What's the news?
Ireland is getting a new motor racing series. The Open Endurance Series, supported by Yokohama, promises to open up racing to a greater number of drivers by providing maximum seat-time and value for money while removing many barriers to entry.
The series will be open to a huge range of closed-wheel cars including saloons, sports cars, Supercup SEATs and GTs, as well as 'sports libre', sports racing and rally cars, which will provide a great deal of excitement for competitors and spectators alike. The classes are: saloon cars up to 2000cc; saloon cars over 2000cc; SEAT Supercup cars; and lastly, Sports, GT and Invitational cars.
Mondello, Kirkistown and Bishopscourt are the three venues and the series will consist of seven rounds on five different track layouts. The rounds are broken down into five 50-minute endurance races as well as two 15-minute sprints. A pit-stop is mandatory in the endurance races and a driver change is allowed, giving competitors the option of a solo or a shared drive. To ensure the speed differential between the fastest and the slowest cars on the grid isn't too wide, drivers must meet a minimum entry time of 1:07:00 on Mondello's National circuit or 1:12:00 at Kirkistown.
In addition to easy entry and an exciting range of cars, the new series offers a sizeable winner's prize fund and ample opportunities in the areas of media, marketing, social media interaction and sponsorship. The longer races will provide an interesting challenge of strategy as well as mental, physical and indeed mechanical endurance.
When is it on?
May 12/13 - Bishopscourt
May 26 - Kirkistown
June 9/10 - Mondello National (reverse)
July 7/8 - Mondello National
August 25 - Kirkistown
September 15/16 - Mondello International
Anything else?
For more information or if you'd like to get involved see openendurance.ie or contact series co-ordinator Rob King at rob@openendurance.ie or call 086 6042184. Those interested in competing can register online on the Open Endurance website.