Buncranna Man Bags Second Win Of The Year at Round 5 - Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

Jordan Kelly, Sheane, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, on his way to winning the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Buncranna man Jordan Kelly dominated round five of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship with a lights to flag victory at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit in county Down on Sunday. Kelly who started from pole position ahead of championship leader Anthony Cross. Just like in Kirkistown, the other track the series visits in Northern Ireland, the long straights and fast bends seem to suit Kelly and his driving style as he always goes well on them.

Jordan Kelly, Sheane, leads the field on the opening lap on his way to winning the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

As the lights went out he got the better start but as often is the case at Bishopscourt the long run to turn one gives those behind time to draft past with the leader helpless to defend his position. It happened before in round four which put him down the field and caused him the chance of a win as he had to spend the rest of the race climbing back through the field and getting caught up in other peoples battles. This time however he stayed ahead and lead the field round the flout out left hand bend. Cross got beaten up a bit at the start and lost several place dropping to fifth as Sean Newsome moved into second with Donal Downey in third. 

 Sean Newsome, Sheane, leads Lee Newsome, Sheane and Michael O'Callaghan,, Leastone, during  the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Kelly set about making a gap to the rest in an effort to break the tow so he couldn't be caught by the other in his slip-steam along the long fast straights. This he did as by the end of the first lap he had a five car length lead. With weather conditions perfect it was shaping up to be a typical hard fought battle between the rest to battle for second place. Although he lost place at the start Cross was now moving up and he had to if he were to have any hope of catching Kelly. By lap two he was into fourth and a lap later into second and out to catch Kelly. Newsome ran into mechanical trouble as he did in round four dropping down the field which was a shame as he had looked strong. 

 Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, Lee Newsome, Sheane and Michael O'Callaghan,, Leastone, during  the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Jack Byrne winner of round four was up to fourth trying to find a way past Gavin Buckley but with everyone lapping so close in times it was hard for anyone to find a way by. Kelly was now 2 seconds ahead and and setting fastest lap of the race in doing so with a 1.10.037sec lap. Michael O Callaghan was have his best drive to date lying in seventh for much of the race and battling with Lee Newsome and Donal Downey all the way. The race for the lead was over by the halfway mark as Kelly had pulled the pin and was in no fear of being caught by Cross and both men just reeled off the laps. Third place however, was still up for grabs and a brilliant battle for the final podium place was giving the onlookers plenty to take about.

Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, during  the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Byrne tried everything he knew going on the inside then outside of turn one, inside at both chicanes lap after lap but Buckley defended his place. Sadly for Bynre laps ran out and he had to settle for fourth, though if he had got past earlier in the race it would have been interesting to see if he could have taken the fight to Kelly. That said, Kelly drove superb all race making it look easy with clean lines and never looked out of shape which is somewhat unusual for him.

Jordan Kelly, Sheane, on his way to winning the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

 He took the chequered flag 5.344 seconds clear of Cross and Gavin Buckley in third. A strong performance again and one that should give the Illies man confidence going into the next round at Mondello Park in June. It also gave him another maximum points haul in the VW Spares 'B' Championship to make it a double in class wins! 

Dan Coyne, Sheane, on his way to winning the LOH Motorsport Rookie class during the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

In the LOH Motorsport Rookie Championship class Dan Coyne got the better of Aaron Murray and Stephen Roche. The next round of the champship will take the drivers back to Mondello Park in county Kildare on the 11th and 12th of June. 

Results:

Seclco.ie National Championship

1st Jordan Kelly

2nd Anthony Cross

3rd Gavin Buckley

VW Spares 'B' Championship

1st Jordan Kelly 

2nd Donal Downey

3rd Sean Newsome

LOH Motorsport Rookie Championship

1st Dany Coyne

2nd Aaron Murray

3rd Stephen Roche

Kearney's Double At Bishopscourt - Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane Championship

Richard Kearney, Sheane, on his way to winning the two Formula Sheane races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

For round three of the Airportcar.ie Formula Sheane championship drivers made their way to Bishopscourt Racing Circuit north of the border in county Down. The welcomed change of venue is only used once a year and this year is the first time the class has be back since before the Covid outbreak. The 1.830 mile track is fast and flowing with some quick chicanes and tricky hairpins. 

