Races in Ireland

Faulknet wins inaugural Fiat Punto Abarth Cup (November 2002)
(courtesy from Fiat Punto Abarth Cup)

Promising young racing driver Richie Faulkner, from Killiney, is the inaugural Fiat Punto Abarth Cup Champion after beating some of Ireland's most experienced saloon car drivers to the title in the country's newest race series.
The former All Ireland Kart Champion clinched the title at Mondello Park on 6th October when he took a win and a second in the final two rounds of the exciting one make series. 
Qualifying on pole for both races, with British Touring Car Championship ace Phil Bennett lining up alongside him in the series 'Guest' car, the 21-year-old took a hard earned victory in Race 1 ahead of professional racer Bennett.
This gave Faulkner a one point lead in the championship over Armagh's Joey Freeburn heading into the final round.  Again starting from pole, the Murray Motorsport driver slotted into second behind Bennett, knowing that all he had to do was finish ahead of Freeburn to claim the title.
With Freeburn in fourth, Faulkner crossed the line in second position to become the first ever Fiat Punto Abarth Cup Champion and claim his maiden racing car title. Rathfarnham's Brian Hade completed the podium in the final round to claim third in the standings in his Steve Griffin prepared example.
After a successful debut season which produced five different winners from six races, the 2003 Fiat Punto Abarth Cup looks set to be even more exciting with 26 of the 165Bhp racers set to line-up on the grid.

1. Richie FAULKNER (Killiney) - 75
2. Joey FREEBURN (Armagh) - 69
3. Brian HADE (Rathfarnham) - 56
4. Gordon KELLETT (Castleknock) - 44
5. Liam DENNING (Rathfarnham) - 40
6. Quentin SMITH (Rathfarnham) - 40

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The Guest cars of Fiat Ireland dealers (November 2002)
(courtesy from Fiat Punto Abarth Cup)

Fiat Ireland are making good use of the championship, and they hope to see if it is having a direct effect on sales. The Punto Sporting is a very popular car in Ireland and more and more modified Puntos are appearing on the roads. 
The pictures shown below are of a few replicas of the championship 'Guest' car which Fiat dealers around the country have on as demos. Fiat are also using the 'Guest' car at all their new dealer openings alongside Schumacher's 2000 Ferrari F1 car.

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New Fiat series given thumbs up in first test (December 2001)

(courtesy from Motorsport Ireland)

The new Fiat Punto Abarth Cup was given a major thumbs up on Friday (14th Dec) when drivers registered for the exciting new one-make championship were invited to test the 1800cc Punto HGT based racer on the International loop at Mondello Park.

Lapping 0.7 seconds quicker than its predecessor, the new racer is expected to be over 2 seconds a lap faster on the full international circuit.

Drivers to test the car, which was being run by Murray Motorsport, included former Fiat Punto Champion Gordon Kellett, current Fiat Uno Champion Brian Hade and 17 year old former Irish Junior Kart Champion Niki Meredith.

Backed by Fiat Auto Ireland, the Fiat Motorsport Club have already received 20 deposits for cars.

Full details of the Fiat Punto Abarth Cup will be announced in the New Year.

Original source: Motorsports Ireland