Doyle Wins Closely Fought Patland Cup Trial

Sean Doyle celebrates after winning the Patland Cup Trial. Picture: Barry Cregg.

The Patland Cup Motorcyle Trial took place on sunday on the Sugarloaf mountain in Kilmacanogue. The most prestigious and oldest event in Irish motorcycling, dates back to 1921 and is promoted by the Leinster Motor Club. After a forced absence due to insurance issues for Motorcycling Ireland for the past 15 months. This years event was not a counting round of the Irish championship as a result of those insurance problems but still attracted a strong entry with current Irish champion Josh Hanlon from Banbridge in county Down, along with top riders from the south in Sean Doyle from Templecarrig and Michael Burton from Curtlestown who both have won the event seven times previously and were out to equal Michael's late father Derek who holds the record for most wins with eight. 

Sean Doyle, Scorpa, in action during the Patland Cup Trial. Sugarloaf Mountain, Co. Wicklow. Picture: Barry Cregg.

A motorcycle trial is a made up course of marked areas called sections, where the rider has to navigate though without putting their foot down and if they do they are given a mark against them. Each trial is made up of different grade levels from sportsman/novice to expert-elite with an overall time of 5 hours to complete the event. Riders follow a marked coloured route though each section depending on the level they are competing in. The rider with the least amount of marks against them is the winner. The expert and expert-elite classes are not for the faint hearted with climbs and drops leaving spectators with their jaws on the floor as they watch the riders negotiate them. They also have to ride between sections which adds to the event and is as much an endurance test aswell.

Sean Doyle, Scorpa, in action during the Patland Cup Trial. Sugarloaf Mountain, Co. Wicklow. Picture: Barry Cregg.

The weather was kind to the riders, although cool at times the rain held off which made conditions much easier for the riders. That said, three laps with thirteen tough, grueling sections along the Sugarloaf Mountain was far from easy. Doyle and Hanlon both competed in the final championship round the previous day in the north of Ireland which would have them match fit over Burton. Lack of bike time cost Burton, he got off to a bad start with 2 failures on his first lap leaving him out of contention but fought back well on the last lap to finish third overall with a total of 27 marks lost. The battle for the win would be an all-day affair between Doyle and Hanlon with the lead changing hands twice on the last lap. 

Sean Doyle, Scorpa, in action during the Patland Cup Trial, Sugarloaf Mountain, Co. Wicklow. Picture: Barry Cregg

Doyle took an early lead after Hanlon suffered a failure in the first group of sections on lap 1. A Trial can change in just one section so concentration cannot slip. With the Patland running on the Sugarloaf time is tight over the distance covered and also when you have to include the fuel stops. As they started the last lap, Doyle riding his new Scorpa 300cc machine which he only got two weeks prior to the event, held a 3 mark lead after the first two laps which included a faultless lap two. Doyle made his only failure of the day on the same section Hanlon had earlier in the first group of sections on the final lap. This gave Hanlon a slender lead of two marks before fighting back to finish level with him on 11 marks each by the end of the final section. The dreaded tie break was avoided when Josh misjudged the time limit picking up two extra marks for finishing 2 minutes outside the 5-hour time limit.

Michael Burton, Vertigo, in action during the Patland Cup Trial. Sugarloaf Mountain, Co. Wicklow. Picture: Barry Cregg.

As he took the win Doyle, a Jeweller form O’Kelly’s Jewellers on the Main Street Bray, equaled Derek’s Burton’s overall tally of 8 wins in the Patland. An impressive return to form for a rider who has struggled with injuries over the last 4 years.

Speaking afterwards the Templecarrig man said: 

" I am absolutely delighted to take the win here today. The Patland is the one event every year that means so much to me, growing up with it as a kid and it's home territory for me, I can see the Sugarloaf from my house!It was a tough battle, Josh is in flying form and is the man to beat at the moment. I started off pretty steady but had a cracking second lap going clean (no marks dropped). I started to run out of steam near the end and had to dig deep and gave it everything to get to the end. Thankfully it was just enough to come out on top. It great to have the sport back and be back out riding again. Thanks to all the observers and the officals for running the event and all my family for their support and I dedicate the win to them.

