Mondello Park
Mondello Park is Ireland's only international motorsport venue located in Caragh, County Kildare off the R409 regional road, approximately 30 miles (48 km) from Dublin city centre.
 Map of the track | |
| Location | Caragh, County Kildare, Ireland |
|---|---|
| Time zone | GMT |
| Coordinates | 53°15′27″N 006°44′42″W |
| FIA Grade | 4 |
| Owner | Birrane family[1] |
| Opened | 1968 |
| Major events | British Superbike Championship British F3 |
| Length | 3.503 km (2.268 mi) |
| Turns | 13 |
| Race lap record | 1:27:61 (Susan Galligan, Galligan Racing Sidecar, 25th of September 1998) |
It is owned by Martin Birrane family, and had been designed by Stuart Cosgrave.
Events
Currently, Irish Car Championship, Rallycross, kart and Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship racing events take place. In the past Mondello Park hosted the Irish round of the British Superbike Championship, British Touring Car Championship, British GT Championship and the British Formula Three Championship. International Pickup Truck Racing, GT and historic car racing events also have taken place.
The biggest Irish circuit racing events, Formula Vee Festival and Leinster Trophy take place in Mondello Park every year. Other recurring motorsport events include drifting championship, Jap-Fest, Ireland's only Japanese car show, Historic Festival, historic car show and racing event. Mondello Park Racing School is on-site. General public car and motorbike circuit track days are organised. A small museum containing a number of rally and track cars from the past 30 or so years is also on-site.
The 2019 motor racing season at Mondello Park consisted of car racing days, 6 rallycross racing days, 7 drift days and 26 motorcycle racing days. Formula Vee Festival took place on 13-14 of July, and Leinster Trophy on 14-15 of September.
In the 2020 motor racing season Mondello Park hosts 16 car racing days, 7 rallycross racing days, 12 drift days and 14 motorbike racing days. It will accommodate the biggest annual Irish motorsport events Formula Vee Festival on 11-12 of July, and Leinster Trophy on 12-13 of September.
The circuit
It was established in 1968. Following investment and development in 1999/2000, the circuit was awarded FIA International status in 2001.
Situated on 110 acres the facility incorporates 3.5 km of race track, 24 race garages and 12 Hospitality Suites. It is host to National and International Race events, Motor Shows, Car & Bike Track days, Training Schools and Corporate Events.
The Circuit also has 3 km of extreme off-road driving trails and a 5-acre off-road activities centre and the Museum of Motorsport.
Lap records
| Record time | Track configuration | Record driver | Record car | Record date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bike | 1:38:604 | International | Jonathan Rea | HM Plant Honda | 17 June 2007 |
| single seater | 1:28.708 | International | Johnny Laursen | Ascari-Judd V10 | 2006 |
All named circuits
“Intermediate Circuit”- “International Circuit”
“National Circuit”
“Short Circuit”
As a variation the “Reverse Circuit” has also been used in National and Rallycross configurations.
Simulation / Video Game
This racetrack appears in the videogames Need For Speed: Pro Street ,GT Legends and TOCA Race Driver 3.
References
- Times, The Sunday (March 24, 2019). "Irish Rich List 2019: profiles 101-150, featuring Conor McGregor and Rory McIlroy" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.