Cullen Does The Double - Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship

For rounds 9 and 10 of the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship, drivers were once again back in Mondello Park but this time on the International circuit. All year two Kildare men have being battling it out for the series and this weekend saw no difference. Jonathan Taylor from Kildangan and Kevin McGrath from Naas, are no strangers to their local track but with this being the penultimate round both men cant afford to give away points. 

Taylor loves the wet and it showed in qualifying as he took pole position by over a second from McGrath. However former champion Michael Cullen was back out for a spin for only the second time this year. He would be starting from the back in race one and would be hard to hold back. Also in the hunt would be Dave Reynolds and Colin Marnane both showing great pace in qualifying. Taylor made a poor start and the field was lead by McGrath into turn one from Marnane and Reynolds. Cullen already made up a couple of places on the run to turn one. 

The long international layout allows for more overtaking opportunities and this played right into the hands of Cullen. Carving his way through the field like a hot knife through butter he showed why he was so dominant last season. Taylor was also beginning to make up lost ground. By the end of the first lap Cullen had brilliantly took the lead to head the field out onto lap two. McGrath remained in second but Taylor was now up to third and closing in. By the halfway mark Cullen was clear of any danger and as always just reeled off the laps. In saying that, the battle for second behind did help him and provided the spectators with great excitement. 

Taylor hounded McGrath lap after lap but just could not find a way past. Its a credit to his driving all year not panicking while under pressure. Another great drive came from Colin Kelly who made his way to fourth place in his second ever outing. In the end it was an easy win for Cullen who was out for fun and keep his hand in as he is concentrating on rallying more this year. McGrath came home in second with Taylor in third.

For race two the top six on the grid were a reverse of the finishing order in race one. Once again Cullen made light work of those ahead of him and took the lead once again although this time he was in the lead a few corners earlier. Taylor though was in second with  a few cars between him and McGrath. Taylor hung on to Cullen for a few laps but just could not match his pace but also had to think of the championship and not risk something failing on the car. However behind him, his title rival was tearing up his steady form book and making trip to the grass in a couple of corners as he and Reynolds battle for third all race long. 

Kelly again made a good showing in fifth and could be one to watch the next day out and next season. Des Meehan took his custom championship round trip to the gravel but thankfully no damage occurred to the car. The rest of the field became a bit strung out as the laps went by but it didn't matter to Cullen as he took another win and another double.

Taylor came home in second a crucially put another man between himself and rival McGrath. When you take dropped rounds into account it leaves fine margins going into the final two races on the 19th of October once again at Mondello Park.

Speaking after the race Taylor was happy with his day even though he didn't make the top step of the podium this time out. " I had a good day I got maximum points and Kevin did also so I think we are nearly even on points going into the last round. We had a problem with the car in race one but fixed it for race two. We couldn't get near Michael today but that's the way it goes. He is an amazing driver and he has brought us all on. Fingers crossed we can take it the next day but if Kevin does it will be great too as he has never done it but I am sure it will be neck and neck either way."

McGrath was more relieved after it was all over " I had a great battle in race one with Jonathan and came out on top there but in race two I made a couple of mistakes while battling with Dave Reynolds and was on the grass a few times. I thought I was going to loose a load of time at one stage, thankfully I didn't but I may use that a dropped round. It will be tight going for the last round but sure we will give it our best".

Race winner Cullen was happy to get another couple of wins " It was good fun but it would be nice to have had a good battle. I nearly had the car sold but it fell through so I said I'd take it out this weekend instead. Still it was good fun."

Results:

Race 1

1st Michael Cullen

2nd Kevin McGrath

3rd Jonathan Taylor

Race 2

1st Michael Cullen

2nd Jonathan Taylor

3rd Dave Reynolds

Taylor Does The Double - Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship

Jonathan Taylor with the winners trophies after the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship races. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Mondello Park was the venue for rounds five and six of the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship. After the closely fought races last time out in Bishopscourt, more of the same was expected around the tight 2.2 mile county Kildare circuit. The weather was changing all the time from heavy rain to sunshine, making it difficult for the drivers to make the right setup for their cars. Qualifying was very close with Dave Reynolds taking pole position from local man Kevin McGrath by 0.017 of a second. In fact the top four were covered by 0.344 of a second.

