Mondello Race Series

godtabh

I've never raced before but thinking of doing next season and using the Mondello Race Series as a starting point.

Given my lack of experience would this be a 'safe' environment to start? Or should I be looking else where?

I'm not with a club but was with Orwell. I know that they have a race series that is both on open roads and in Clondalkin. That's a second option.

I'm looking to set some goals for 2016. Am 8 race series sounds very appealing.

Diarmuid

It's safe but a bit intimidating for a beginner. If you are with Orwell, start with the club league not Mondello.

godtabh

Intimidating in what way?

As I said formerly with Orwell but would have not problem doing back

Beasty

Never done Mondello myself, but it's a short circuit and I would have no appetite to do open races there. From what I've seen the bunches are very large. Yes there are no motor vehicles but it would be a daunting place to start with a wide range of abilities, and as with any crit-type race very fast

Club league is a much better introduction to racing, particularly as they will usually be handicapped with small groups in which you can learn the ropes, particularly as you will find yourself racing with the same guys every week, and will learn to trust them. I started with the Swords league with a lot of guys who were posting on here. It gave me a great understanding of how to work in a small group, trying to stay away, so no-one had anywhere to hide, but everyone was of a similar ability and worked well together

godtabh

The Thursday night probably works better. The wife has pilates on Tuesday.

wirelessdude01

Mondello can be very intimidating for some when all the groups combine. Personally I don't like it as I ain't great at cornering in such a large group and at such pace.

Taxuser1

Come and rejoin Orwell. The opening races are split over 2 nights so you'll get a reintroduction with first timers and those coming across from leisure. As you improve you'll get your chance to upgrade bit by bit.

CramCycle

+1 on the club league over Mondello as a starting point.

godtabh

I'e emailed the racing secretary to get more info

RobFowl

Mondello races are handicapped but as a rule come together reasonably quickly. The circuit is fast and twisty and the fields are big. The average speeds are usually north of 40kph as well and towards the end are savage.
You need to be comfortable riding in large bunches at speed and cornering at speed in large bunches as well.
Not really one for beginners.
Try some open A4 ones instead as that might be a better option.
Club races an excellent option IMO, great as races in their own right but also a place you can learn race craft and riding skills.

Consey

St Tiernans another option for you ? They're in the Inter Club League. ICL fantastic intro to racing. I say that as a BW participant this year.

godtabh

Consey wrote: »

St Tiernans another option for you ? They're in the Inter Club League. ICL fantastic intro to racing. I say that as a BW participant this year.

Based in Leopardstown so either or really

Diarmuid

godtabh wrote: »

Intimidating in what way?

Big bunches which stay together, lots of fast corners, wide spread of ability. Add all those up and you don't have a great beginner environment.

nilhg

The first race I ever did was in Mondello, a club league race, I started with the A5s who are basically newbies to racing and those holding a limited comp licence, before the first lap was over someone had badly misjudged a corner and nearly caused a good sized pileup, there were riders all over the place and curses galore.

In fairness it's a good place to learn because you have loads of corners to practice on compared to a normal road circuit in our league but for the same reason when the faster groups make the catch it's a real achievement to hang on the back once the concertina effect through the bends starts to happen, our first flying lap in the race was at 35km/hr, the last one was at 40.1km/hr, I don't think I got my breath back till the next day.

I think some of the Dublin leagues use Mondello so I'd say to anyone who gets the opportunity to give it a go.

Harrybelafonte

Diarmuid wrote: »

Big bunches which stay together, lots of fast corners, wide spread of ability. Add all those up and you don't have a great beginner environment.

And the occasional oily corner

dragratchet

+1 on the ICL

i was bricking it for the first race and after about 2/3 had a good feel for it and moved into open racing etc. now i'm a drooling addict counting down the days till next season