Stickers

I am trying out a new venture along with http://www.precisiontints.ie/s with plans to setup motorsport memorabilia in the next few weeks. 

With the season on hold for the time being, here is a chance to purchase a sticker for the toolbox, car, truck, van or the bedroom window like many a young racing fan had in years gone by. It is also a chance to help promote your class on trips to races or even in everyday traffic. 

This is the first phase of the venture, a 7 x 5 size sticker  with future plans of mugs, t-shirts and other items to choose from. They are €2.50 and if you would like any feel free to contact me

Ciaran Denvir 2019 www.techit.ie ITCC Champion

2019 ITCC Champion Ciaran Denvir with his self built Honda Civic at Mondello Park. Photo: Barry Cregg

History was made at the weekend as a rookie Ciaran Denvir took the 2019 ITCC Championship and not only that he also was the first man from the North of Ireland to take a race win in the series as well. 2019 has been a fantastic year for who hails from Downpatrick in county Down. From the first race meeting in Kirkistown back in March he has been on the podium in all races and winning five. With that kind of consistency it would have been a tall order for anyone else to take the title away from him. Stephen Potter ran him close in a pretty much identical car, but as it has turned out the mechanical problems in round four cost him dearly.

Working as a mechanic Ciaran like all clubman racers does his racing on a shoestring budget, but after his success in the early part of the season he managed to pick up sponsorship from Lonestar Pizza who supplied him with a couple of sets of tyres. He is only in his first full season of racing after never fully committing to a championship before.

" I only ever did a few meetings here and there up home but I decided to give this year a good go and do the full year."

His mechanical skills also match his driving, as he built and prepared his car himself including the engine and the newest modification since the last meeting - power steering!

" The car has never missed a beat all year and I have done all the work myself as I couldn't afford to pay someone to do it, but after the last race in Mondello I had to put power steering into it, as after a couple of last my arms were hanging off me!"

2019 ITCC Champion Ciaran Denvir with his self built Honda Civic at Mondello Park. Photo: Barry Cregg

His first visit to Mondello Park last time out impressed him immensely and came away loving the circuit. " I love Mondello it's such a good circuit with it's undulations and technical parts thrown in too."

Ciaran Denvir, Honda Civic, on his way to winning round one in Kirkistown back in March. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Ciaran Denvir, Honda Civic, takes the chequered flag for the second time at the opening race weekend in March. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Ciaran Denvir, Honda Civic, leads Keith Campbell, VW Corrado, on his way to winning round three at Bishopscourt in May. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Ciaran Denvir, Honda Civic, leads the fields on his way to winning round three at Bishopscourt in May. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Ciaran Denvir, Honda Civic, in action during round nine at Mondello Park in September. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Ciaran Denvir, Honda Civic, in action during round nine at Mondello Park in September. Photo: Barry Cregg.

The series has been a success with great racing throughout the classes at all tracks during the year. It has at times like all classes in racing, fallen short in numbers at times so what is it like for the drivers?

" I'd love to have more people to race against in my class and the cars are out there just lying in sheds. The regs are spot on and I know the costs involved but they should still try and get out for a few races." It is not easy to get out all the time but with it being a five weekend series it surely is doable to some degree.
It is very expensive coming down here with the entry fee being a lot more than in Kirkistown or Bishopscourt and then the traveling cost etc but its expensive for the southern guys coming up north too, but I think there needs something to be done in that regard for next year."

2019 ITCC Champion Ciaran Denvir with his self built Honda Civic at Mondello Park. Photo: Barry Cregg

Now that the season is over and people have loaded up the trailers, vans and trucks for the last time, it will be a few weeks before decisions are being made for next season, so will Ciaran be back to defend his title?

"I'll do the first couple of rounds and if I get a good start like I did this year and also if more come out to race I'll probably do the full season but who knows."

It's been a great year for him, and I am sure that more will be out next year as they will have the whole winter to get their cars ready and hopefully ITCC 2020 will be even better than this year.

