Mondello Park, Ireland’s first permanent motor racing circuit, celebrates its 45th birthday this month and to mark the occasion there’s going to be a bit of a party…
It was around this time back in 1968, when Mondello Park opened its doors as Ireland’s first permanent motor racing circuit. It started out as a short 0.8 mile loop but it didn’t take long to become the 1.26 mile National Circuit which is still in use for the majority of events today.
In 1985, the County Kildare circuit was purchased by Martin Birrane and with his support it was developed further, including an extension to bring the track length to 3km and create the internationally recognised venue that now exists.
To celebrate the venue’s 45th anniversary, the next Car Race event, on June 8th & 9th, will run as the “Mondello 45”, with a new award, the Birrane Trophy, being presented to the winner of the race which has the biggest grid of the meeting.
Additional features are being added to the event to create a celebration of Mondello Park’s history including a Mondello Park birthday party in the circuit bar on Saturday night.
Admission to the event will be decreased to just €4.50 for adults with under sixteen’s admitted free of charge, unless you arrive in a Mini, new or old, in which case admission is free! That’s because the very first even to be won at Mondello was by John Keaney in a Mini Cooper S back in May 1968.
With reduced admission, a birthday party, a Mini parade, additional attractions still to be announced and of course a top quality weekend’s racing, the event will be one of the highlights of the motor racing year.
For more check out the Mondello website here…
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