the field in while Damien goes back on the end of a rope. The field are all pulled into Parc Ferme and we have a look around to make sure none of the cars are showing signs of wear from their first encounter with the ‘Old Town Circuit’.

Practice over bit of a breather before the race perfect time for a walk about the paddock now everyone is set-up, the home for this years Phoenix Park Races paddock was in the grounds of Farmleigh house a solid underfoot this year as opposed the grass paddock in previous years. Due to the new location the new paddock was a bit more cramped than previous years but had room for everyone. As part of this year’s set-up a bus was running from the paddock to the gates of Farmleigh, very nice of the organisers to present the chance for one over on John Heavey! With John on his way to track for Practice I bumped into him and he asked where the free bus down pulled out from; too good to pass up I directed ‘Bernie’ to race control to obtain his ticket for the bus; return ticket of course. Shortly after as we made way to the start a commotion started as John was stood waving fist and shouting down the paddock; something about a free bus, no tickets and a duck??? Glad to get one over, thanks John.... If you didn’t make it to the paddock this year, unfortunately it was a trek from the circuit, it was well organised and contained some lovely cars; from the well presented race cars (obviously lead by the Formula Vee class) to the octane.ie cars and the Mazda & Alfa Romeo cars on display.

As the day rolls on and more delays are encountered people start getting jumpy about time limits and roads opening before all the races run. As the time is approaching the end of the first day the Vee class get called to assembly for the first race, the Ver. 2 timetable no longer in effect as the race order gets shuffled around. Then the bad news comes through, with almost everyone ready to go the cars are sent back from assembly – no Vee race for the Saturday; a busy Sunday starts to present itself. Well that’s day one over, time to get out of the Park again and re-group for the main event.

Sunday morning, another early start, 7am not much work on Sunday morning for the scrutineers, a few cars damaged on Saturday to be re-checked and some cars which haven’t ran yet to be looked at. This keeps the interest up as we wait for the roads to close and the racing to get going. A new timetable in effect on Sunday to accommodate the races missed on Saturday, a quick look and it’s a big ask, the track team will need to be on their game for this ask. For us focus goes on 11:50 & 14:45 the start of the weekend’s two Formula Vee races. Cars start to come to life as the first track time of Sunday approaches, it’s a practice session for cars with drivers who haven’t been on track on Saturday, then a Vee passes the scrutiny area, driver strapped in heading for assembly. A short walk later and it looks as like somebody has negotiated an untimed practice session for cars needing a run, word spread through the Vee camp and turns out quite a few ‘need’ a run! More cars keep arriving into assembly so we run through the checks all safe and the cars head to track.

The un-official practice back off track and the day looks to be running to the latest schedule, everybody will be paying close attention to today’s timetable! Sunday carries on with some warm-ups and then a few demonstrations, bit of down time for us before the days racing; time to make sure the coffee van is still in working order. For today’s races we will be stationed on the start finish line, if there’s a re-start (which can happen in the Park) cars may need to be approved before being allowed take the re-start.

The first race on the grid, engines race as the flag goes up and the Phoenix Park ’09 for Vees is underway. John gets a bad start off pole allowing Elliott, Newsome & Allen to take run on him to PR Reilly corner. At our post the start is the only part of the race to be seen in detail so we’re now listening to Leo & Matt to follow the action around the track. The race runs through with no major incident green flag to chequered flag with no reds. The cars return to Paddock, eligibility checks and time to re-fuel and prepare for race two.

Sunday’s second Vee race plays warm up to this years ‘Dublin Grand Prix’ so the lead up goes as before, cars to assembly -> check cars & drivers -> field led to grid; difference this time is the crowd watching. Second race to the grid, same line-up as for race one at the front and the start is very close to the last race; Stapleton bogs down of the line and Newsome & Elliot go around him with Robbie Allen also capitalising on the pole sitters bad start. There’s some excitement out the back of the track with the drivers trying their best to get their hands on the Emmerson Fittipald Trophy. During the race the Alfa 159 safety car is deployed, some trouble down near the chicane which the marshals need to clean up. No cars are reported with damage so we don’t have to check anything before the re-start, as the safety car pulls off Newsome takes control with he’s hard fought lead gone he tries to get the jump on the field. As he gets away Allen goes with him as they pull a lead on the rest of the field. All the cars a streaming by the start finish each lap looking well for the on looking crowd, the commentary team are getting excited about moves all around the track and a few cars slide off. Then just in the dying moments of the race Newsome’s hard work goes up in flames as the car died and the field get by so the race finishes with Allen taking the flag Ken Elliot & John Stapleton finish out the podium. The cars are brought back to the paddock, we go to work with some eligibility checks on a few cars and the Park is over for another year for the Formula Vee.

The end of Sunday evening there’s a quick walk around, saying bye to those packing up and getting ready for the trip home, during this the big boys from the Libre class come in talking every ones attention. The weekend finishes out with Rally & Rallycross cars having a go on track, when they come back off track we have about half an hour and we’re off duty. Chat with the rest of the team and sorting out whose about for the next meeting and the weekend is over. Into the car and home, the competitors are loading up as we head out of Farmleigh house and home from this years Phoenix Park Motor Racing. There were a few hiccups over the weekend but on the whole it was a good event. Looking forward to next year…

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