Weather was good for  qualifying where Richard Kearney wanted to make amends for his DNF in round two last time out at Mondello. With Philip Sheane not taking part this weekend it would be hard to see if Kearney would be pushed hard at one of his favourite tracks. Qualifying times would prove that the others had much time to find. Kearney claimed pole position by a massive 3.209 seconds! Richie Adams was the closest to him which shows he is carrying his good form on from Mondello Park last month. It has to be said the problems of sourcing tyres due to manufacturing problems has left drivers with old rubber which they also have to make last two races. So qualifying times did not tell the full story. 

Richard Kearney, Sheane, leads Mark Keenan, Sheane, on his way to winning the two Formula Sheane races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

As the lights went out Kearney got the best start and lead the field as they made the long run down to the first left hand bend Brock's. Richie Adams got so much wheelspin off the line he dropped to last by the first turn. Mark Keenan got a flyer too and and made up several places off the line and by the end of lap one he was up to second and chasing down Kearney. Chris Dunne held third ahead of Garrett McKenna, and Mike Dermody. Poor Tom Foley in his first race this year ended with mechanical failure on the warm-up lap. Kearney who had a DNF in the previous round at Mondello was out to make amends this time and opened up a sizable lead by the end of lap two. Keenan hung on though and left Dunne behind in third. His speed has carried on from the opening round but try as he might just could close the gap to Kearney. 

Mark Keenan, Sheane, during the two Formula Sheane races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg

By mid race distance the tyre issue all drivers were having came into play with times dropping off and some clearly lacking grip. That said Kearney was driving superb not missing an apex an clearly had his car setup well. Adams had an eventful race, making his way back up to fourth but dropped back to sixth as his car refused to play ball with him and handling problems cost him lots of time. McKenna also had a busy race having a steady run in fourth but at the half way mark he was back to seventh but got himself back up to fourth again by the flag. Kearney reeled off the final laps to take a comfortable win. Keenan continued his good form this season by taking second with Chris Dunne taking third. 

Chris Dunne, Sheane, leads Richie Adams, Sheane, and Garrett McKenna, Sheane, during the two Formula Sheane races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

For race two again Kearney made the best start like in race one and headed the field into turn one. Garrett McKenna got a great start and moved into second ahead of Keenan, not what the Meath publican wanted as he knew Kearney would get away. McKenna's joy was short lived as he spun at the chicane letting not only Kennan through but also the whole field although he did get back up to sixth by the end of the race. Keenan set about closing down Kearney who again was in his groove and setting fastest times each lap. Tom Foley made repairs to his car and had a great run in fourth place keep more experienced drivers like Richie Adams and Garrett McKenna behind him.

Chris Dunne, Sheane, leads Garrett McKenna, Sheane, during the two Formula Sheane races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

 Bishopscourt has been a happy hunting ground for the Leighlindbridge man, who was on course to make it four wins in a row at the county Down track. He got his car setup right and it showed easily keeping his corner speed up through faster sections of the track over his rivals. Chris Dunne had a lonely race in third in his freshly painted car for this round. The race petered out from mid distance with the gaps staying the same. Kearney again reeled off the laps and took an easy win to make it a clean sweep with Pole position, two wins and two fastest laps.

Richard Kearney, Sheane, on his way to winning the two Formula Sheane races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Mark Keenan came home in second to take home a solid points haul. Chris Dunne did the same with his second podium of the weekend. Speaking with the victor after the race he was in expected buoyant form,

 " I'm really happy with winning the two races, the car was on point all weekend and I love the circuit. It has been good to me and that's four in a row now, I'm Over the moon to be honest."

Results:

Race 1

1st Richard Kearney

2nd Mark Keenan

3rd Chris Dunne

Race 2

1st Richard Kearney

2nd Mark Keenan

3rd Chris Dunne

Jack Byrne Takes Round Four In The Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

Jack Byrne, Sheane, on his way to winning round four of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Bishopscourt Race Circuit, Co, Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

For round four of the Selco.ie Formula Vee championship drivers made a welcome return to Bishopscourt Racing Circuit north of the border in county Down. The much-loved venue is only used once a year and this year is the first time the class has be back in three years due to the Covid outbreak. The 1.830 mile track is fast and flowing with some quick chicanes and tricky hairpins.

The weather held up for qualifying where Jordan Kelly and Gavin Buckley fought it out with both men setting their fastest time on lap 9. Kelly edged out Buckley by a mere 0.160 seconds. Jack Byrne also made a big improvement in his qualifying performance by grabbing third just ahead of the ever-improving Donal Downey. As the lights went out it was Kelly who got the best start and lead the field as they made the long run down to the first left hand bend Brock's. With the run from the start-line being so long the field bunches up tightly which can give drivers from rows two or three and good tow and enable them to draft past. this is exactly what happened. Donal Downey from row two used this to his advantage and lead the field round the very fast first bend.