Josh Hanlon, Gas Gas, in action during the Patland Cup Trial. Sugarloaf Mountain, Co. Wicklow. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Josh Hanlon, Gas Gas, in action during the Patland Cup Trial. Sugarloaf Mountain, Co. Wicklow, Picture: Barry Cregg.

Other local riders to finish on the podium in their grade included Andrew Molloy from the red lane who finished 3rd in Expert Grade.   Alex McCann from Delgany was 3rd in sportsman and Cian Redden from Kilpedder was 2nd in Youth A

Byrne Back To Winning Ways

Jack Byrne with his trophy after winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

For round two of the selco.ie Formula Vee championship at Mondello Park on Saturday severe winds from storm Kathleen were an added challenge for the drivers. Lap times suffered but the action was not. After missing round one last years new kid on the block Ronan Doherty, was back. He certainly didn't show any signs of being rusty, as he he took pole position ahead of Gavin Buckley who won two weeks ago in the season opener. Jack Byrne from Annacurragh lined up in third with Kieran Hannan in fourth showing great pace, the B championship driver mixing well with the national drivers. 

Ronan Doherty, Sheane, qualified on pole on his first race back, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.Picture: Barry Cregg. 

As the lights went out though it was disaster for Doherty who immediately had a gearbox problem and went from first to last by the first corner. His car would not select third from second on the run to turn one. While he got off the line well in doing so getting ahead of Buckley who tucked in behind, he slowed when the problem occurred also slowing Buckley. This gave Byrne a great chance to take the lead round the outside. It helped those on the outside as Andy Keogh also jumped up the order into second with Kieran Hannan third. 

Byrne extended his lead over the next couple of laps as those behind began to swap places and slowing each other down. Hannon was into second by the end of lap two with Keogh defending from Buckley. Doherty however was on a charge. With only two gears used around Mondello, Doherty was able to overcome his initial problem to make his way up through the field. Colm Blackburn was lying in fifth looking to pounce which he did on lap five with a brilliant move on the outside of turn one where got by both Buckley and Keogh.

Top: Jack Byrne leads the field into the first corner, Above,: Kieran Hannan, Leastone, leads Andy Keogh, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co.Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Up front Byrne was still in control maintaining the gap but Doherty was now into fifth. A couple of laps later it was all change again as Blackburn dropped to fifth as Buckley and Doherty moved up and had now caught Hannan who was diving the best he ever had in Formula Vee. Byrne's charge up front was not going as well as it had before and the gap was coming down. By three quarters distance Hannan lost his hard fought second place to Buckley and then Doherty who then pulled a late move into the final corner to take second. Now with clear road ahead could he catch Byrne? 

Top: Jack Byrne, Sheane, Middle, Kieran Hannan, Leastone, Bottom: Gavin Buckley lead Colm Blackburn, Leastone, and Ronan Doherty, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, DOnore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

It looked very possible as the gap began to close but then Buckley repassed to take second two laps later which halted their progress. Time was now running out and the chance to get right up to Byrne had gone. All the leader had to do was bring it home, which he did to take his first win of the year. A great result for the Wicklow man who had a tough year last year after a heavy accident which ruined his season. Doherty tried a late run to the line to take second but Buckley held on but only just.

Further down the field a great battle between the leaders father Ger Byrne, Paul Lewis, Finn Gillespie and Brian Hall raged from the word go. Places being swapped several times throughout and anyone's for the taking. Then with a lap to go Gillespie and Hall collided at turn four. It was unfortunate for both who drove very well and it was just a racing incident that happens but both will be back out next time. 

Top: Colm Blackburn, Leastone, leads Gavin Buckley, Sheane, Middle: Paul Lewis, Leastone, leads Ger Byrne, Sheane, Conor Melia, Sheane, on his way to winning the Ability I.T. Rookie championship race, Bottom: Gavin Buckley, left, Sheane, and Ronan Doherty, right, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Pictures Barry Cregg.

Speaking after the race the winner was as much relieved to get the race over as he was to win it. 

" I got a great run to turn one when I seen the two boys slow down ( Doherty and Buckley) so I stuck to the outside line and got the lead. I put the head down to try and build a gap. Then the clutch start to slip and just tried to hold the gap but then later when they started to catch me I was praying for the chequered flag to come out. Thankfully it did and we only had one race today as I wouldn't have got another race out of it."

