Irish Fiat Punto Abarth Cup 2003

All the rounds here:

Round 1: Kirkistown (April 5th 2003)

click here for the pictures of the race
click here for the pictures of the shakedowns

INTERNATIONAL RALLY CHAMPION TO MAKE RACE DEBUT IN FIAT PUNTO ABARTH CUP (31st March 2003)
Andrew Nesbitt to drive 'Guest' car at Kirkistown opener

Reigning Irish International Rally Champion Andrew Nesbitt will make his motor racing debut this Saturday (5th April) when he competes in the opening round of the exciting Fiat Punto Abarth Cup at Kirkistown. The winner of three back to back Irish Tarmac Rally Championship titles, the Armagh ace will drive the Blaupunkt backed 'Guest' car at the Co. Down circuit.

Best known for setting fastest stage times at the wheel of a World Rally Car in Ireland's International rally championship, the Motorsport Ireland 'International Driver of the Year' will find the outing quite different to rallying but is looking forward to his race debut. "Racing is totally different to what I am used to in motorsport. Having 22 other cars around me is sure to be interesting." he said. "I don't expect to finish on the podium no more than Richie Faulkner would expect to be on the pace if he was making his debut in a World Rally Car. The plan is to go out and enjoy the experience."

Ireland's newest race series, the 2003 Fiat Punto Abarth Cup will see all the front runners return for action including inaugural champion Richie Faulkner. Driving for the Murray Motorsport team, the Killiney young gun is aiming to retain his title and he showed he means business when he set the fastest time during official testing recently.

Faulkner faces tough opposition in what looks set to be one of the closest saloon car championships ever seen in Irish motorsport. Joey Freeburn (Armagh), Brian Hade (Rathfarnham), Gordon Kellett (Castleknock), Liam Denning (Rathfarnham), Quentin Smith (Rathfarnham) and Dave Maguire (Rathfarnham) will all push the 21-year-old for victory, while series newcomers Bob Copeland (Drumree), reigning Uno Champion Barry Rabbitt (Dunsaughlin) and racing returnee Greg Conway (Tallaght) will be determined to make their mark.

Introduced at the end of the 2002 season, the Fiat Punto Abarth Cup is Ireland's only manufacturer backed racing championship. With all 26 of the 170bhp Dunlop shod 'pocket rockets' sold, racing in the 13 round series is set to be close and exciting.

2003 Fiat Punto Abarth Cup Entry List

  • 1. Richie Faulkner (Killiney) - Murray Motorsport
  • 2. Joey Freeburn (Armagh) - Steve Griffin Motorsport
  • 3. Brian Hade (Rathfarnham) - Steve Griffin Motorsport
  • 4. Gordon Kellett (Castleknock) - Murray Motorsport
  • 5. Liam Denning (Rathfarnham) - Steve Griffin Motorsport
  • 6. Quentin Smith (Rathfarnham) - AMF Motorsport
  • 7. Dave Maguire (Rathfarnham) - Steve Griffin Motorsport
  • 8. Bill Griffin (Clondalkin) - Steve Griffin Motorsport
  • 9. Paul Molloy (Rathfarnham) - Murray Motorsport
  • 10. Pat Callanan (Galway) - To be Confirmed
  • 11. Noel Greene (Rathfarnham) - Ronnie Griffin Motorsport
  • 12. Alison Lawford (Rathfarnham) - Murray Motorsport
  • 14. Brendan Fitzgerald (Lucan) - Stealth Motorsport
  • 15. Niki Meredith (Clondalkin) - Samsport
  • 16. Kieran Sands (Drogheda) - Sean Woods Racing
  • 17. Clive Pratt (Carlow) - Pratt Motorsport
  • 18. Nigel Pratt (Carlow) - Pratt Motorsport
  • 19. Bob Copeland (Drumree) - Murray Motorsport
  • 20. Greg Turley (Terenure) - Steve Griffin Motorsport
  • 21. Matt Dunne (Artane) - Ronnie Griffin Motorsport
  • 22. To be Confirmed - Murray Motorsport
  • 23. To be Confirmed - Samsport
  • 24. Greg Conway (Tallaght) - Team Rathdown Motors
  • 25. Barry Rabbitt (Dunsaughlin) - Point 5 Motorsport
  • 26. Andrew Nesbitt (Armagh) - AMF Motorsport
  • 27. Leo Nulty (Clane) - BT Racing

