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."

Kearney Kicks Off New Season In Style - Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane Championship

Richard Kearney on his way to winning the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park.

The long winter break was finally over for the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane drivers as they headed to Mondello Park for the first two rounds of the 2026 season. The sun was out along with new colour schemes and also a new female driver to Formula Sheane in many years. Mondello Park have now taken over the series led by Leo Nulty and a big promotional push is planned with lots of new interest already in the class by several newcomers. It would be great to see it grow back to a large field once again and keep the late David Sheane's memory and philosophy alive by having an affordable racing class for drivers. 

While Carlow man Kearney was the hot favourite for the win, it was anyone's for the other two places on the podiums. Qualifying backed the bookies odds as Kearney took pole position by a massive 1.9 seconds from Garrett McKenna and Sean Kiernan. With showers floating around and causing some minor headaches for drivers and teams in the morning thankfully they stayed away come race time.

Kevin Igoe leads Tom Foley during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park

 As the light went out for race one Kearney took the lead from the off and lead the field into turn one. His fellow Carlow man Mike Dermody had to start from the back of the grid after problems in qualifying, but his blood was up and drove superbly in the opening laps to cut through the field all the way to second place. He settled into a race long battle with Sean Kiernan, Garret McKenna and Tom Foley. The rookie to the class Roisin Sweeney was showing no signs of first day nerves and her previous Global Light racing experience was paying off as she was in touch with the group battle for second. Giving that she had no testing prior to the weekend and her first taste of formula racing was in qualifying, it was a brilliant display. 

Garrett McKenna leads Sean Kiernan during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park.

Sean Kiernan leads Mike Dermody during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park.

By mid race she had got up to fourth setting very fast times just a half a second off leader Kearney but a spin at the final corner dropped her right back but she had made her point. Kearney did what he does best and puts in quick lap after quick lap and built his lead and was never in trouble. Behind him though McKenna and Foley had gapped Kiernan enough to duke it out in the final laps for the last two podium spots. Dermody who had got up to second couldn't hold on to his early momentum and dropped back to fifth. McKenna put in a quick couple of laps at the end to secure second from Foley. It was Kearney's race however and to show how hard he drove he set a new lap record with a 56.636 second lap.

Roisin Sweeney leads Kevin Igoe during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park.

Tom Foley leads Kevin Igoe during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park

Mike Dermody leads Sean Kiernan during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park

For race two it was again Kearney who lead into turn one from McKenna who locked up his inside wheel and was close to colliding with Kearney but he stopped just in time and also hold on to his place. Sean Kiernan made a better start and got up to third hounding McKenna in the early laps but could not find a way by. Mike Dermody again made a good start and was up to fifth early on and behind him Roisin Sweeney and Kevin Igoe were having a great battle. Foley this time could not match the pace of those in front but still was close enough to pick up the pieces if anything were to go wrong.

Richard Kearney on his way to winning the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park

Try as he might Kiernan could not get past McKenna and now Dermody was on his tail as well as Sweeney and on top of that his engine began to loose power. By half distance once again barring mechanical trouble Kearney had it in the bag. Though not setting lap records this time he once again showed why he is the reigning champion. It was hotting up behind him though now the race was drawing to a close, as Dermody had moved into third and Sweeney into fourth. Sweeney was again putting in the times faster than those ahead but just couldn't find a way past McKenna and Dermody. McKenna was up to the challenge despite several lock ups into turn one and held firm. Both second and third placed men stayed at the same pace ensuring neither would pull away or close in anymore. As Kearney crossed the line eight seconds clear he lay down the marker for those to match next time out. McKenna came home in second another good result with Dermody third, Sweeney fourth and Foley fifth.

  

The next round will bring a different challenge to the drivers at the fast Bishopscourt Racing Circuit in county Down.