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| Derek Roddy leads Richie Adams and Richard Kearney on the opening lap of the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg. |
The Formula Sheane circus made their way to Mondello Park for the ninth round the 2021 championship. The series trophy is still up for grabs but now only two drivers have a chance to claim it. To make it even more interesting this years title could go to a class newcomer if Philip Sheane takes it but the consistency shown by Derek Roddy since round three has brought him to be the second contender to take home the silverware.
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| Philip Sheane leads Richard Kearney during the Formula Vee race, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg. |
Back on to the international track for this meeting and the final trip to the county Kildare circuit for the year, meant the drivers would have a more physical challenge than the shorter national track last time out. The weather was going to be mixed going by the forecast so setup was crucial and driving had to be more precise if conditions varied. At the last Mondello race Philip Sheane dominated in the wet conditions and continued his form in qualifying this time out by taking pole by a massive 3.997 seconds ahead of Derek Roddy. If the weather stayed wet it would be hard to see him being caught.
Richard Kearney spoke of his wet weather troubles at the last meeting and again wasn't confident after qualifying. " I can't figure out the problem with the car when it is wet it may need a full strip down to check the chasis for cracks. If it dries up I know I have the pace to be up the front but only if it's dry."
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| Derek Roddy leads Philip Sheane and Richard Kearney during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg. |
He must have prayed hard in the break in between qualifying and the race as the weather brightened up and the sun dried the track significantly. There still were some damp patches to look out for but by in large it was a dry track. As the lights went out it was Roddy who made a brilliant start to beat Sheane off the line to lead into turn one. Sheane's bad start allowed both Kearney and also Richie Adams to get by with Adams moving into second at turn two. Sheane wasn't down for long as he passed Kearney into turn three and a lovely move on the outside of turn four demoted Adams down another place. Kearney followed Sheane and was also passed Adams on the run onto the international loop. Roddy in his freshly painted car set about making a break from his pursuers and had made a small gap by the end of lap two.
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| Philip Sheane leads Richard Kearney during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg. |
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| Derek Roddy leads Richard Kearney and Philip Sheane during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg. |
However Sheane and Kearney worked together and by lap four they were right on the back of Roddy. Now we would see for the first time since he got his engine problems sorted, if Roddy could match bothe Kearney and Sheane in a full race. Would Sheane have more pace and pull away if he got by or would Kearney repeat his first round dominance prior to his mechanical problems. Firt both had to get past Roddy who was driving his best race of the year if not ever as he soaked up the pressure from the two younger men in second and third.
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| Philip Sheane leads Richie Adams and Richard Kearney on the opening lap of the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg. |
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| Richie Adams leads Chris Dunne during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg. |
Kearney made his move by getting past Sheane on lap six proving he did have his car sorted for a dry track but try as he might he could not break Roddy and by the penultimate lap he was back to third. Even with these changes the first three were nose to tail to whole way. Sheane again tried hard on the last lap, even taking the fastest time with 1.52.676 but Roddy had it covered to take a thoroughly deserved win and really keep the fight alive for the championship. Sheane did his best and second meant he didn't loose as much points to Roddy if he had finished third. Kearney tried but just couldn't find a way by either men. A good result and another podium for the Carlow man who has had a year of mechanical hell so far.
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| Derek Roddy on his way to winning the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg. |
Speaking after the race the victor was both joyed and relieved that he got the win." I really enjoyed that, it was a great race and so hard to keep the two boys behind me the whole race. Thanks to Enda for setting up the car perfectly it didn't miss a beat."
In the Scholarship class Garret McKenna took the win after taking the lead at the end of lap one. He got away from the chasing pack of Richie Adams, Chris Dunne and Tom Foley who all had swapped places throughout the race until Foley retired with a broke rose joint. Dunne seemed to have second place but was pipped on the penultimate lap by Adams. It was another great battle to watch and great to see the newcomers now all on the same pace.
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| Garrett McKenna on his way to victory in the scholarship class during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg. |
Results
Formula Sheane National Championship
1st Derek Roddy
2nd Philip Sheane
3rd Richard Kearney
Scholarship Class
1st Garrett McKenna
2nd Richie Adams
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