Donal Downey, Leastone, leads the field into turn one during round four of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Bishopscourt Race Circuit, Co, Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Kelly and Buckley tucked in behind with Wicklow man Jack Byrne in fourth in his first meeting with his new engine. Fellow county man Sean Newsome woke up brightly and made his way up to second place by the end of lap one and began to chase the leader. By the exit of the bottom hairpin Newsome was into the lead with Byrne into second and Downey into third.

Sean Newsome, Sheane, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, during round four of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Bishopscourt Race Circuit, Co, Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Newsome from Ashford and Byrne from Annacurragh both looking to get a return to form edged out a gap over Downey who had to worry about Buckley and championship leader Anthony Cross closing in behind. With the nature of the northern circuits having long straights any gap made can be closed in quickly once the car in front hasn't broken the tow. This is when the car behind uses the one in front to break the air and allows them to catch up, as there is no air in front to reduce their speed.

What was three cars, now became a seven-car train and it was shaping up to be another Formula Vee thriller. With no margin for error, it is ultimate trust between drivers to race hard but fair at these high-speed tracks. Newsome tried to break the tow by moving from side to side on the main straight and just held the lead into turn one on lap four but behind it was three abreast with Byrne, Downey and Buckley scrapping for second place. Byrne held it and went one better going up the inside through back straight chicane to get into the lead. Still all to play for and all with Cross, Kelly and Lee Newsome still in this leading group. Then disaster struck for Sean Newsome as an electrical problem slowed him down on the main straight as he watched his rivals and his brother pass by.

Jack Byrne, Sheane, leads Gavin Buckley, Sheane, on his way to winning round four of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Bishopscourt Race Circuit, Co, Down. Photo: Barry Cregg

It was hard luck indeed as he was right there in the hunt for the win. Yellow flags were also out at turn one which helped Byrne's cause as the first overtaking opportunity was now gone for those behind him. That didn't stop Buckley at the hairpin though as he got by Byrne, as also did Cross over Downey to move into third. Pole position man Kelly was there but didn't show his hand just yet although as he did in passing Newsome he lost his nosecone. A lap later Byrne repaid Buckley by pulling the same move on him to take back the lead with four laps to go. Had he gone a lap too early or was it just right?

Jack Byrne, Sheane, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, and Gavin Buckley, Sheane, on his way to winning round four of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Bishopscourt Race Circuit, Co, Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

He did open a slight gap which gave him breathing space as they started another lap and when Buckley began to battle with Cross it extended further. With two laps to go Cross was really chasing him down but that new engine in Byrne's car was doing the job. The Annacurragh man has always had the talent and speed but has struggled in recent races to show the form we had being accustomed to seeing. Buckley was not out of it yet either as he was right behind Cross again which helped Byrne and starting the last lap his lead was up to over two tenths of a second.

By the hairpin though they were all together, but Byrne had the measure of them and held his lines through the final chicane and corners to take the win. A great win for Byrne in what was a very entertaining race. It was also a needed boost for his championship chances this year. 

“It was great to win that race, it was tough out there. I bought a new engine and just go into the car in time for the race and it worked a treat. It has made a massive difference. Hopefully we can kick on from here and start to get some good points at each race meeting from now on”.

Jack Byrne, Sheane, celebrates after winning round four of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Bishopscourt Race Circuit, Co, Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

In the VW Spares 'B' Championship Jordan Kelly by managing to hold off Donal Downey in the closing laps took top honors and all was not lost for Sean Newsome who limped home in third place in the class despite his electrical issues. It shows again how strong this championship is with the front runners also fighting for out right wins too. 

Jordan Kelly, Sheane, on his way to winning the VW Spares 'B' class during round four of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Bishopscourt Race Circuit, Co, Down. Photo: Barry Cregg

In the LOH Motorsport Rookie Championship Aaron Murray took the win from Stephen Roche by finishing just outside the top ten which is a decent effort at his first visit to a track like Bishopscourt. 

Aaron Murray, Sheane, on his way to winning the LOH Motorsport Rookie class during round four of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Bishopscourt Race Circuit, Co, Down. Photo: Barry Cregg

Results 

Selco.ie National Championship

1st Jack Byrne

2nd Anthony Cross

3rd Gavin Buckley

VW Spares 'B' Championship

1st Jordan Kelly

2nd Donal Downey

3rd Sean Newsome

LOH Motorsport Rookie Championship

1st Aaron Murray

2nd Stephen Roche