It's almost time for the 2013 Mondello Park Jap-Fest as the County Kildare circuit prepares itself for the biggest Modified Car show of the year, writes Fergus Brennan. The annual festival of Japanese Motoring and Motorsport takes place on Sunday September 8th with support from Monster Energy and a line-up headed by Ireland’s premier Drifting Championship.
While the 2013 Irish Drift Championship decider will be the main attraction at the show there will be much more going on both on and off the track. The show will also feature the final round of the 2013 Irish Time-Attack Series, Car and Motorcycle stunts, Ireland's most impressive Modified Japanese Motors, a show and Shine competition supported by Autoglym and a massive trade area.
The Drifting action will begin on Saturday with the finale of the Semi-Pro series where drivers will compete for their own awards as well as the chance to enter into Sunday's Pro championship qualifying. Following qualifying the top sixteen drivers will go on to fight it out in the side by side battles which will decide the 2013 Irish Drift Champion. The Drift action will take place throughout the day, alternating on track with the Time-Attack and stunt action.
The Irish Time-Attack series will be the main supporting event for the Drift Action. The seventh and final round of the series will see drivers tackle the Mondello Park National Track, in the 'wrong' direction. This will spice up the action for the final event of the season and will give a very different viewing experience for spectators watching from the Grandstand, who will witness the drivers tackle turn two at much greater speeds than normal.
In between the competitive events the show organisers have lined up some spectacular stunt action with the return of legendary stunt driver Terry Grant who as always will have some new tricks up his sleeves to ensure event those who have seen his act before will be well entertained. Fresh from a starring role at the Mondello Truck Show the Stunt Ireland Motorcycle Stunt Team will return to perform at Jap-Fest. This spectacular show is improving all the time and will include the first demonstration of Motorcycle Drifting seen in Ireland.
Visitors to Jap-Fest should make sure they set aside time to visit the display and trade areas at the show. Here they will find a fantastic selection of Japanese cars of all vintages and styles. Many of these cars will be taking part in the Show 'n' Shine competition which will be judged by Car Care experts Autoglym, who will also provide the prizes for this section of the show. Autoglym will be just one of a huge number of trade and retail suppliers who will be present at the show and this area will be well worth a visit. The paddock will also house the Drift and Time-Attack cars giving show visitors a chance to get a closer look at these highly tuned machines.
Tickets for the 2013 Jap-Fest are now available from the Mondello Park web site and anyone buying a ticket in advance will receive a free grandstand seat worth €5 with every ticket purchased.
Further information on Jap-Fest is available at www.mondellopark.ie/japfest, while tickets can be purchased on-line, or through the Mondello Park office.