McGrath Makes It A Double

Kevin McGrath celebrates after winning both Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

For rounds 5&6 of the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship, competitors were back at Mondello Park. The weather was miserable and with oil laid down on the track from a previous race, the already slippery conditions were made even worse. Returning for this round was former champion and wet weather specialist Des Bruton. While not out to do the full series he would out to try a take another win but could take championship points off title contenders Kevin McGrath and Dave Reynolds.  It was Bruton who took pole position showing no signs of being rusty after his long lay off, from Roger Walaratne and Dave Reynolds. It wasn't so good for McGrath only qualifying in 7th and leaving himself with a lot of work to do. From the off it was Bruton in the lead from Reynolds as he lead the field into turn one. It was plain to see the track conditions were poor as everyone struggled for grip and not just from the rain.

Des Bruton leads Dave Reynolds during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

 That said it was the same for everybody but it was Bruton who made the most of it by stretching out an early lead in the opening laps. Reynolds was playing himself in and getting used to the conditions. After the initial laps were completed his pace picked up and began to close the gap. McGrath however did the opposite and carved his way up to third after the first half of the race. He was now on the bumper of Reynolds and had to get past quickly to give himself time to catch the leader Bruton. Just after the halfway mark he was past and already making inroads to Bruton. Try as he might, Reynolds couldn't keep up the same pace. With three laps to go McGrath made his moved to take the lead. Bruton stayed right behind but eventually lost ground. It was a case of bringing her home for the Naas driver. He kept smooth and didn't get out of shape much and took the chequered flag with a nice margin to spare over Bruton and Reynolds. He also took the important fastest lap to gain an extra championship point.

Dave Reynolds leads Roger Walaratne during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Kevin McGrath during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

For race two it was a reverse grid with Colin Kelly on pole from Des Meehan. This time the track was dry but the rain was not far away but there was a strong breeze which pushing the rain away for the start of the race. A dry race makes for better racing and a truer understanding of who was quickest. Kelly and Meehan got away well but a lightning start from McGrath saw him up to third by turn two and by the exit of turn 3 he was in the lead. Roger Walaratne also had a great start and was into second.

Dave Reynolds  was stuck in traffic and in fourth and if he did not get by one or two in the next few laps he was going to loose ground to McGrath. While the conditions remained dry it was at this stage McGrath needed to make ground before his main rival caught up. He put in the times and gapped the three behind over the few laps. By lap four Reynolds was into third and on Walaratne's tail. He couldn't afford to waste two or three laps behind him. He didn't and was into second a lap later. Now with a clear road ahead he carved into the lead McGrath built up. The weather too was changing again and the rain began to fall once more. Understandably being first on the road McGrath was cautious as the rain began to fall albeit not hard enough to wet the track to effect the grip levels.

KevingMcGrath leads the field during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Roger Walaratne leads Des Meehan during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Des Meehan leads Dave Reynolds during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

By now Reynolds was almost on his tail and as the rain blew off again the front two began to battle it as they have all year. Reynolds piled on the pressure every corner, but could not find a way by.. McGrath was on full defence mode and used the inside line all the way round to hold the lead. It was yet another brilliant battle between these two. Behind them though Des Meehan. Roger Walaratne and Des Bruton were also locked into the final podium spot battle. Walaratne defended well with Bruton unable to find a way past. Meehan too had the same problem with Bruton but was having his best run this year so far after mechanical problems in both races at the first two rounds.

Kevin McGrath during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Dave Reynolds leads Des Meehan during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Des Bruton leads Darragh Evans during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Up front McGrath brought it home to do the double but it was Reynolds who got the fastest lap in this race to get an extra point. It was some consolation for his hard work in catching and trying to pass McGrath. The happy Naas driver knew he worked for the wins this weekend " Yeah I mad hard work of that today but I am delighted to get the two wins. I got it worng in qualifying and ended up seventh. Got good starts in both races and tried to make it to the front each time which I did. The first race was wet but the oil all over the track made it very hard work. Fair play to Dave he has found a lot of pace this year and pushed me all the way in the second race but I just defended and defended and it was enough to take the win again."

