Denning wraps up tough season in style

Rathfarnham’s Alex Denning wrapped up his racing season with two podium finishes

Mon, 16 Oct, 2023 - 06:38

Martin Walsh

Motorsport

In what has been a difficult year, Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year award winner Rathfarnham’s Alex Denning wrapped up his racing season in the GT4 European Series powered by RAFA Racing Club series with two podium finishes in the final race weekend in Barcelona that supported the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe 3-Hour endurance race.

While the previous five race weekends didn’t go his way, the double podium in Barcelona has reaffirmed his desire to become a factory driver with McLaren in 2025.

Racing with Elite Motorsport in McLaren's new Artura GT4 car along with his team mate Jack Mitchell from Kent, they qualified P3 for both races. “Yes, it’s been such a difficult season, but I have never given up. This result genuinely means so much to me and has certainly raised a few eyebrows for next season.”

Earlier this year the Dubliner qualified P2 out of some 120 drivers for round three in Spa but unfortunately, wet conditions on raceday didn’t suit the team.

Dovetailing driver coaching with his racing career, Denning is set to continue with Elite Motorsport next season and although nothing is confirmed as of now, he is also very keen to retain his commercial sponsors, some of whom were in Barcelona for the season finale.

“By 2025 I want to be a full-time McLaren factory driver. I definitely think the weekend in Barcelona has put me on their (McLaren) radar.”

After the race he said, “I want to thank all at Elite Motorsport for a mega car all weekend, to McLaren Customer Racing for their excellent support and to my wonderful network of corporate partners for their continued trust and support all throughout this year.”

Meanwhile, a very competitive Cork Startrek Navigation Trial, the opening round of both the Motorsport Ireland National and the Munster series, was ultimately decided on a tie-break after three crews finished with five penalties at the end of the 85-mile route that was based in Araglin. The deciding factor was which crew traversed the route furthest without incurring penalties, with Monaghan’s Derek Mackarel and Bruff’s Greg Shinnors (Subaru Impreza) taking the laurels. The Subaru Impreza of Dunshaughlin’s Alan Shinnors and Drinagh’s Denis O’Donovan (the defending champion navigator) were second with Monaghan’s Michael Carbin/Conor Mohan (Subaru Legacy) third.

In ideal conditions, Longford’s Colin Duffy/Sam Johnston were leading the way relatively close to the finish until they collected six penalties at TP35 near Araglin. Earlier, a network of roads close to the Tipperary border proved difficult for most - including the eventual top trio.

After results were calculated and with three crews on five penalties, Mackarel/Shinnors got the verdict as they made it as far as Time Point 19 (south-west of Araglin) with a clean sheet; Shinnors/O’Donovan got as far as TP16 and Carbin/Mohan collected their first penalty at TP8. Duffy/Johnston were fourth edging out fellow Ulster and former national champions Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes on yet another tie-break situation.