A WEEKEND TO FORGET AT MONDELLO PARK FOR TEAM EMCO

Team Emco made the trip over to the tight and twisty Mondello Park in Southern Ireland, knowing that team rider; Neil Faulkner had never ridden the track. It was always going to be a tough weekend, but Faulkner learned circuits quickly and the team had set their goal on just qualifying for the race.

With the round having been cancelled the year before due to flooding, the circuit owners had done a great job with new drainage and resurfacing work to smooth out the bumpy tarmac.
Faulkner walked the circuit with a local track specialist on Thursday (thanks Roddy!) and after he appeared much happier. With both Friday and Saturday very wet, he had the un-enviable task of learning the circuit on full wets. It may have been a blessing in disguise however as Faulkner finished each practice session in front of some experienced privateers.

Qualifying announced the return of the team’s bad luck. The number one bike, refused to rev and the number two bike, had first a handlebar grip come off and then the gear linkage snap. This coupled with a tyre changing problem; meant Faulkner only managed four laps. In the wet, that was a disaster! Fortunately Faulkner still qualified, but again, last on the grid when it looked as if he would be much higher. Race day dawned dry and warm up was on slicks with a drying track. With the number one bikes problems fixed, Faulkner was looking to get some last minute dry weather testing. read more >>