Jonathan Taylor leads the field into turn one during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

 As the lights went out for round five both Reynolds made a bad start allowing the two local men Kevin McGrath and Jonathan Taylor to head the field into turn one with Des Meehan right behind. The track was wet and greasy from the rain earlier in the morning but was beginning to dry. Taylor a former champion with years of experience racing around Mondello Park set to make a break early on and gap the rest. It was working well in the opening laps, with a clear road ahead he let the others battle it out behind him. Fifth place qualifier Mark Meenehan was showing much better pace than in qualifying and was making his way towards Taylor up front. He was past Reynolds and Meehan after the opening laps and began to catch McGrath for second. A lap later he caught and passed him which was important as Taylor had built up a 1.5 second lead.

Kevin McGrath leads Des Meehan and Mark Meenehan during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Kevin McGrath leads and Mark Meenehan during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Dave Reynolds leads Roger Welaratne during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

 By the halfway mark he was on his tail and starting lap seven he out-braked Taylor going into turn one and took the lead but nearly threw it away on the exit of the corner with a big slide. He held it but it allowed Taylor to close back in. Next time round it was Taylor in the lead. Laps were running out along with places to pass as a number of drivers were taking to the gravel traps and bringing out the yellow flags. Again he tried an outside line move on Taylor at turn one. Taylor braked as late as he could and held his line but Meenehan did the same on the outside and it was enough to take the lead again. A brilliant move in a fantastic race in tricky conditions. 

Niall McFadden takes a trip to the gravel during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Brendan Curran takes a trip to the gravel during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Mark Meenehan, right, leads Jonathan Taylor during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

He held the lead for the following lap but Taylor wasn't finished. He was out for the win and got by once again with a lap to go. Early third place man Des Meehan out-braked himself trying to overtake Niall McFadden and beached his car in the gravel. The gravel done its job as it prevented what could have been a big accident. With the car in a dangerous spot the yellow flags remained on that corner, so no chance for Meenehan to try his turn one move again. Taylor Was in control though and brought it home to take the win from Meenehan with McGrath in third. 

Jonathan Taylor leads Mark Meenehan during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

For their second race of the day and round six of the championship Roger Welaratne lined up on pole from Dave Reynolds with McFadden and  McGrath in third and fourth. Taylor and Meenehan would start from fifth and sixth so they would have work to do to get to the front. As the lights went out Reynolds got the holeshot and lead the field into turn one. With the sun back out the track was dry so the drivers didn't have to worry about grip levels this time out.

Reynolds looked quicker than the earlier race and got his head down and began to pull away from Welaratne who was driving well but had McGrath and McFadden breathing down his neck. Race one winner Taylor got pushed onto  the grass at turn two by McGrath and dropped back to last leaving him with a whole pile of work to do. McGrath and McFadden were having a great battle McFadden holding third for the opening laps but McGrath was quicker and got by into turn one and chased after Welaratne. Reynolds was comfortable in the lead and opened up a lead of two seconds.

Des Meehan leads Dominic Ryan during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Brendan Curran leads Mark Meenehan during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Dave Reynolds, left, leads Kevin McGrath during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

 Taylor was making moves too and his pace clearly quicker than those ahead of him carved his way through the field and now was right behind McFadden. He made shot work of getting by him and pulled away to close in on third placed Welaratne. He again made short work in making up another place.

By the halfway mark it was Reynolds from McGrath and Taylor. McGrath trying hard worked hard and closed down Reynolds and brought Taylor with him. He tried an outside line overtake at turn one that was close to coming off but Reynolds was driving well and held the lead. A lap later though Taylor got down his inside and moved into second and by the exit of turn three he was up into the lead. He opened a gap while McGrath and Reynolds battled behind. It was a good job as once McGrath got into second he closed that gap right down, putting in the fastest lap of the race in doing so. Taylor had time on his side though as it was now the last lap where he brought the car home to take the win and with it the double for the weekend. 

Two entertaining races with Taylor the local  man taking to the top step in both. Speaking after the race it was clear he was happy with how his weekend went; 

" Yeah I had a great weekend back at my home track, racing here since 1989, two good races with Kevin, Dave and Mark who pushed me all the way. I got put on the grass at turn two on the first lap and dropped to last. It was just a racing incident but it fired me up to come back through the field. For the first race I like the wet and I was faster than the rest in that one and the dry makes it closer for everyone which is what you want. I'm delighted in how the weekend has gone and hopefully do the same again here for the next round.

Jonathan Taylor during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Kevin McGrath leads Jonathan Taylor during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Dave Reynolds leads Kevin McGrath and Jonathan Taylor during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Byrne Back With A Bang To Win Round 6 - Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

07-June-2025: Jack Byrne lifts the trophy after winning the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

For round six of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Ireland Championship drivers returned to Mondello Park. With the previous three rounds up north it was a welcome return for the competitors to be back at the county Kildare circuit. Also returning to the series was Jack Byrne, Oliver Devlin and Dan Polley after a long break. 

