Anthony Cross Successfully Secures Championship Title at Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship Rounds 9 and 10

Anthony Cross successfully defended his title this weekend at Mondello Park. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Round nine of the Selco.ie Formula Vee championship saw drivers return to Mondello Park in county Kildare for the biggest race meeting on the Irish calendar, the Leinster Trophy Car Races. While not competing for the Leinster Trophy itself this year, drivers still had a chance to battle it out for the prestigious Holmpatrick trophy and also for important championship points.

While Anthony Cross has one hand on the championship trophy he still needs to finish in the points to secure it before the final round in Kirkistown next month. A win this weekend would seal it however if Jack Byrne has a non points finish as in the previous round or ahead of him in the race. Dan Polley who is the closest on track in terms of challenging Cross, is now too far behind to take the title.

As it has been all year the battle in qualifying was between Anthony Cross and Dan Polley. No matter the track or conditions these two have been locking out the front row all year. This weekend was no exception with both men swapping pole position but again it was Cross who grabbed pole by 0.168 of a second. Heading the second row like the previous Mondello Park round was Gavin Buckley, and a great qualifying performance from David O'Loughlin ment he started from fourth.

Anthony Cross, Sheane, in action during qualifying where he claimed pole position. Leinster Trophy Car Races, Mondello Park, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

However it was Polley in his LOH Motorsport car who got the best start and lead Cross into turn one. As they entered turn four Polley outbraked himself and let Cross up the inside as they made their way out onto the international loop for the first time. Polley had the line for the next corner though and regained the lead. Another man on the move was Tim Murray who made a great start and also managed to get past Cross by lap two. Clearly his misfire problem had been cured in between qualifying and race one.

Dan Polley, Sheane, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, and Gavin Buckley, Sheane, into turn one during Formula Vee race one. Leinster Trophy Races, Mondello Park, Co. Kildare. Photo: Cregor Elliott

He then pulled clear as Cross had to defend from Jack Byrne in his Sheane. Polley began to stretch his lead but behind him David O'Loughlin and Gavin Buckley didn't make use of their qualifying positions and dropped back to ninth and eleventh respectively. They did manage to climb back up to finish eigth and seventh by the chequered flag. A four car train developed into a battle for second place as Murray held off Cross, Byrne, Buckley. By lap 5 Cross was through and immediately set upon closing the gap to Polley. He did this within a couple of laps setting the fastest lap of the race on lap 6 in doing so. Polley wasn't getting flustered and drove perfectly defending his lead corner by corner and even a last corner attempt by Cross wasn't enough as he lead to the flag to take the win.

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Tim Murray, Leastone, during Formula Vee race one. Leinster Trophy Races, Mondello Park, Co. Kildare. Photo: Cregor Elliott.

Dan Polley may have won round nine but with his main rival Anthony Cross finishing behind it was enough for Cross to take the title and his second in a row. A fantastic achievement for the Bohernabreena man. Will he make it three titles in a row next year? The 'B' Championship was also decided, as Jack Byrne comfortably took the win even though it wasn't as straight forward at each event. A great result for him and the LOH Motorsport team and I am sure that he will be right up the front in the 'A' championship next year.

Dan Polley, Sheane, lead Formula Vee race two initially, before eventually coming home in second place. Leinster Trophy Car Races, Mondello Park, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Before all the celebrations could start, there was another race to be ran. Although the weather couldn't be more contrasting from the previous day. Gone were the blue skies and the arrival of rain and cold conditions. Polley again got the better start and lead the field. Cross had made a terrible start dropping right down the field before turn one. Then as the cars emerged from turn three Cross was missing after getting caught out in the tricky conditions. He eventually made his way back up to seventh. This left Polley with a healthy lead over Tim Murray and Jack Byrne. With championships decided this races was for the Holmpatrick trophy. Murray began to edge closer lap by lap and reeled Polley in with four laps to go. Coming into the second last corner Murray got up alongside Polley who held him off but in doing so he ran wide letting Murray through. Murray made sure the line was covered for the last corner and defended his lead from there on to take his maiden Formula Vee win. Jack Byrne came home in third. In the 'C' Championship Karl O'Sullivan took the win but JB Farrell took the 'Star of Tomorrow' title.

Tim Murray, left, Leastone, battles with Dan Polley, right, Sheane, during Formula Vee race two, during the Leinster Trophy Car races. Leinster Trophy Car races, Mondello Park, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg. 

Tim Murray, Leastone, leads Dan Polley, Sheane, during Formula Vee race two, during the Leinster Trophy Car races. Leinster Trophy Car races, Mondello Park, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg. 

Tim Murray, Leastone, on his way to taking his maiden win in Formula Vee race two, during the Leinster Trophy Car races. Leinster Trophy Car races, Mondello Park, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg

Another great weekends racing put on by Formula Vee and congratulations to all the new and defending title winners. Next and final meeting for Formula Vee is on October 28th in Kirkistown for the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy.

Tim Murray lifts the Holmpatrick Trophy after winning Selco.ie FOrmula Vee race two. Photo: Kevin O'Hara.

JB Farrell, Sheane, winner of the 'Star of Tomorrow' championship. Photo: Barry Cregg,

Race Results, Saturday:
Selco Hygiene National Championship
1 - Dan Polley
2 - Anthony Cross
3 - Tim Murray

B Championship
1 - Tim Murray
2 - Jack Byrne
3 - David O Loughlin

Star of Tomorrow Championship:
1 - Karl Sullivan
2 - Jordan Kelly
3 - JB Farrell

Race Results Sunday:
Selco Hygiene National Championship 
1 - Tim Murray
2 - Dan Polley
3 - Jack Byrne

B Championship
1 - Tim Murray
2 - Jack Byrne
3 - Ger Byrne

Star of Tomorrow championship:
1 - Karl O Sullivan
2 - JB Farrell
3 - Michael Killian