Monday 26 July 2021

Roddy Takes Maiden Win - Formula Sheane Round 6

A delighted Derek Roddy with his trophy after taking his maiden win in Formula Sheane at round six. Photo: Barry Cregg.

For round six it was Derek Roddy who lined up on pole position this time ahead of Philip Sheane. He had to get the start right this time if he was to have any chance of beating Sheane. He did get the start right and braved the outside line as he went wheel to wheel with Sheane through Debtor's Dip and kept his line into turn two to lead the field. Behind the two front men Mark Keenan made an even better start and was up to third place from sixth by the end of the opening lap. Roddy and Sheane have been battling together on track for the last three rounds so there was no quarter going to be given by either man. 

Philip Sheane lead until 3 laps to go when a cv failed and put him out of the race. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Roddy seeking to get his maiden win was determined to get the job done this time round. However, Sheane had other ideas and was out to do the double. He didn't bide his time and made his move at turn two on the second lap. Roddy clung on as best he could for the next few laps but Sheane was on another level and began to take large chunks of time out of his rival over the next number of laps. This was also due to Roddy's car loosing its edge that it had at the beginning the race. A recurrence of the issue he spoke about after round five reared its head. By now Sheane was cruising with only three laps to go drifting his car round turn two, a sight to behold for those looking on.

Derek Roddy, Sheane, on his way to take his maiden win in Formula Sheane at round six. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Motor racing car be cruel at times and just as he look to have win number two of the day in the bag, a cv joint let go and his race was run. What should have been his first double turned into what could have been. The chance to claw back lost points from the opening round gone too. 


Tom Foley, Sheane leads Mark Keenan, top and Chris Dunne above on his way to taking his maiden podium in Formula Sheane. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Speaking afterwards the Wicklow man reflected on his day. "  It's was a last minute decision to come up this morning due to work commitments so we got no testing in. I'm glad to have got a win in the first race, Derek was catching me until he made a mistake and it let the gap grow again. It's disappointing not make it a double. I just felt a bang and then had no drive. When I got out of the car I saw the cv joint had gone and maybe a result from the shock letting go in Mondello, I won't know for sure until I get home. It's a pity but that's racing."

Derek Roddy, Sheane, on his way to take his maiden win in Formula Sheane at round six. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Take nothing away from Roddy though he has been on the pace since round one and with the mechanical problems in the opening two races so far this year he has lost out on race time over the others. He admitted it this one was handed to him but he was still happy to get his first win. " I'm really happy to get the win today, I know Philip had a problem but as they say 'to finish first, first you have to finish'. I got a good start and held Philip off then he got by me at the start of lap two. I tried to hang on to him but the car lost power again and there was nothing I could do. I'll have to get it checked out during the week and see what's happening."


Behind the front three the race was between Tom Foley, Chris Dunne and Richie Adams. The three newcomers swapped places all race, with Foley coming out on top and taking the win in the Scholarship class. Sadly Richie Adams retired with a lap to go with mechanical problems. With Philip Sheane retiring it promoted Foley up to third overall giving two rookies their first taste of being on the podium overall this weekend after Chris Dunne did in round five.

Next time out it is back to Mondello Park where Richard Kearney has to win to keep his hopes of a title defence alive.

Results:

National Championship

1st Derek Roddy

2nd Mark Keenan

3rd Tom Foley

Scholarship Class

1st Tom Foley

2nd Chris Dunne

The next rounds of the Formula Sheane Championship will take place in Mondello Park on the 7th and 8th of August.

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