Another memorable weekend was had by all at Mondello over the weekend of 24/25 July 1999. In all, 33 teams took part, including a record seven Irish entries.
Improvements for 1999
This year saw further revisions to the facilities at Mondello Park.
Armco replaces the tyre wall and earth bank at the first corner (Toyota), and the gravel trap has been enlarged on its inside. A new catch fence now runs from this corner past the the stand through to the new corners. The last corner (Motofit) has been raised on the outside, and additional gravel laid down.
A new pit lane entrance has been created prior to Motofit. rather than on the main straight, which means that it no longer possible for teams to make last second frantic gestures to cars to come into the pits.
Also, better pit facilities were on hand for the teams, making a welcome change from the 'Sunday Market' pole-and-canvas standard of previous years.
All we need now are some decent toilets and showers!
Charity Entries
Team 28 consisted of three brothers (Garrett, Niall and Emmett Phelan) and Cormac Moore. Back in July 1998, preparations for their fourth 24hr 2CV race were going well and the whole team were geared up for the race. Tragedy struck just three days before the event when father John Phelan died suddenly having suffered a massive heart attack. Because of this, the team aimed to raise as much money for the Irish Heart Foundation
TSSP Racing (Car 29) consisting of team manager Tony Dennison and drivers Paul Goldrick, Paul Bates, Stephen & Barry Mahon, set out to raise funds and awareness of Motor Neurone Disease, from which Tony's father died of in 1996.
Famous Names
Those with autographs books handy should have kept a look out at the track this year. TOCA Fiesta Cup drivers Colin Stancombe and Simon Clarke were participating, along with Marcos Cars founder Jem Marsh and touring car guru Alan Gow.
Also on hand were names like Hans O' Sullivan, Dirk Williams, Adam Oyebanji, Francis Rottenburg, Tom Commander and Sir Aubrey Brocklebank.
Girls on Top
We were treated to two all-girl entries this year. Mondello Park's very own Jacqueline Taylor put together Team Bird Power with Denise & Jennifer Ryan and Nellie Travers, and set out to raise money for charity.
Geoff Archer proudly declared he had the best job in the world acting as team manager for Team Top Tottie, consisting of Zoe Cardell, Margaret Shrimpton, Krissy Duffy and Carolyn Hoy (and yes, she is related to Will Hoy).
Mondello on TV
Mondello Park's own TV production company joined forces with Sky TV to create a half-hour programme on this year's race, going out under the Racing Green banner on Sky Sports 3. The programme was a genuine attempt to cover the event as a race rather than just a novelty, so top marks to all involved.
