O' Connor Does The Double

Enda O'Connor on his way to winning round four of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

With no sign of the temperatures reducing ahead of round four. The drivers had more than that to worry about as they had to find an answer in stopping Enda O'Connor from taking a clean sweep of pole, two wins and fastest lap over the weekend. Some adjustments were going to be made by Philip Sheane who didn't show the pace he had in the opening two rounds of the season. " Im going to make a couple of adjustments as the front left brake kept locking up on me in the previous race so hopefully it will be better for this one" said Philip ahead of round four. 

Philip SHeane on his way to second place during four of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Again O'Connor was on pole ahead of Derek Roddy. Again it was O'Connor who got the better start off the line and lead into turn one. Roddy tucked in behind and set out to keep O'Connor honest and not let him break away. Easier said than done when you have a hard charger like Philip Sheane behind you. It was like so many other races gone before where a driver has to balance his attack and his defence at the same time. The leader didn't have to worry with a clear road ahead O'Connor got his head down and began to open a gap like he did in round three. Sheane knew he could not afford to let his fellow county man get to far ahead. 

Derek Roddy on his way to third place during round four of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

By lap two he made his move and got by Roddy, who it has to be said was driving very well and putting in the times. Sheane began to close in, his car clearly handling better this time out. Behind the front three again Mark Keenan and Chris Dunne had their own battle with Keenan getting by on lap two but having to defend for the rest of the race. While the international track layout provides more overtaking opportunities it does tend to spread the car out and any slight mistake makes it hard for the driver to get it back. While his initial attack drew O'Connor back towards him Sheane ran out of steam and could not get close enough to really pressure the Brittas Bay man. O'Connor maintained his gap and the 2015 champion in the end won convincingly by 2.6 seconds. However he just missed out on a full clean sweep as Roddy took fastest lap on the penultimate lap. 

Derek Roddy on his way to third place during round four of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Speaking with Enda after the race he was delighted to win after only jumping into the car on the friday test day before the race." Yes the race went very well for me and got out into the lead at the start as in round three and maintained the gap to Philip and Derek behind me. The track conditions were much better for that race and the car ran faultlessly. I have to thank Brendan for giving me the chance to use it this weekend although he has no excuses now when he gets back into it!" 

Enda O'Connor on his way to winning round four of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Would the fact that winning two races in a row since his last one off drive at last September's Leinster Trophy meeting entice him out again this year? 

" No I can't commit to a season I just have too much on at work and helping to run the class also. Plus if I went out the other lads would be giving out about not getting a win for themselves!" Weather or not he does or does not come out again this year he showed the rest a clean pair of heels in rounds there and four of this years series.

Another happy man was Derek Roddy who got two podiums to get his championship right on track and showed a great turn of pace by taking fasted lap in race two. " I am delighted how this weekend went after the disasters of rounds one and two. Two podiums and a fastest lap makes the hard work put in worth while and plus I couldn't let Enda get too big a head!"