Mixed fortunes for Alan and Micheal at the Brands Hatch Formula Ford Festival
25th October 2005

Kearys of Cork sponsored Alan Dwyer finished ninth in the final of the Brands Hatch Formula Ford Festival in England this weekend.

With a field of over 60 competitors Alan, racing with Dwyer Engineering, qualified fifth for the first
heat and finished sixth despite an engine misfire. However this engine misfire was to haunt the team for the
weekend. It meant that Alan was not getting maximum power and his straightline speed was suffering significantly. In the semi-final, Alan finished fifth from ninth on the grid despite extensive car damage in an incident and safety car ridden race.

In the final, Alan finished ninth with Gavin Wills winning the Brand Hatch FF1600 Festival final from
Cliff Dempsey Racings Dave Collier. Favourite Peter Demspey spun after a daring move on Neville Smyth in
lap two of the final while Smyth retired from the lead later after contact lapping a backmarker.

Dwyer Engineering Formula Ford Zetec driver Micheal Fitzgerald had an early finish to his weekend after
his engine failed in qualifying and it could not be fixed in time for the FF1800 race.

Fellow Irish FF1600 racing driver and F1 commentator Declan Quigley was comfortably in a position to qualify for the final until he was unceremoniously shunted of at paddock.

Alan shows the scars of his skirmish in the FF1600 semi-final.

Images Courtesy of Phil Burridge