2019 ITCC Champion Ciaran Denvir with his self built Honda Civic at Mondello Park. Photo: Barry Cregg

Glory for Denvir, Campbell and Faherty at www.techit.ie ITCC Rounds 8 and 9

Keith Campbell holds up the Dunboyne Trophy after winning ITCC race two at the Leinster Trophy races. Leinster Trophy Races, Mondello Park, Co. Kildare.

Going into this weekend's Leinster Trophy meeting only two men could win this years www.techit.ie ITCC championship. Both county Down men Ciaran Denvir and Stephen Potter, were new to the grid this year having only raced in the Northern Ireland championship in the past. It was Denvir who needed to try and get ahead of his county man as Potter won at Mondello Park last time out. Indeed he did that by claiming pole position over Keith Campbell who won the races outright at Mondello Park by 0.881 of a second. Potter was back in third 1.3 seconds off Denvir. He would have to find some time up in race one of the weekend if he was to threaten for the lead.

Ciaran Denvir in action during qualifying where he claimed pole position. Leinster Trophy Races, Mondello Park, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

It wouldn't all be plain sailing for any of the ITCC drivers as they were mixed in with the Irish Supercars, Seats and Closed Wheeled Libre classes. So getting through the pack could cause problems during the race.

It was Keith Campbell in his Volkswagen Corrado who made the best start and grabbed the lead going into turn one, with Denvir behind. Robert Savage continued his run of good form by taking up third position and having a race long battle with Gareth Hayden in fourth.

Stephen Potter however, got caught up in between  the Irish Supercars and dropped down to fifth in ITCC, not what he wanted. Then by lap four Denvir made his move and got past Campbell but in doing so it was under yellows flags and subsequently the results are provisional. Once past he broke clear and won by 3.8 seconds with Savage in third. Although Potter finished fifth on the road he took second place points in the 'A' class but it would not be enough as his fellow Honda man took the championship and deservedly so as he was the benchmark for others all year. With the 'B' Championship already decided at the last round the only other class to be decided was class 'C' between Tony Gallagher and Daniel Faherty. Gallagher made the best start and managed to gap Faherty as the mixed with the supercars. By the time Faherty got through the gap was too big to close down leaving the final race of the year to decide the championship.

Keith Campbell, VW Corrado, leads the field on the exit of turn two during ITCC race one. Leinster Trophy Races, Mondello Park, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Organisers decided to separate the starts between classes for race two of the weekend and for the spectators it was a good job they did, as it left it a straight fight between all in each class. Ciaran Denvir knew his road tyres were no good for the wet conditions and immediately dropped down the field as the lights went out. Keith Campbell got the wholeshot and lead the field out of turn one from Gareth Hayden, Jay O'Reilly and Robert Savage. With track conditions wet and cool there was not much grip out there and especially on the international loop. This would come into effect later on, before that though these four men began a race long battle to contest itself as one of the best races of the year.

Keith Campbell, VW Corrado, leads, Gareth Hayden, Honda Civic, and Jay O'Reilly, Honda Civic,
during ITCC race two at Mondello Park, Leinster Trophy Races, Mondello Park, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Campbell still lead by lap four but by now Savage had got by Hayden and O'Reilly and was push hard to get into the lead. Hayden had dropped back so it left the front three to battle it out for the lead swapping it several times over the course of the race. Savage made his move again on lap seven going into Parabolica but ran wide and let Campbell through. further on the same lap as they went through Birrane's Bends, O'Reilly went wide on to the grass and let the front two gain a slight advantage. By lap nine Savage was again in the lead and looked to have the measure of Campbell.

Then drama, with a lap to go Campbell ran wide at turn 7a and let Savage get up his inside but as he came back across the track he clipped the front left wheel of Savage's Honda and broke the rim and drive shaft. Just as it looked like Savage would take his maiden win he was denied but showed he is now one of the front men for next year. Campbell had enough of an advantage over Jay O'Reilly to make it home to take the win with Gareth Hayden in third.

