ITRC: Byrnes Donegal race notes

The Golden Mile Hillclimb, the latest Round of the Dunlop National Hillclimb/Sprint Challenge, hosted by Donegal Motor Club saw Championship leader Frank Byrnes chalk up two further podium positions. In his F2000 Reynard, the Oranmore, County Galway ...

The Golden Mile Hillclimb, the latest Round of the Dunlop National Hillclimb/Sprint Challenge, hosted by Donegal Motor Club saw Championship leader Frank Byrnes chalk up two further podium positions. In his F2000 Reynard, the Oranmore, County Galway native recorded a brace of third place finishes despite feeling a little apprehensive about the car after the dramatic shunt in the recent Phoenix Park Races. The double victories secured at the famous Oldtown Circuit in Dublin seemed furthest from his mind as he got to grips with the repaired 240 bhp 2.0 litre Vauxhall powered single-seater in this the 5th and penultimate round of the Championship.

Frank was not happy on the first run around the bumpy and fast hillclimb circuit held in the Cardonagh area on the Innishowen Peninsula. He felt that the car‘ bottomed out and also wobbled a bit’ on the resurfaced road which obviously affected his confidence a bit. After the 3rd and final run on Day 1 Frank slotted in at 3rd overall.

Weather conditions remained good going into Day 2 which led to a faster pace. Running soft Avon slick tyres, Byrnes stopped the clocks at 47.23, which was an improvement on the previous day. One of his Championship rivals Karl Cleary (Metro 6R4) notched up two victories on the Golden Mile, but Peter McGinley (F3000 Lant) remains his nearest challenger. Frank must score at least another victory in Rathdrum (County Wicklow) in the final round next month to claim his first National title.