News Archive » Mondello Park Preview

Wednesday 5th May 2004
Rounds: 3&4
Dates: 8/9 May 2004

After a great start to the season with a victory at Donington, the Scuderia Ecosse team has travelled to Ireland for Rounds 3 and 4 of the British GT Championship at Mondello Park. The #35 Ferrari 360 GTC of Andrew Kirkaldy and Nathan Kinch will carry 30kgs of success ballast in Mondello on top of the usual 25 second penalty applied by the Pro-Am system. The team is still hopeful of a good result on the Emerald Isle though and will pull out all the stops to return to the podium.

Stewart Roden, Scuderia Ecosse Team Principal
“Obviously we want to build on the success we had at Donington but we’re mindful of the fact that we have mistakes to learn from too. The result at Donington was testament to all the hard work that everyone has put in over the past weeks. Now though we have to keep the momentum going and aim to get both cars home with podium finishes.”

Car #35 – Ferrari 360 GTC:

Andrew Kirkaldy
“Mondello is a great circuit and I believe I still hold the lap record there from a Formula Opel race in 1998. It’s a technical track which is very narrow and tricky. We’re up against it with our 25 second penalty and 30kgs of success ballast but I’ve high hopes of a good weekend in Ireland.”

Nathan Kinch
“I’ve tested at Mondello but not raced there but I can see what a tight fit it will be for the GT grid. Mondello should be more of a level playing field than Donington though as it isn’t used for testing as much. The track will suit the Ferraris as they are strong where there are lots of changes of direction but I do think the Porsches will go well here too. Qualifying will be important as it’s hard to pass and I think traffic will be the decider this weekend.”

Car #34 – Ferrari 360 GT:

Tim Mullen
“This is a fun circuit, really tight and twisty, and it’s great to drive here in a GT car. There’s always a lively atmosphere at Mondello and it’ll be good to have the home support. At Donington we were unlucky in the second race as we could have been on the podium there. We have every chance of a podium finish at Mondello and that’s what we’re gunning for.”

Chris Niarchos
“Mondello is a very tight and bumpy track and it’s going to be pretty crowded with 30 GT cars running on it. Most of the lap is made up of low to mid-speed corners and there is only one fast, sweeping bend in the whole lap. There are a few passing points but it will be difficult so a good qualifying position is vital here. The race is going to be interesting as the hairpin at the end of the straight is only wide enough for one car to go through at a time! If the conditions are good the circuit will suit us as the Ferraris are very nimble but if the rain comes the advantage will switch to the Porsches who seem to be able to put down a lot of power in the wet. It should be a fun weekend.”

ENDS

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