Keith Campbell, VW Corrado, leads, Robert Savage, Honda Integra, on his way to winning ITCC race two at Mondello Park, Leinster Trophy Races, Mondello Park, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Robert Savage, Honda Integra, came so close to taking his maiden win during ITCC race two at Mondello Park, Leinster Trophy Races, Mondello Park, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg

In class 'A' having already won the championship Denvir who only had road tyres to use in the wet knew it was pointless trying to go for glory. Potter was in the same boat but do not let this take away from a great drive from Brent Hughes who brought home his Toyota Auris home to take the win. It is a shame he hasn't been out all year as I am sure he would have brought a good fight to the two Honda drivers.

Brent Hughes, Toyota Auris, on his way to winning ITCC race two at Mondello Park, Leinster Trophy Races, Mondello Park, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

In what was to be title decider race for the 'C' championship came to nothing, as heartache for Tony Gallagher struck when his Honda Integra refused to start before race two. It was a shame as it would have been great to see it going down to the final race or maybe even the final corner. In the end it was Daniel Faherty who took the win and the championship and a worthy victor he is too.

Daniel Faherty, Honda Civic, on his way to winning class 'C' during ITCC race two at Mondello Park, Leinster Trophy Races, Mondello Park, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

So that is it for another year some great racing throughout the year in all classes at all tracks which bodes well for 2020. Let's hope more cars line up on the grid and more regular as it is a great series which caters for all budgets. Congratulations to all who won their championships and to all who provided the entertainment during the year.

Results by class:

Race 1

Class A 

1st Ciaran Denvir

2nd Stephen Potter

3rd Brent Hughes

Class B

1st Keith Campbell

2nd Robert Savage

3rd Gareth Hayden

Class C

1st Tony Gallagher

2nd Daniel Faherty

3rd Adrian Dunne

Race 2

Class A 

1st Brent Hughes

2nd Stephen Potter

3rd Ciaran Denvir

Class B

1st Keith Campbell

2nd Jay O'Reilly

3rd Gareth Hayden

Class C

1st Daniel Faherty

2nd Adrian Dunne

ITCC Championship Finale Preview

Ciaran Denvir, Honda Civic, takes the chequered flag at round two at Kirkistown in March. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Looking ahead to next weekend's Leinster Trophy meeting at Mondello Park, it is hard to believe that the final round of the 2019 ITCC championship is upon us. It has been a very quick year ( no pun intended ), and one that has brought close racing throughout the grid up and down the country. It also has seen the emergence of two new northern stars both of whom have dominated at the Kirkistown meetings in March and June.

Ciaran Denvir, Honda Civic, on his way to winning round one at Kirkistown in March. Photo: Barry Cregg.

The ITCC rookies carried their Northern Ireland Saloon Car Championship form over from last year and made others stand up and take notice. Ciaran Denvir's double race win at that first meeting certainly was no fluke, as it was backed up at rounds three and four at Bishopscourt with a win and a second place. Stephen Potter also made the southern drivers lives difficult by taking his second double at Mondello Park in July, as well as finishing on the podium on four out of the five other races. Only for mechanical problems which prevented him starting round four he might have made it five out of five. Keith Campbell has been the only southern driver who has managed to win this year with a great display of driving in his faithful Volkswagen Corrado at the last round in Mondello Park. Maybe his track knowledge helped him somewhat, as it was his northern rivals first visit to the county Kildare track. However we will have to wait and see if this was the case next weekend.

Stephen Potter, Honda Integra, leads Ciaran Denvir, Honda Civic, on his way to winning round five at Kirkistown in June. Photo: Barry Cregg.