Tohill Takes 10th IRX Rallycross Title

Gary Donohue, Honda Civic, leads the field into turn one during the supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

For the final two rounds of the Partsforcars.ie IRX Irish Rallycross championship drivers face a completely new track layout at Mondello Park. The new course would be the same that will be used in the upcoming and much anticipated FIA European Rallycross round in July. The weather was the best all season with very hot conditions but would cause its own problems with dust and tyre wear. The new layout however which would run in the opposite direction than normal but it is also very tight with few overtaking places. It was also a counting round of the British Rallycross Championship which brought a great entry of overseas drivers in the Super Retro and Supercar classes. Local men Derek Tohill, Peter McGarry and Logan Hoey were out to clinch their championship in the Supercar, Modified and Juniors classes respectively. 

In the supercar class Tohill was out for title number ten in a row! The switch to Peugeot power last year brought new hunger and motivation for the Dubliner and to make the amount of titles an even number was also an added quest this year. It would not be easy though as Gary Donoghue was back out in his Honda Civic as well as his team-mate John McCluskey in his civic. It would be all eyes on Kildare man Michael Leonard in his beautiful Audi S1 after his switch from the VW Polo he used at the last round. Also the other Kildare man Tommy Graham would be there in his Ford Fiesta along with fella Fiesta man and William Carey. Not forgetting English visitors Julian Godfrey and Tristan Ovenden.

Julian Godfrey, Citroen DS3, centre, leads Tommy Graham, left, Ford Fiesta, and Thristan Ovenden, VW Polo, into turn one during the supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Thristan Ovenden, VW Polo, leads Julian Godfrey, Citroen DS3, into turn one during the supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Tommy Graham, Ford Fiesta, during the supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Gary Donohue, Honda Civic, leads Michael Leonard, Audi S1, into turn one during the supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

It was a clean sweep during the heats on Saturday for Leonard avoiding any trouble while those behind didnt. Tohill and McCluskey came together a couple of times and let him get clean away but that said he was driving very well and clearly clicked with the Audi S1 and was unstoppable in the final and took the win comfortably by nearly 3 seconds. Sunday looked like more of the same with a clean sweep of wins in the heats and semi-final. However he didn't get the best of starts in Sunday's final and had to back out of a first corner duel with Tohill and Donoghue. Donoghue held firm over the next couple of laps and lead them with neat and tidy driving. Tohil and Leonard were however closing the gap but a mistake on lap 3 at turn 3 nearly saw Leonard run into the back of Tohill but quick reactions saw him missing him by millimeters  but the time lost was enough to end his run of wins for the weekend. 

Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, during the Supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, during the Supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, during the Supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Then as Donoghue exited the joker lap he ran wide on the exit letting Tohill through and with Leoanrd still having to do his joker lap it was looking good for the current champion. Leonard though was putting in a quick time and it was going to be close. He ran wide but it wouldn't have to been enough that earlier mistake had cost him too much. He emerged from the joker in second and Tohill brought it home for the win and with it his tenth Irish title. It is a fantastic achievement for the Dubliner who is in a real purple patch of form lately after his win in France a couple of weeks ago and the win also helped his chances to retain the British tile. He still remains the benchmark in Irish Rallycross and with Europe's finest coming in July he will be out to beat them on home soil.

Michael Leonard, Honda Civic, during the supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

In the Modified Class another Dublin Peter McGarry was out to take the title in his VW Polo but he would have his work cut out to gain an over all win with the Bleasdale brother over from the UK in the very quick Vauxhall VX220's. He also had to keep an eye on his main rival in the championship Willie Coyne in his older but quick Opel Corsa. With the new layout it was hard to pass in a 4WD 600hp Surpercar so in a 300HP 2WD it was harder again so any slip up in the tight hairpins the time loss would be crucial in trying to go for a win. Try as he might bar one heat win McGarry could not get the better of Jason Bleasdale and on both Saturday and Sunday he finished second to the UK driver. That said he hard the better of his championship rival Coyne who was not in his usual form missing out on the podium on Saturday but finishing third on Sunday but it wasn't enough and the title went to McGarry. It is well deserved after driving very well all season and also continent which has clearly brought his driving up a level again.