SMITH CLAIMS POLE BUT DENNING TAKES OPENING VICTORY

The opening round of the 2003 Fiat Punto Abarth Cup took place at Kirkistown on Saturday (5th April) with Quentin Smith (Rathfarnham) starting from pole but in the race it was main rival Liam Denning (Rathfarnham) who took the win.
Starting alongside Smith on the front row of the grid, Denning got the jump on the AMF Motorsport driver taking the lead on the high speed run down to the first corner. With Denning in front, the pair quickly opened up a gap over Brian Hade (Rathfarnham) who came home third to make it an all Rathfarnham podium.
Establishing the lap record for the championship with fastest lap of the race, Smith made a late challenge for victory in the 12 lap encounter but Denning managed to hold him off on the final run to the chequered flag.
Finishing fourth Gordon Kellett (Castleknock) was best of the Murray Motorsport drivers ahead of top newcomer Bob Copeland (Drumree) with Bill Griffin (Clondalkin) rounding off the top six.
For reigning champion Richie Faulkner (Killiney) the event did not produce the best of results for his title defence. Starting from third spot on the grid, the 21-year-old could only manage seventh in the race ahead of Dave Maguire (Rathfarnham), Niki Meredith (Clondalkin) and Nigel Pratt (Carlow).
Making his circuit racing debut in the Blaupunkt 'Guest' car, Irish Rally Champion Andrew Nesbitt (Armagh) proved entertaining to watch with his side ways driving style on the Co. Down circuit. Qualifying 21st on the grid, the Armagh rally ace drove a blistering opening lap making up 10 places. A terrific battle with series newcomer Karl Leonard (Naas) followed but unfortunately Andrew's spectacular kerb hopping through the chicane eventually damaged the car and he was forced to retire on the tenth lap.

After a strong opening round, the Fiat Punto Abarth Cup moves to Mondello Park on Easter weekend (20/21 April) when competitors race on the international circuit as support to the opening round of the British Touring Car Championship.

Race Result (12 laps)

1. Liam DENNING (Steve Griffin Motorsport) - 14m 02.15s (77.55mph)
2. Quentin SMITH (AMF Motorsport) - 14m 02.49
3. Brian HADE (Steve Griffin Motorsport) - 14m 07.80
4. Gordon KELLETT (Murray Motorsport) - 14m 08.67
5. Bob COPELAND (Murray Motorsport) - 14m 10.54
6. Bill GRIFFIN (Steve Griffin Motorsport) - 14m 12.30
7. Richie FAULKNER (Murray Motorsport) - 14m 12.73
8. Dave MAGUIRE (Steve Griffin Motorsport) - 14m 13.69
9. Niki MEREDITH (Samsport) - 14m 17.46
10.Nigel PRATT (Pratt Motorsport) - 14m 24.09

Fastest lap: Smith 1m 09.15s (78.71mph) record

Championship Standings after Round 1 of 13

1. Liam DENNING (Rathfarnham) - 15
2. Quentin SMITH (Rathfarnham) - 14
3. Brian HADE (Rathfarnham) - 10
4. Gordon KELLETT (Castleknock) - 8
5. Bob COPELAND (Drumree) - 6
6. Billy GRIFFIN (Clondalkin) - 5
7. Richie FAULKNER (Killiney) - 4
8. Dave MAGUIRE (Rathfarnham) - 3
9. Niki MEREDITH (Clondalkin) - 2
10. Nigel PRATT (Carlow) - 1

click here for the pictures of the race
click here for the pictures of the shakedowns