While not wanting to tempt faith, each round has been dry which is quite unique for a championship held in Ireland! If it does break and conditions are wet it will certainly help add an extra element to the championship finale. Ciaran Denvir has a twenty-four point lead of fellow Honda driver Stephen Potter, going into next weekend. This is effectively like having one hand on the trophy, but anything can happen in motor racing and bringing it home is not always as easy as it seems. A bad qualifying could lead to being stuck down the pack and increase the chances of getting caught up in somebody else's accident, driver error and also a mechanical fault are all situations that could take turns the table around. Potter finished ahead of Denvir in boths races last time out in Mondello Park, so on paper it looks like he has the edge at the track. If it is a repeat he can only hope that enough people are between him and his fellow county Down man or that something forces Denvir to have a non finish.

Keith Campbell, Volkswagen Corrado, on his way to a double win at Mondello Park at rounds seven and eight in July. Photo: Barry Cregg.

In Class 'B' Keith Campbell has already taken the title after his double race win last time out. In second place Robert Savage who drove so well in round seven still needs a good performance to seal the runners up spot in the championship from Gareth Hayden. While the championship is decided, the battle for second and third is surely one not to miss.

Tony Gallagher, Honda Civic, on his way to winning round one at Kirkistown in March. Photo: Barry Cregg.

In Class 'C' it is even more tight at the top, with only nine points separating the top two men Tony Gallagher and Daniel Faherty, in the championship. Just like Class 'A' the top two are driving Honda cars which highlights the reliability and performance of the Japanese manufacturer. Both men shared the spoils at the opening meeting by taking a win and a second each. It rounds three and four at Bishopscourt in May, it was Faherty who took both wins but Gallagher was there to take the runners up spot in both rounds. For the second visit to Kirkistown, both men took a win away with them but in race two Faherty finished third which gave Gallagher a slight edge in the championship table. At the last round in Mondello Park, Faherty struggled with gearbox problems but managed to take two third places but Gallagher did the double to increase his championship lead. Again anything can happen in the final two races and with the two men closely matched it will be exciting to see who comes out on top in a closely fought year long battle.

Daniel Faherty, Honda Civic, on his way to winning round two at Kirkistown in March. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Campbell Does the Double at the TechIT.ie ITCC Championship Rounds 6 & 7

Keith Cambpell, VW Corrado, double  ITCC race winner. Photo: Barry Cregg.

For rounds six and seven of the TechIT.ie ITCC championship saw competitors race south of the border for the first time this year. So far the series has been dominated by the northern drivers so could it be time for their southern counterparts to buck the trend and capitalize on their knowledge of  Mondello Park?  Also for these rounds they were joined by the Seat Leon championship which added a boost to the grid and an interesting prospect to see if they could mix it with them around the tight confines of the county Kildare circuit. Karl Leonard was also out in his beautiful  Carrera Cup car.

First though the grid positions had to be sorted out, but the two Honda drivers and championship front runners Ciaran Denvir and Stephen Potter would be favourites to head the front row. With the track temperature rising all the time with the warm conditions drivers would have to use their track time wisely to balance putting in their best lap before their tyres would overheat and not get caught up in traffic. As predicted Denvir and Potter both were up the sharp end each topping the timesheets but right on their heels were Keith Campbell and Robert Savage with all four within a second of each other. Nearing the end Keith Campbell put his Volkswagen Corrado on pole leaving the rest with only a short time to beat it. Then in the final stages of the session Denvir put in his flyer in his Honda Civic to grab pole position by 0.009 of a second! So another pole for Denvir to add to his tally this year.

Ciaran Denvir, Honda Civic, in action on his way to pole position during qualifying for the ITCC race. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Speaking to Keith Campbell ahead of the race as apart from the close times it wasn't all good.
"The radiator cap came off going towards turn three and put coolant on the front left wheel so i ended up going off, but thankfully not in a big way and no damage to the car or engine. It will be fine for the race and i have new tyres to put on as well so hopefully they will give me an extra bit of help. Ive made a few changes since Bishopsourt and it's handling a lot better now."