Jack Byrne, Sheane, celebrates after winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

It will be a big year for the Annacurragh man who will miss the next two rounds as he is not due to be in Bishopscourt in May and in July will be marrying his fiancé Michelle.

Jack and Michelle with their dog Lola.

Results:

Selco.ie National Championship

1st Jack Byrne

2nd Gavin Buckley

3rd Ronan Doherty

Tyredoctor.ie 'B' Championship

1st Kieran Hannan

2nd Andy Keogh

3rd Paul Lewis

Ability I.T. Rookie Championship

1st Conor Melia

2nd Simon Rudd

3rd Charlie Hart

Buckley Bags Season Opener

23-March-2024: Gavin Buckley holds up his trophy after winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Kirkistown Racing Circuit along the beautiful Ards Penninsula in county Down was the venue for the opening round of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. The circuit is a favourite amongst the drivers and teams alike. A new season brings a clean slate and a chance for those who missed out last season to go one better this year and also for the five newcomers, a chance to finally get racing after all their planning over the winter. 

Sadly 2023 Champion Lee Newsome was a non starter along with former champion Anthony Cross and last years hotshot Ronan Doherty was also missing but all will be out later in the year. That said the competion was still strong with Jack Byrne back in his newly built and painted Sheane. Colm Blackburn was also in a new car, his being the newer Leastone chassis and which once belonged to former champion Ray Moore. 

23-March-2024: Colm Blackburn, Leastone, leads Gavin Buckley, Sheane, and Jack Byrne, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee Race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Jack Cregg.

Gavin Buckley who has been a championship contender for the last number of years but just missing out is determined to take the title this year. The Rathmichael man set his stall out early by taking pole by 0.7 second ahead of Jack Byrne. The long straights of Kirkistown provide great over taking opportunities but qualifying well means a driver can stay away from being caught up in a mid pack scramble that can cause problems.

As the lights went out it was a masterful start by Blackburn who went through the middle of the front two like a bullet to take the lead on the run to turn one. It was the same by the exit of the chicane but as mentioned to long straights came into play and by the end of the back straight it was three abreast going into the hairpin. From first to third, on the the exit Byrne now lead from Buckley and Blackburn. It was still early days however but already the front three had pulled clear of the field enough to let them battle for the lead between themselves.

23-March-2024: Colin Lewis, Leastone, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

23-March-2024: Brendan Ellis, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

A heavy shower of rain a half hour before the race left the track damp in spots making it tricky to overtake off the racing line. On the run to the hairpin second time round Buckley got alongside Byrne and took the lead at the hairpin. The tighter technical section of the track from turn two to three suited Buckley as he gained time over his pursuers but lost the advantage on the latter half of the track. That said he was driving well and absorbing the pressure well not making any mistakes. Blackburn was now back up to second and chasing the leader down, his car very quick down the back straight. 

23-March-2024: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Colm Blackburn, Leastone, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee Race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Jack Cregg.

By half distance it was still the same heading to the hairpin nothing to separate the front three. A better exit from Blackburn gave him a run down the main straight to take the lead which he would hold for the next couple of laps. The weather again started to change with showers beginning to fall but slightly. Not enough to make track conditions change significantly. An excellent run down the back straight saw Buckley retake the lead and an even better run out of the hairpin gave him a three car gap to the two behind which would come into play as they were beginning to catch the tail-enders. Byrne got back into second at turn one with a move on the inside.

Buckley got passed the first of the tailenders to extend his advantage. Both Byrne and Blackburn were through but were in danger of losing the tow to the leader. With two laps to go Buckley was in command although loosing a bit of time behind one tail-ender, but he had enough in hand to bring it home barring any mechanical failure. Byrne was also in charge of second place until a sideways moment at the chicane on the final lap let Blackburn catch right up and try a move at the hairpin. He held on though and crossed the line to take second. Buckley had done so already and took his third win at the northern track.

23-March-2024: Charlie Hart, Leastone, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

 

23-March-2024: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, on his way to winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

A typical tight hard fought Formula Vee race and one to start the season off on a high note. 

Speaking after the race the winner was relieved to get the win. " It was a tight race with Jack and Colm, but I got a gap and then got through the backmarkers first which helped me get away a bit more. Conditions were tricky with damp patches and the wind, but its great to get the win and start the season off well"

Results:

Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

1st Gavin Buckley

2nd Jack Byrne

3rd Colm Blckburn