FACELIFTED PUNTO MK3 DEBUTS AT MONDELLO PARK

The Irish Fiat Punto Abarth Cup Championship leader Liam Denning (Rathfarnham) debuted Fiat's new facelift Punto in the final two rounds of the 2003 series at Mondello Park on September 14.   The Steve Griffin Motorsport prepared car features new front and rear end styling. 22 points clear of second placed Karl Leonard (Naas), Denning's new car also features a radicial new colour scheme thanks to sponsors Dupont car paints.


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Liam Denning is Abarth champion

Liam Denning is the 2003 Fiat Punto Abarth Cup Champion beating Karl Leonard to the title in dramatic fashion during the season finale at Mondello Park on September 14.
Entering the event 22 points clear of Leonard, Denning made a huge error in Race 1 when on lap seven he went off at Dunlop corner and out of the race. With Leonard taking the win from pole position, the gap was reduced to six points entering the final round. Starting from last (24th) Denning had it all to do with Leonard lining up in 16 places ahead of him on the grid.
A blistering start from Denning launched him up to seventh at the end of lap 1 right behind title rival Leonard, a position good enough for the Steve Griffin Motorsport driver to secure the title.
Holding third Dave Maguire found himself forced onto the grass. Managing to get back on track the incident had damaged the the sump on his car which was laying oil down on the track. This would cause a dramatic finish to the title battle.
Entering the first corner, Leonard slid wide on the oil allowing Denning down his inside. Trying to defend his position Leonard come back across on Denning and the two clashed causing the Leonard to spin.
Up front Bob Copeland took the win from Bill Griffin to become only the third different winner of the season while Denning and Leonard recovered to finish 6th and 8th respectively.
Following the race and much video evidence, officials put Dening back two places for his clash with Leonard but this had no effect on the outcome of the title as the Rathfarnham driver was crowned 2003 Fiat Punto Abarth Cup Champion by a margin of five points.

Feature Race (15 laps)

    1. Bob Copeland - Murray Motorsport - No times available
  1. 2. Bill Griffin - Steve Griffin Motorsport
  2. 3. Joey Freeburn - Vehicle Glass Racing
  3. 4. Gordon Kellett - Murray Motorsport
  4. 5. Brian Hade - Steve Griffin Motorsport
  5. 6. Clive Pratt - Pratt Motorsport
  6. 7. Karl Leonard - Murray Motorsport
  7. 8. Liam Denning - Steve Griffin Motorsport

Sprint Race (12 laps)

  1. 1. Karl Leonard - Murray Motorsport - 13:20.31 (62.62mph)
  2. 2. Quentin Smith - AMF motorsport - 13:21.50
  3. 3. Gordon Kellett - Murray Motorsport - 13:24.87
  4. 4. Bob Copeland - Murray Motorsport - 13:26.66
  5. 5. Joey Freeburn - Vehicle Glass Racing - 13:27.56
  6. 6. Dave Maguire - Steve Griffin Motorsport - 13:34.28
  7. 7. Bill Griffin - Steve Griffin Motorsport - 13:35.55
  8. 8. Brian Hade - Steve Griffin Motorsport - 13:39.73

2003 Final Championship Standings

  1. 1. Liam Denning (Rathfarnham) - 140
  2. 2. Karl Leonard (Naas) - 135
  3. 3. Quentin Smith (Rathfarnham) - 89
  4. 4. Joey Freeburn (Armagh) - 89
  5. 5. Bob Copeland (Drumree) - 86
  6. 6. Gordon Kellett (Castleknock) - 83
  7. 7. Bill Griffin (Clondalkin) - 70
  8. 8. Brian Hade (Rathfarnham) - 33
  9. 9. Nigel Pratt (Carlow) - 26
  10. 10.Clive Pratt (Carlow) - 22


Denning no.1
Denning no.2