After a short mid-season break to allow the young racers time to focus on their exams, the 2012 Ginetta Junior Ireland series kicked back into life with Rounds Seven and Eight at Mondello Park.
Championship leader Jake Byrne headed into the weekend hoping to extend his championship lead, but it was James Fleming who took the early advantage, securing pole position in qualifying by three tenths from Byrne, with championship rookie Dylan Curley an impressive third.
The opening race saw Fleming miss a gear off the line, Byrne benefitting to take the lead, with Curley taking second ahead of Clarke. The recovering Fleming quickly got up to third, but a spin coming out of Dunlop corner saw him drop back down the order again and eventually retire. At the front, Byrne cruised home to victory, with a seasons best result of second for Curley ahead of Clarke. Jack Finlay took fourth ahead of Sophie Byrne, with another rookie James Huddleston completing the top six.
Byrne led away from pole in race two, with Finlay slotting into second ahead of Clarke, hopwever their progress was halted by an early red flag after an off for Curley. On the restart, Byrne led away once again, with Fleming making some fantastic progress from the back of the grid to move into second. He couldn't catch Byrne though who took his second victory of the day, Fleming second ahead of Clarke, with ABR trio Finlay, Byrne and Huddleston completing the top six.