O'Brien Motorsport

26/01/2024

Mondello Park are pleased to announce details of the 2024 Junior Mini Scholarship, where one budding racing driver will win a fully funded season in the Patch Tyre Equipment 2024 Junior Mini Challenge. The Challenge will be an integral part of the ICCR package and the winner can look forward to unrivalled exposure to fans, media and sponsors throughout their maiden year in car racing.


This fantastic prizes available to applicants include:

• Use of a Mini Cooper race car for the 2024 season
• Entry fees for the whole season
• Free Motorsport Ireland Licence test at Mondello Park
• Fees paid for Mondello Park ICCR test days
There will also be prizes for the 2nd & 3rd place finishers in the scholarship. The runner-up will receive entry fees for the whole season if they compete in the championship. The third-place driver will receive fees paid for the Mondello Park ICCR test days for the 2024 season if they compete in the championship.
Tap here for Junior Scholarship Application
Date & Venue
The competition is due to take place at Mondello Park on 23rd February 2024 at the end of which the winner will be announced.

Entry for the Junior MINI Challenge Scholarship is not open to drivers who have previously competed in the MINI Junior Championship.

Day Format
Each participant will complete three assessments on the day including media, Sims driving and a driving assessment with an instructor.

Media
Presenting yourself professionally to the media is an essential skill at all levels of motorsport. The ICCR Mini Challenge will be heavily promoted across all media channels and drivers are often interviewed straight after the race when the adrenaline is pumping, so being able to communicate well and in a likeable but professional manner is a necessary trait.

Driving
Driving is the main part of the assessment for the Scholarship, holding 60% of the weighting. It is advised that drivers prepare for the driving assessment adequately to give themselves the best possible chance of progressing through the competition. As a minimum, drivers should be able to use a car with a clutch prior to arrival.

All Participants will have a track session alongside a professional instructor in the Mondello Park Mazda 3 cars, during which they will be assessed on the following areas and not solely on lap time:

• Ability to drive safely at speed
• Car control skills
• Ability to change gear
• Willingness to learn from the instructor
• Progression through the sessions

Sims
Based in Mondello Park’s Sim Thrill room, applicants will compete in a virtual competition to demonstrate their racing prowess against each other.

Do I need to have my own race kit and racing car?
No. Drivers who do not own their own kit should wear a long-sleeved top, trousers and suitable footwear. Mondello Park will have a limited number of helmets available on the day to borrow. All the cars are provided as part of the competition.

Do I need to have a race licence to take part in the Scholarship?
No. There are no specific licence requirements to take part in the Scholarship.

Do I need to have any specific experience to take part?

No. Competitors are not required to have any specific experience in any form of racing. We do recommend that successful applicants have at least had practice driving a car with a clutch.

Drivers must be a minimum of 14 years of age prior to or on the day of competing in their first Championship round. Competitors who reach the age of 17 during the racing season may continue to take part in all rounds of the championship for that year.

What happens if the Scholarship is oversubscribed?
With such a fantastic prize available to the winner, Mondello Park envisage that they will receive a huge amount of applications. With the limited time available to assess an applicant on the day the organisers will if required shortlist candidates on the day. So please be aware that your application does not give you an automatic right to attend on the day. Mondello Park will advise all applicants if they have been selected or not for the assessment day.

UPDATE: The IT guys are working on the booking system, which seems to have a few glitches. Once it’s fixed- we will update this post - and post again too.

19/01/2024

O’Brien Motorsport and in particular Kian had a great 2023 season.
A nominee for motorsport Ireland young driver of the year.
Third place in the Coffee To Go Fiesta ST championship.
Winner of the Kirkistown Mini Cup and what an honour it was at the recent Kirkistown awards night to receive the Sean Woods Racing Memorial Cup. On the night the cup was presented by Sean’s wife Siobhan who carried out Sean’s wish to organise a cup for the winner of the Mini class. It’s one that will always be treasured in the O’Brien household and we’ll do our best this year and future years to keep SWR and Dromiskin on the grid to make him proud.

12/12/2023

We have an exclusive Patch Tyre Equipment ICCR Junior MINI Challenge test and Information Day this Friday at Mondello Park. Thanks to support from Patch and Mondello Park, this test is free of charge for registered drivers. The test will run on the National Circuit from 11:30am to 3pm.
If you are interested in racing with us on 2024, then drop in and say hi- we will show you around a car and explain what you need to do to get on the grid.

Note- Junior drivers and Junior MINIs only on track. for more information contact [email protected]

Irish Championship Circuit Racing | Leo Nulty Promotions | Motorsport Ireland

04/09/2023

The Patch tyre Equipment Junior MINI Challenge made its first foray outside Mondello Park recently, as the 120 bhp MINIs visited the high speed Kirkistown circuit on the Ards peninsula in Norther…

22/08/2023

We are heading North this weekend for rounds five and six of the Patch Tyre Equipment ICCR Junior MINI Challenge. Our destination is the high speed Kirkistown Circuit on the Ards peninsula. This is the first time the series has raced outside Mondello Park and the former airfield circuit should really allow the 120bhp cars to stretch their legs.
Bobbyjoe Mcfall leads the championship in the Mondello Park scholarship car but Holly Dunnion in second has been flying lately and will be keen to rack up her first win. Adam McNamara has been steadily improving and has climbed to third int he standings, just ahead of round one and two winner Reuben Kernohan, who missed the last race meeting. Darcey Kilfeather made major steps forward at the last Mondello meeting and should be able to carry this form forward. Logan Hoey was the talk of the paddock at the July Irish Championship Circuit Racing meeting, running right at the front on his debut and he surely won't be far away again this time round.
Two newcomers join us this weekend too. The third generation of the Fildes family, Jack Fildes makes his race debut, alongside his father Jonathan, who competes in Formula BOSS Ireland. Kyle Irvine from Carrickfergus also makes his class debut and should be one to watch.
Predict a winner if you're brave- we certainly can't!

500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland Ltd. | O'Brien Motorsport | Motorsport Ireland

15/02/2023

This would be a good car for the class
2005 Mini - Race Ready

Fully race ready Mini - turn the key and race. Built during 2022 by O'Brien Motorsport and raced for 1 full season with podium finishes in all races and...

08/01/2023

13/08/2022

Junior Mini display here at Mondello Park Historic Festival. Call in and have a look 🏁🏁🏁

01/08/2022

31/07/2022

22/07/2022

Passing of a Champion - Paddy Hopkirk MBE

It is with heavy hearts that we are sharing the news with you that our very dear friend Paddy Hopkirk MBE passed away on Thursday evening.

Paddy was a fantastic friend to all of us here at Mini Sport, but so much more than that, he was a part of our Mini family. We would like to extend a special thank you to Paddy for everything that he has done throughout his illustrious career, both for Mini Sport & the Mini itself… Paddy achieved the impossible, he cemented the Mini in history & will be forever known as one of the greatest motorsport heroes of all time. He will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

We would like to send Jenny, Katie, Patrick & William, all of Paddy’s family & loved ones our deepest condolences at this tragic time. We’re keeping you in our thoughts.

Rest in Peace Paddy.

- Chris Harper & the Mini Sport Team.

19/07/2022