DOUBLE PODIUM REWARD FROM DIFFICULT WEEKEND
Rounds 5 and 6 of the SEAT Supercup Ireland championship proved a difficult encounter for Niall. Held on the International Circuit configuration of Mondello Park, Quinn Racing were plagued with issues in the electronics of their SEAT Sport Leon Supercopa, and a pair of 3rd place finishes was a welcome result.
Straight into qualifying with no testing, Niall was to discover light suspension damage from an earlier incident. While light enough to escape visual inspection, the handling of the car was compromised, and 4th on the grid was the result.
Race 1 saw Niall make a good start, jumping Barry English off the line to emerge from the first corner in 3rd position. Early in the race Niall showed good pace, passing Jonathan Fildes for 2nd in a last-minute move into turn 4 a few laps into the race. Niall then set about hunting down race leader Robert Butler. The race was interrupted by a lengthy safety car period, after which the electrical issues began to show. Unable to hold the now hard-charging Jonathan Fildes behind, Niall was to settle for 3rd place at the finish.
Lining up in 5th on the reverse grid for race 2, another great start saw Niall emerge from turn 1 in 3rd place once again. This time with Erik Holstein and Rod McGovern ahead. A fight between Holstein and McGovern in Tarzan on lap one was Niall’s chance to pounce. An aggressive blocking move by McGovern resulted in contact, and Niall emerged again in 3rd position, this time with Dave O’Brien ahead. For the next 4 laps Niall tried to no avail to overcome the new-tyre shod SEAT of O’Brien. Again the gremlins were to show up, this time with a drop in Turbo Boost pressure, with Niall bringing a slightly unhealthy Leon home in 3rd place.