Stanley Bovill, Ford Escort MKII, leads the field into turn one during the IRX Modified race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Stanley Bovill, Ford Escort MKII, during the IRX Modified race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Willie Coyne, Opel Corsa leads Ricky Alonan, Vauxhall Nova, during the IRX Modified race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Jason Bleasdale, Vauxhall VX220, leads the field into turn 1 during the IRX Modified race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Peter McGarry, VW Polo, leads Jason Bleasdale, Vauxhall VX220, during the IRX Modified race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Peter McGarry, VW Polo, during the IRX Modified race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Speaking afterwards the delighted Tallaght native gave his reaction to the weekend. " It was a tough weekend i love the new layout, it's nice to come down to mondello and have different course to race on. It is hard to overtake on and Jason was on top form but I had to think of the championship too. I am delighted to have taken here today and in the new car too after all the hard work the team put into it, they deserve it as much as me. Thanks to all who helped during the year and to my family who put up with all this rallycross!"

In the IRX Junior class current champion Logan Hoey had one hand on the trophy already and a steady weekend would give him title number three in a row. Academy driver Kori Bagnall was the star of the day on Saturday as he was pushing Hoey all the way. In the final he only finished less than half a second at the line and will be one to watch next season. Hoey had easier on the Sunday and once again showed why he had made it three in a row despite a couple of slides during the day that could have ended his run. He has been fast and consistent all year and even halfway through the season bar mechanical failure it was looking like it was his title to loose. Still he had to go out and do the business which he did by winning every heat and both finals to claim title number three in style. 

Logan Hoey, Mini,leads the field into turn 1 during the IRX Junior race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Logan Hoey, Mini, during the IRX Junior race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Hugo Loonam, Mini, during the IRX Junior race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Ailish Sexton, Mini, during the IRX Junior race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Speaking afterwards the laid back Louth man gave his review of the weekend." I am really happy to make it three in a row, it was really tight Saturday and survived some big slides to take the win. Sunday was a bit easier but still had to fight for it. Thank to all my sponsors and dad for all his hard work during the year."

The next Rallycross meeting is the big one with the FIA European Championship coming to town on July 18th and 19th where the locals will take on their European counterparts for the first time in 30 years.

Sam Bovill, Ford Escort Fiesta, during the IRX Modified race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, during the Supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Gary Donohue, Honda Civic, leads the field off the line during the supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Make Mine A Double! - Jack Byrne wins latest Formula Vee races.

Jack Byrne, Sheane, on his way to wining the Formula Vee race at Mondello Park.

Annacurragh's Jack Byrne had a Carlsberg weekend at Mondello Park on Saturday by taking pole position, fastest lap and victory in rounds two and three of the Formula Vee Championship. It was a much needed confidence boost after mechanical trouble at the first round at Kirkistown in March which stemmed from late last year. He didn't have it easy though as he was pushed all the way by Gavin Buckley, Conor Melia and Kieran Hannan. 

To add to the mix a restarted race two meant he had to redo all his hard work again. The tight track on Mondello's national layout can make it hard to pass but also if you over defend you can get caught out and get nabbed in corners that aren't usually overtaking areas. Easier said than done though but a clash of wheels in race two with Buckley exiting turn one could have very easily ended in disaster for both drivers. With only fourteen cars out it is a sign of the times compared to a couple of years ago when there was usually twenty-five cars out each weekend. 

Jack Byrne, Sheane, leads Gavin Buckley, Sheane, and Sean McClements, Sheane, on his way to wining the Formula Vee race at Mondello Park.

That said those who were out but on a great display not giving an inch but all done in a fair way with no bad driving standards. Buckley came close twice at turn one in taking the lead on the outside line but Byrne held firm. His effort in the last three weeks wasn't going to be wasted in the gravel trap and only a win would do. Buckley's car still has the most speed out of any of the cars on the grid and he put it to good use down the straights but just couldn't find a way by. Cheered on by his biggest supporters his wife Michelle and daughter Eabha he took the chequered flag twice and in doing so but himself right back in contention for the championship.

Above: Jack Byrne, with his daugther Eabha aged 1 and Below: with his new army of fans after winning the Formula Vee race at Mondello Park.

Speaking afterwards the jubilant victor explain how his weekend went; " Its great now to get two wins a start the championship from here. We still have a few things to finish off on the car that we didn't get done in time for this weekend. The engine is strong and thank to Kevin Sheane for all the work he done on the car for us since Kirkistown its made a huge difference. It will be hard to beat Gavin in Bishopscourt and Colm Blackburn will be back too so it could be anyone's but we will give it a try anyway."