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IMPROVEMENTS AT MONDELLO PARK |
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Wednesday, 14 February 2007 |
IMPROVEMENTS AT MONDELLO PARK
Mondello Park’s on-going
development works continue apace as the Kildare circuit prepares for
another exciting circuit racing season in 2007. Upgrading work is
currently underway on the drainage systems with some resurfacing also
on the list.
The drainage upgrade has been prompted by the
cancellation of Mondello Park’s British Superbike round last May, due
to unprecedented levels of rainfall. There was a general acceptance at
that time that no race track could have handled the deluge and still
provided a circuit safe for motorcycle racing. Furthermore, virtually
every other sporting event in Ireland was either cancelled, abandoned
or where possible postponed. Nonetheless, Mondello Park’s management
are determined to do all they can to prevent a recurrence at any time
in the future.
Managing Director John Morris explained: “When
the event was cancelled last year, we made a commitment to look at
every aspect of the venue, to see if we could do anything differently
in the future. We undertook a full review of the circuit’s drainage
system and identified areas where we felt we could extend, re-route or
install additional drainage, which should help dissipate water from the
track surface more efficiently than before.”
The drainage system
upgrade is currently ahead of schedule and has also seen moling under
the track at strategic points to alleviate the possibility of water
running across the circuit. Along with improving conditions for
competitors, the hospitality area used for BSB and BTCC events is also
to have a new drainage system installed. Morris again explains: “The
lower part of the BSB hospitality paddock was particularly badly
affected last year but our engineers have identified a way to drain
this area into one of the outlet pipes taking water off circuit and
we’re confident this solution will be completely successful.”
Mondello
Park is also planning some more resurfacing for late March, just in
time for the recommencement of circuit racing activities. In addition,
spectators will also see an improvement in facilities around the main
straight grandstand, where any soft margins have been replaced by
tarmac and there will be some improvement work carried out in the main
bike and car parks before this years feature events.
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