Sadly the warm sunshine that drivers had in Bishopscourt last time out did not last and was replaced with a heavy showers of rain for qualifying. Track conditions were poor with no grip with Ger Byrne, Niall O'Mara and Lee Flynn proving it as all ended up in the gravel trap at turn one. Conor Melia however did not end up in it though as he drove to pole position continuing his great run of form in his SM Racing Sheane. Polley who always goes well at Mondello joined him on the front row with Jack Byrne in third and Gavin Buckley in fourth. Surprisingly Championship leader Colm Blackburn could only manage 8th place and would have work to do come the race.

07-June-2025: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads the field into turn one during the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

While the track dried up fully after qualifying with only minutes before the start of the race the heavens opened once again as the drivers took to the track from the paddock. As they lined up on the grid to take their positions the rain was coming down hard. This left it wide open when trying to pick out who was going to win.

It was now time for Melia to go for the win, he has been up at the sharp end all year and for his national championship chances he need a win to keep up with rivals Buckley and Blackburn. As the lights went out though he made a bad start letting Buckley and Byrne get past. Polley too had got ahead but Melia had the inside line ast the rounded turn one for the first time. Buckley held the lead on the opening lap but Byrne and Melia were right there. The grip level was very poor and all were struggling with the cars getting out of shape so quickly both under braking and when the power was being applied.

07-June-2025: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, and Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

 It was a balancing act and the front three were nose to tail, not giving each other an inch in doing so. Conditions aside it was already a good showing from the Annacurragh man who was having his first event of the year. His two rivals have been out all year but it wasn't showing in the early laps. Buckley though was defending well using his lines well and finding the grip when Byrne got alongside into turn one starting lap three. Melia was there too but lost time at turn one when he was very close to running into the gravel. 

Kieran Hannan and Lee Flynn went one better, both going into the gravel but managed to keep the momentum up to get back out so much so Flynn nearly overtook Hannan as the rejoined the track! A lap later championship leader Blackburn was in it but too go back on track but dropped several places. Already the top three had pulled clear from fourth placed man Polley who was on his own and well ahead of those behind.

07-June-2025: Colm Blackburn, Leastone, went into the gravel at turn one but battled back to fourth place during the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

Byrne was trying everywhere to get by and looking a bit impatient. He got a run down the main straight to get alongside Buckley and managed to get ahead going into turn one but started to get out of shape and was close to loosing it. He didn't but had to slot back into second again. His wanting to get past Buckley in a hurry was justified as Melia had closed right back in and was close to overtaking him at turn one on the next lap. This was letting Buckley open a slight gap in front and with laps running out Byrne would have to make his move soon. Then it all changed. First Melia spun off exiting turn one, he rejoined but was down to fourth, a corner later Buckley was out. He lost it on the run out to turn three and spun into the barrier ending his race. 

This left Byrne out on his own with Polley in second, Melia in third and after a sterling drive back through the field to get back into fourth and was catching Melia fast. This was helped by the fact Melia had lost third gear and was struggling to stay going. He was dropping back to Blackburn at rapid rate of knots. Time was on his side with a lap to go he held on but only just, crossing the line 0.036 of a second ahead of Blackburn as the chequered flag was waved. Polley had a quiet race from the start and finished in second leaving Byrne to come home to take the win. 

07-June-2025: Above: Lee Flynn, Leastone, passes Eamonn Thornton, Leastone.

 Below: Dan Polley, Sheane, on his way to second place during the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

07-June-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, took pole position and third place during the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

It was a very eventful formula vee race but a great return to the series for Byrne who wasn't sure if he would keep up the pace at the front after his pace in testing. He was on the pace though even if it was wet. Speaking afterwards the delighted Wicklow man explained how his race went; 

" We are down on power so when the rain came it levelled the playing field. We got lucky and stayed on track so it worked out well. I'm waiting on my main engine to come back from a rebuild so I wasn't expecting much in qualifying but got a good lap in and then it the rain got heavier so I ended up in third. I got a cracker of a start got into second and had a great battle with Gavin and Conor, until I seen one spinning off in my mirrors and then the other spin off in front of me on the same lap. I backed off a bit after that to get to the finish. It is great to get a win as I haven't been out this year yet but I'm looking forward to getting back here in July for the next round."

07-June-2025: Jack Byrne, Sheane, with his daughter Eabha aged 9 weeks, after winnng the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg