Anthony Cross wins opening Round of the 2021 Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

Anthony Cross hold up his winning trophy after victory in the first round of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg

When the paddock packed up for the final time after the Leinster Trophy race meeting in Mondello Park last October, little did anyone think that a wheel wouldn't be turned in anger for another eight months. Even though the season has actually started six weeks earlier than last year, the long winter and even longer lockdowns put in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic, tried all competitors patience to the very limit this time round. 

Thankfully the country as a whole is in a better position this year with vaccines been rolled out each day, which was only a mere hope this time twelve months ago. Every cloud has a silver lining though and the Formula Vee paddock had been very busy over the long lay off. Renewed sponsorships, new faces, new liveries and bigger grids have come to the fore once again thanks to the hard work of the Formula Vee committee. Just to add to the party the summer weather finally arrived for the opening round which were held at Mondello Park in Co. Kildare. 

Dan Polley, Sheane, on his way to pole position in qualifying for the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg

 As usual for the tight confined nature of Mondello meant qualifying was crucial if a chance at victory was to had. Reigning champion Anthony Cross was again the favorite going into the new season but he knew he had a big target on his back. 

"It's not going to be easy for sure this year as there is quite a few guys capable of winning but I'll be trying my best to be home first again although we are lucky to be here at all after an off in practice after a trailing arm broke on the main straight which caused the brakes to fail sending me into the gravel at turn one!"

Twentysix cars lined up in pitlane for qualifying, a testament to the class promotion in getting such high numbers out for round one of the championship, eight of which never raced at all before. As always in was a close run affair with the first eight cars cover by less than a second. It was Dan Polley who got pole position by 0.010 of a second ahead of Mark Reade with Tim Murray and Anthony Cross third and fourth. Drama began even before car made it to the grid as Eamon Thornton's car caught fire in paddock assembly but thankfully nobody was hurt and the car will live to see another day.

As the lights went out it was Mark Reade who got the best start holding off Dan Polley and taking the lead into turn one. Thankfully all came through unscathed and as the field went out in the country for the first time it was Mark Reade, Dan Polley, Tim Murray, Anthony Cross and Jack Byrne all nose to tail. Murray got out of shape exiting the final turn which nearly ended with Byrne and Cross coming together but luckily both kept their car in a straight line.

Mark Reade, Leastone, leads Dan Polley, Sheane, Anthony Cross, Sheane, and Jack Byrne, Sheane, during the first round of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg

The safety car was brought out on lap three to clear cars from the final turn which bunched the whole field together again. Reade was clever however on the restart and got a good run up to the final corner as the safety car peeled off and gave himself the chance to hold his lead. He absorbed the pressure put on by Polley, Cross and Byrne and held firm. In his efforts to get by Reade, Polley let Cross go round his outside at turn one which then left himself on the outside for turn two and thus both Cross and Byrne got through. 

Polley briefly got back past Byrne at turn two on the following lap but slipped back to Tim Murray and going into turn three both collided and Polley ended up in the gravel and out of the race. A disaster for the pole sitter. Murray got going again but had to pull off shortly afterwards with mechanical trouble. At the end of this eventful lap Cross made his move down Reade's inside at the final corner to take the lead. Byrne now also closed up in third aiming for second at turn one and pulled off a great move around the outside to move up to second place. 

Mark Reade, Leastone, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, Jack Byrne, Sheane, and Tim Murray Sheane, during the first round of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg

Gavin Buckley was also now up to fourth and right in the mix to get a podium spot. Byrne tried as hard as ever to get by Cross renewing their battle from last year and providing excellent racing for the onlookers. To add to this already exciting race Donal Downey had a lockup into the Esses and took to the gravel trap bringing out the yellow flags. This then meant the leaders could not pass in that area or anywhere until the next green flag. While coming upon a back marker on the exit of the Esses, Cross hesitated slightly with the back marker as there no flag out where a green one should been, causing Byrne to hit him and Reade to run wide and allow Buckley up to third. Try as he might on the final lap Reade ran out of time to get his podium spot back. Cross yet again took the chequered flag with Byrne right behind in second. 

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, Mark Reade, Leastone, and Gavin Buckley, Sheane, during the first round of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg

The current champion took another win but it was far from straight forward which he agreed with afterwards 

" I'm happy with that but I was lucky also as after Jack hit me, I felt the engine move going down the straight and it was only when I got into Parc Ferme I saw the gearbox casing had broke and also an engine mount." 

Owen Kelly, Sheane, took first place in the Motorsport.ie rookie Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

It was not all bad news for Reade though as he claim maximum points in the VW Spares 'B' Championship. Another great drive came from Owen Kelly, the Donegal man finishing fifth overall and taking maximum  points in the Motorsport.ie Rookie championship. 

Results:

Selco.ie National Championship

1st Anthony Cross

2nd Jack Byrne

3rd Gavin Buckley

VW Spares 'B' Championship

1st Mark Reade

2nd Jordan Kelly

3rd Rob Fleming

Motorsport.ie 'Rookie' Championship

1st Owen Kelly

2nd Michael O'Callaghan

3rd Mark Sheppard