Cross Makes It Four In Row With Round 9 Win - The Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Gavin Buckley, Sheane, Jordan Kelly, Sheane, and Tim Murray, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo Barry Cregg.

With a double win at the previous rounds of the Selco.ie Formula Vee championship at Kirkistown two weeks ago, Dublin man Anthony Cross had put one hand on the series trophy. A finish of sixth place at the latest round at Mondello Park would give him yet another title and a run of four straight championship wins. A fantastic achievement that proves the pre season favourite tag was correctly applied back in June. He gave himself the best chance to do it in style by taking pole position, albeit, right at the death in qualifying by 0.300 of a second from Jordan Kelly.

Tim Murray, Sheane, leads Jordan Kelly, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo Barry Cregg.

The weather was dry but the track was still damp in some areas after a heavy shower an hour before the race. This can play havoc as drivers can undo any good work done by hitting a damp patch resulting in a spin or going off track completely. On the other hand if one was to brave it out and take a risk it could move them up the field. As the lights went out both front row men got a good start but Cross held his line around turn one to hold the lead. Kelly slotted in behind, his car always looking slightly out of shape. Dan Polley, Gavin Buckley and Tim Murray followed suit all nose to tail nobody risking anything on the opening lap. Halfway round the second lap it looked as if the front two were starting to open a gap, but as they emerged from the double right hander on the international loop it was Polley who was now in second place.

Dan Polley, Sheane, leads Gavin Buckley, Sheane, and Tim Murray, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo Barry Cregg.

This however let Cross get a gap which he built up very quickly and by lap four he had a gap of just over a second on the pack behind. Initially it looked as though Polley was going to reel in Cross but it faded and he was back to third as Buckley got past on the inside into turn one. Kelly and Murray were now hounding Polley  and this group of four were well clear of Jack Byrne and Owen Kelly who were having an almighty battle between themselves. It was surprising to see Byrne so far down at Mondello as he was the master around the Kildare circuit last year. Then at the half way stage the safety car was brought out undoing all Cross's hard work and also that of Buckley who managed to pull clear of the battle for second.

Owen Kelly, Sheane, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, and Robert Fleming, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo Barry Cregg.

As the safety car pulled in Cross lead the field out of the final corner and held his lead and continued from where he left off. Mechanical problems forced Dan Polley to retire, a shame as he had been looking strong early on. Jordan Kelly, though was becoming fed up behind Buckley and mad yet another one of his lunges down his inside into turn four. Buckley was wise to it and held his line and it was the young Donegal man who ended up loosing time on the exit which gave Murray the run up the hill and get by at the next corner. After enjoying a healthy lead and having no pressure for once, Cross now had to keep his cool as Buckley who had to win to keep his title hopes alive. Like many times before Cross didn't flinch and kept his cool never looking like making a mistake let alone making one, as Buckley tried his best. In fact it would have been easier for Cross to let Buckley by as they had a gap over the rest of the field and he still would win the title. That said, a true champion seals a title with a win if its on and with only a couple of laps to go he wasn't going to play it safe. Tim Murray did close up to them on the final lap but it was too late as Cross led the trio over the line to take the win and with it his fourth Formula Vee title in a row.

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Gavin Buckley, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo Barry Cregg.

Robert Fleming, Sheane, gets it wrong at the final turn as Donal Downey, Leastone, and Andrew Keogh, Sheane, take avoiding action during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo Barry Cregg.
 

A typical relaxed Cross wasn't going to shout his achievement from the rooftops after the race, " It's great to win the title again but it wasn't easy, there's a lot of lads out there now on a similar pace. It has been a good year I won a few races and the Holmpatrick trophy too which is nice. Thanks to dad for his help all year and the championship organisers for getting the show on the road again during Covid." 

Donal Downey, Leastone, in action during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo Barry Cregg.

It is a fantastic achievement and in a competitive time in Formula Vee. He may not always win, but he is rarely off the podium if he doesn't and that was the key to his championship this year. It was also a great race for the less experienced drivers lead by Donal Downey showing great pace coming home in seventh with Andrew Keogh, Anthony Conway, and David O'Loughlin to round out the top ten. The front three in the end may have broke away but there was battles right throughout the field and with those new names in the top ten in bodes well for next year. Before that there is one more trip up north to Kirkistown on the 26th of September for the Emerson Fittapaldi trophy. Cross won that piece of silverware for the last two years so they will be all out to stop him making it a hat-trick this year.

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Gavin Buckley, Sheane, and Tim Murray, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo Barry Cregg.

It wasn't all bad for the Kelly brothers this weekend as Owen wrapped up the Motorsport.ie 'Star of Tomorrow' Championship after being consistently inside the top six all year and is one who will become stronger again next year no doubt. In the VW Spares Championship it goes right down to the final round for this season between Jordan Kelly and Tim Murray and its anyone's guess who will take that trophy home. One thing though is that is will be a race to watch!

Results 

Selco.ie Formula Vee National Championship

1st Anthony Cross

2nd Gavin Buckley

3rd Tim Murray

VW Spares Championship

1st Tim Murray

2nd Jordan Kelly

3rd Robert Fleming

Motorsport.ie 'Star of Tomorrow' Championship

1st Owen Kelly

2nd Donal Downey

3rd Andrew Keogh