TyreDoctor.ie Formula Vee 'B' Champion 2025 - Conor Melia

13-September-2025: Conor Melia, the 2025 TyreDoctor.ie 'B'  Formula Vee Champion.
Picture Barry Cregg.

What a difference a year makes. This time last year the final race meeting at Kirkistown Racing Circuit for Lucan man Conor Melia was used to put to rest any demons he had after quiet a big crash he had there at the midpoint of the season. This year after already winning the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' Championship at the previous round at Mondello Park, he took his maiden Selco.ie Formula Vee national race win. 

It was in fact a long time coming as he was close to winning several times this year but just came up short. If he had and the crucial DNF in round three had not happened he may have claimed the overall championship as his consistency kept him in with a shout right up to the penultimate round. To be fair to the Dubliner he is only finishing his second season of racing this year. Another year with the SM Racing team also proved important as both parties kept the momentum going from last year and worked well together and as the season progressed the results got better and better. 

06-April-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. ICCR Round 1, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

06-April-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. ICCR Round 1, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

26-April-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane,, leads Eamonn Thornton, Leastone, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Picture: Barry Cregg

It was also a year where regular 'B' championship runners made a step forward in overall pace and who would have more race experience which made winning the championship all the better. Coming from a sim racing background rather than the traditional kart racing one so many have done before, his driving became more smoother and less erratic than last year. This comes from time in the car and one that is prepped very well by the father and son Christy and Stephen Morrin. 

Sadly the traitional final race of the year the Emmerson Fittipaldi Trophy, was cancelled due to heavy rain. The chance to add his name this year was takin away from him by mother nature, but if this year is anything to go by only a fool would rule him out of the running next year.

18-May-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Picture: Jack Cregg,

18-May-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Picture: Barry Cregg,

Speaking after the race he described the final championship race and his overall year. 

" I'm just buzzing, I really am, and for the lads {SM Racing} too. We have had the pace all year it was just hard to get past Gavin for a reasonable newcomer like myself. It's been said all year and its true that my downfall was not winning enough races but today we have shown we can. Bishopscourt was were it changed as the lads found a problem with the car that was a leftover from the crash last year. Once that was fixed the pace got much better and we got two second places there. There have been some great races all year with Gavin Buckley, Colm Blackburn and Jack Byrne. Sadly the weather took the Emmerson Fittipaldi  race away from us today but I will be back next year with the elbows out a bit more and try and get a few more wins."

27-September-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, leads Kieran Hannan, Leastone, and Andy Keogh, Sheane, on his way to winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Picture: Jack Cregg.

27-September-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, celebrates after winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Picture Barry Cregg.

13-September-2025: Conor Melia, the 2025 TyreDoctor,ie 'B'  Formula Vee Champion with the SM Racing crew Michelle, Stephen and Christy Morrin, along with Girlfriend Dorie.
Picture Barry Cregg.

PrecisionWorks Engineering Rookie Champion 2025 - Brian Cowan

The Formula Vee season came to a close last Saturday at Kirkistown Racing Circuit. While some finished another season of many, some defended a title, some finally made it to the end of a race meeting without damage and one driver not only fulfilled a lifetime wish to go motor racing they also won a championship in the process. Belfast native Brian Cowan was one such person. Brian joined the Formula Vee grid this year and showed he wasn't out for a Sunday drive. His pace got quicker as the year went on and became one of the northern tribe along with the Kelly Brothers, James Friel and Sean McCallion. When you look at his results anyone would love to have them in their own championship  with three wins backed up with a podium spot in every other round.

Brian Cown, Sheane, in action in round 1 at Mondello Park.

His rivals Lee Flynn and John Lawless both won races but were nowhere near as consistent with each having numerous DNF's. This consistency earned him an 88 point cushion when the points table was totted up for the final time. Having spent some years in England where he raced on two wheels for several years on 2 stroke 500cc motocross bikes before moving on to classic race bikes where he did parade laps around such famous circuits like Dijon, Spa, Donnigton  and the Isle of Man! 

After returning to Ireland he often thought his biking days and the competitiveness of it which he enjoyed. He wanted to do experience that again so a trip to Kirkistown in June 2023 where he talked to a few drivers and met Sean McCallion  and decided to bite the bullet and bought his car from him. The first race in Mondello saw a strong start finishing runner up to Lee Flynn followed by a third and a second again in the next two events but by round four in Bishopscourt he came home with two wins. It was especially nice to do it at his home track. While a win at Mondello eluded him all year his other win came at Kirkistown in July.

