IDC Round 5 Pro2
The beginning of September saw Autumn creep in quietly as we headed to 360 Motorsports Park in Kilflynn, Co Kerry. The fifth and final round was here for the Pro2 category drivers. What seemed like it started only yesterday in Mondello Park was finishing in the kingdom. Briefing began and the practice day started early on Saturday, an unsettling fog blanketed the valley and showed no signs of leaving. Visibility was chronic during the practice laps as the haze refused to dissipate, the tire smoke lingered after each lap making it incredibly difficult to navigate. The final round of the competition was going to be difficult for the Pro2’s. None of this season has been easy for our drivers. This was one last chance to test the limits of our drivers, mentally and mechanically.
The morning was full of navigational trial and error for our drivers. The track layout of 360 Motorsport and the six inches of visibility was proving treacherous at times for our drivers, still they pushed on. As midday crept in, the fog began lifting from the tarmac, finally things were looking up for the rest of the day. A quick chow break and the drivers were back to practice, now the track could be seen the real practice was about to begin, The drivers tore around 360 to their heart's content, configuring their approach for Sunday.
Sunday morning saw a lack of fog, but the misty rain was there to greet us as we arrived at the track. No smoke and sliding conditions were in store for the Pro2 drivers. This was the final hurdle, the finale of the entire summer. Briefing was done for the last time in 2024 and the lads were off, qualifying was going to be furious. The drivers saw an unforgiving layout and the patchy conditions in 360 test their finesse from the very beginning of the lap. Several drivers were wiped out and there were plenty of zero’s called from the judges tower. Pro2 leader Jacob Krzyszczak had an impressive qualifying lap of 91.3 as did Danny Devine landing himself a solid 90, the cut off point saw Pro2 second place chaser Ben Rogers sneak into qualifying with a score of 76. The track was unforgiving as the top 32 fought and earned the right to face off bumper to bumper with each other once more time.
We were on to the next stage, the top 32 were revved up and ready to tear off around the tarmac and shake up the scoreboard one last time. The battles saw technical mishaps, a few bumper kisses and unfortunately, one or two spin outs. The top 16 were through the first scrap for the final, they were ready to go hell for leather again and do their best against their opponent. The top 16 were a flurry of smoke as the conditions started to ease around 4pm, the semi dry patches on the rack throwing an added curveball for the final round of the competition. As grueling as the top 16 was, the best 8 of the Pro2 championship for 2024 were ready. Jacob Krzyszczak, Damien Mc Kernan, Danny Devine, Jack Caldwell, Owen Magner, Ben Rogers, David Curtis and Peter Molloy were the top competitors going into the great 8. Some well needed ‘cooldown laps’ were taken as the drivers got ready as we came closer to the final clash of the championship.
As the great 8 began the drivers were merciless with each other, no quarter given and no room for any error to be made. The skills and mental focus of these drivers was truly put to the test as the championship was within reach. For some it was the dream end to a fairytale season, for others it was a matter of finishing strong after a testing season of mechanical heartbreaks. Every one of the drivers was ravenous for the podium, it was clear to see as they roared through every turn 360 had to offer. It was Jacob Krzyszczak, Ben Rogers, Peter Molloy and Jack Caldwell who would be our final four contestants,
Jacob battled Peter in a seamless display of understanding the car and layout in front of you, Peter stuck it to Jacob from beginning to end but Jacob proved why he was on the podium almost every round this year. This saw Jacob winning the championship by a matter of mathematics but at the same time he wasn’t going to ease up his fight for his opponent in the final. The battle of the day was Ben Rogers and Jack Caldwell for second place as what could only be described as a clash of titans. The two drivers flat to the mat, sticking to each other as they navigated the track. Neither one of them letting up, relentless in the pursuit for second place on the podium.
The track, now dried as if ready for the big show was enveloped in smoke as Rogers and Caldwell left everything on the tarmac. Ben Rogers came out on top after a well fought battle against Caldwell, this would see Jack Battle against Peter Molloy for the third position. As a matter of pride the two drivers fought as if this was their fight for first. Ben Rogers and Jacob Krzyszczak got ready for a final showdown, the last battle of the 2024 Pro2 season. It was a face off toe dn all face of safe as Rogers and Krzyszczak left no task for each other. The screech of the tires as Ben gave Jakub a run for his money, Jacob eventually having the edge over him. Jacob Krzyszczak was crowned the 2024 Pro 2 winner of the Irish Drift Championship 2024. The Krzyszczak team waited on the sidelines as they knew it was one last lift off for the polish man. Jacob could not have had such a fantastic season without the team behind him and of course, his wife Nattalie.
That’s a wrap for the 2024 Pro2 season. We have our winner and the lads will drive again Sunday 21st in the Pro round in 360 Motorsports park. We’ll see you then.
