The 2018 Patch Tyre Equipment Fiesta Zetec Championship reached its half way point as the championship raced on the reversed Mondello Park National Track today, Saturday June 9th. The budget saloon racing series served up some quality racing with series leader Owen Purcell made to work hard for two wins which have extended his advantage at the head of the field.

Purcell started from pole position for race one and had relative newcomer Colin Murray for company in the early laps. Purcell had to work hard to hold off his less experienced rival but finally began to open a gap at half distance as Murray came under pressure from Darren Lawlor.

At the flag Purcell had built a five second gap and taken fastest lap, to open up an even bigger championship margin over Mark Johnston who could only manage sixth, having started from the back of the grid. Murray held on for his first ever podium, while third place for Lawlor allowed him to close in on Johnston in the championship chase.

With the top six grid positions reversed for race two it was pole sitter William Kellett who took an early lead, ahead of a six car battle over second place. By the end of lap two Purcell had worked his way to the head of the chasing pack while Kellett had pulled out a two and a half second lead. Over the next five laps the championship leader reeled in Kellett and then moved past at half distance. Kellett tagged on to his rear bumper and kept him under pressure all the way to the closing stages, but Purcell had enough to take his second win of the day as Kellett took his best finish of the year so far and regained third in the championship standings.

Behind the leading pair Mark Johnston and Darren Lawlor were nose to tail for the entire race until an excursion for Lawlor on the last lap handed the final podium position to Johnston, allowing him to maintain his hold on second place in the championship over Kellett with Lawlor dropping to fourth.

The Patch Tyre Equipment Fiesta Championship will be back on track on July 7th and 8th when the Mondello Park National Circuit will once again be in use, but this time in the correct direction.

The Patch Tyre Equipment Fiesta Zetec Championship can be followed through the series’ facebook page and on the Mondello Park web site.