When the lights went out both Denivir and Cambpell away clean but Campbel held his outside line on the exit which gave him the better line for turn two over Denvir. With the Seat Leon's in the mix also even though both classes were on seperate grids, Denvir got push wide by one which allowed Campbel to get ahead. Robert Savage and Stephen Potter began their battle for third with Savage gaining the early advantage. On lap two Denvir ran wide at turn three and ended up on the gravel and dropping himself down to fifth position. This let Campbell off the hook and with the two Honda Integra men of Savage and Potter battling behind all Campbell had to do was keep his lap times consistent for the remainder of the race. The race was not over behind though. Savage kept Potter at bay using all the road and more to keep the county Down man behind. By lap six his Potter broke him and moved into second and once clear started to chase down Campbell. Denvir by now had got into his rhythm and began to push Savage for third and by lap ten made it passed the Meath man. Campbell maintain his advantage to the chequered flag to win by 1.996 seconds over Potter and Denvir in third.

A great return for all the efforts Campbell has put in the last few weeks, smiling afterwards he said, " I got a bad start I got caught up trying to let the handbrake off and lost a bit of ground off the line, but got a good run out towards turn three. Hopefully its more of the same in the second one!"

Denvir was happy to recover to to third, "I got pushed wide going into turn two by one of the Seat's and Keith got by, but the car wouldn't go into fourth gear properly and I dropped more time Then I went off at turn three on lap too and dropped back more but made my way back up to third in the end so I'm happy enough with the result."

Savage too was pleased even though he missed out on the podium, " I was going good at the start but then the fronts started to go off and I dropped by to third and then fourth but that's the way it goes, still good fun!"

Keith Campbell, Volkswagen Corrado, leads Ciaran Denvir, Honda Civic, during ITCC race one. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Robert Savage, Honda Integra, holds off Stpehen Potter, Honda Integra, during ITCC race one. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Keith Campbell, Volkswagen Corrado, lifts the front wheel on his way to winning ITCC race one. Photo: Barry Cregg.

For race two Ciaran Denvir was again on pole position but this time Stephen Potter joined him on the front row. Keith Campbell and Robert Savage followed behind on row two. It was Potter who got the better start in his Honda Integra and beat Denvir into turn one with Campbell slotting into third.
Potter then went to make a break for it but the safety car was deployed on lap three to clear an incident at the final turn.

Stephen Potter, Honda Integra, leads Keith Campbell, VW Carrado, and Ciaran Denvir, Honda Civic, on the opening lap of ITCC race 2. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Once back racing Potter lead the field but there were changes behind him as Campbell put his Volkswagen Carrado ahead of the Honda Civic of Denvir. The top three were all covered by a second and on lap four Campbell took the lead.He began to stretch his lead slightly up to a second as Potter and Denvir began to battle with Denvir taking Potter on lap eleven. It remained the same for the final two laps as all three lapped within a few tenths of each other.

A great final race of the weekend and another good display put on by the ITCC drivers.
They will all have to do it again at the final round of the championship back again to Mondello Park for the big Leinster Trophy race weekend on the 14th & 15th of September.

Keith Cambpell, VW Carrado, leads Stephen Potter, Honda Integra, and Ciaran Denvir, Honda Civic, during ITCC race 2. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Keith Cambpell, VW Carrado, on his way to winning ITCC race 2. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Double ITCC race winner Keith Campbell. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Results By Class:

RACE 1

Class A

1st Stephen Potter
2nd Ciaran Denvir

Class B
1st Keith Campbell
2nd Robert Savage

Class C

1st Tony Gallagher
2nd Alan Donnelly
3rd Daniel Faherty

RACE 2

Class A

1st Stephen Potter
2nd Ciaran Denvir

Class B
1st Keith Campbell
2nd Robert Savage

Class C

1st Tony Gallagher
2nd Alan Donnelly
3rd Daniel Faherty

Inviational Awards Race 1

1st Stephen Traub
2nd Stephen Martin
3rd Mike Dermody

Invitational Awards Race 2

1st Stephen Traub
2nd Stephen Martin
3rd Mike Dermody