The Punto Abarths paid their first visit of the season to Mondello Park for the May 8/9 meeting, qualifying taking place on Saturday afternoon before two races on Sunday. Setting the pace was John Denning who stopped the clocks on 1m05.938s, a mere .007s ahead of series leader Noel Greene, who was in turn just another fraction ahead of Alastair Kellett. Paul Copeland and Gordon Kellett were next on the grid with Barry McMahon sixth fastest. Nigel Pratt, Barry John McHenry, Arthur McMahon, Gary Miller and Simon Quinn were the last five qualifiers. John later attributed his first ever pole position to Steve Griffin, who pulled his driver into the pits for new slicks in the dying minutes of qualifying!

Race 1

For the two races, the Abarth drivers started behind the Strykers and some 30 seconds later, the tin tops set off with Denning taking up the running from Greene, Alastair Kellett and uncle Gordon, while Simon Quinn grounded himself in the gravel at Dunlop corner. The safety car was deployed but before long racing resumed with Denning again assuming control at the front of the Abarths. Greene and Alastair Kellett were close behind and keeping the pressure on but unable to find a way past Rathfarnham driver Denning, who came home for a superb win after 10 laps. Greene and Alastair Kellett came across the line in a photo finish with Greene just getting the verdict, while Gordon Kellett was a relatively lonely fourth from Gary Miller, who charged through the pack in the early stages. Copeland, after an early strong showing, was right on Barry-John McHenry’s tail over the line with Pratt not far behind this pair. Barry McMahon had a fight to the end with brother, Arthur McMahon for last place.

Race 2

Greene turned the tables on Denning in race two and this time made sure he kept John behind him throughout. It wasn’t quite as close as the first race as Greene managed to pull out a lead of over a second as the 15 lapper continued. Quinn made amends for dumping his Abarth in the kitty litter in the first race by ensuring he had the measure of Alastair Kellett for third place. Meanwhile Copeland was some way behind the leading quartet with Pratt next chased hard by McHenry. Gordon Kellett pipped the McMahons, Barry and Arthur, for the final positions.

With four rounds run Greene leads the series with 68 points, six points clear of Denning. Alastair Kellett is currently third in the championship with 58 points and these three drivers each have a win apiece along with Gary Miller. It’s all to play for as the series moves to Anglesea on July 3rd and 4th.