Reflecting on the year go by it was clear he enjoyed it, " I'm over the moon at winning the rookie championship in my first full season including first time visits to Mondello Park on both the national and International circuits. I bought a good car thanks to Sean McCallion and with the help of James Friel along with Jordan and Owen Kelly I had a 100% finishing record. Formula Vee is one of the most competitive championships in Ireland but everyone is willing to help you if needs be until the helmets go on!! I know feel part of the Formula Vee "family" and love the enthusiasm of all involved who make it happen, with a special thanks to Michelle Morrin. Formula Vee is fun, serious and great craic!"

Like all motor racing it comes down to experience and time in the car. A move up the the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' championship next year will see more challenges and a need to make a step further in lap times. If this year is anything to go by it wont surprise some if he is right in the mix in that championship from the word go.

Melia Takes His Maiden Formula Vee Win

 

Conor Melia celebrates after winning his first Formula Vee national win

Kirkistown Racing Circuit hosted the 11th and final round of the Selco.ie Formula Vee championship on Saturday. The northern circuit is the traditional last hooray of the season but for once it wasn't a title decider weekend like it has been so many times before. This sadly meant a few of the usual front runners were not out but still the top two in Gavin Buckley and Conor Melia were. Sean McClements was back out again and flew in qualifying so much so he grabbed pole position with a 1.05.943 lap. Gavin Buckley for once this season had no pressure on him at the last round as he wrapped the title up last time out at Mondello Park, joined him on the front row.

There was drama before the race even began, due to being late to assembly the two front row men were put to the back of the grid. This promoted Melia and Thornton to the front row. The weather was horrible, with high winds and rain it made life very difficult for the drivers but at least the rain wasn't too heavy but the track was slippy. Melia got away well and took the lead going into turn one but behind him Thornton spun going into turn two. He wasn't the only one as nearly a third of the grid did the same with some colliding with other. More bad luck followed Buckley and McClements as they were two of those who spun off. Andy Keogh and Kieran Hannan benefited the most as the slotted into second and third. 

Conor Melia, Sheane, leads Kieran Hannan, Leastone, and Andy Keogh, Sheane, on his way to winning his first Formula Vee national race

In the opening laps the front three settled into a nice battle each threading the fine line of going fast enough without being close to going off. It looked like hard work as the back end of each car stepping out as soon as the power was applied. Oliver Devlin and Michael Stafford found the grip levels very hard to find exiting turn two they both spun off more than once but luckily no damage was done other than their pride. By the halfway point the front three had pulled clear from the rest of the field but Melia had opened a gap to the two men behind also. Once again this year his smooth driving style was helping him and his chances of his first national win come closer and closer.

Kieran Hannan, Leastone, leads Andy Keogh, Sheane, during the Formula Vee race.

The battle for second was intense with both Keogh and Hannan looking like they were driving two old MKll escorts as both had them going from rack to rack. Keogh who has found some form again in the last couple of races was trying everything to get by and did with a lovely move into turn one. Hannan replied swiftly into turn three and took the place back. With both these battling it out Melia pulled clear and was safe in the lead until the safety car came out and he would loose his healthy lead. 

Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Fergal Begley, Sheane, during the Formula Vee race

On the restart Hannon made a move into turn one but Melia had it covered and a better run through turn three saw him pull a slight gap. Keogh now was right on the tail of Hannan and again tried everything to get past but just could not find a way by. Melia cleared off again and reeled off the final couple of laps to take his maiden Formula Vee national win for the SM Racing team. It was well deserved and capped off a great season for him and the team adding to his VW Spares 'B' championship which he secured last time out at Mondello. 

Andy Keogh, Sheane, leads Kieran Hannan, Leastone, during the Formula Vee national race

Conor Melia, Sheane, leads Kieran Hannan, Leastone, and Andy Keogh, Sheane, on his way to winning his first Formula Vee national race.

Conor Melia, Sheane, on his way to winning his first Formula Vee national race

The jubilant Lucan man wasn't shy in showing his joy at taking the win and afterwards said " I'm absolutely buzzing, a bit unexpected today with the two lads been moved to the back of the grid which left me on pole, but it's great for the SM Racing lads. They have put in a lot of work this year. It wasn't easy as the track was very slippy but I just concentrated on my lines and let the lads behind battle it out."