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| Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, Gavin Buckley, Sheane, Lee Newsome, Sheane, and Ronan Doherty, Sheane, on his way to winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee Race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Picture: Barry Cregg. |
The new Selco.ie Formula Vee national championship kicked off on Saturday in Kirkistown Racing Circuit in county Down. Bohernabreena man and current champion Anthony Cross once again took another victory at the northern track which is located along the beautiful Ards Peninsula. Those who follow the results could be forgiven for thinking it was just another win by the champion, but the results sheet does not tell the full story. It hides the truth that this victory was one of the hardest fought victories for the Dubliner. The depth in the class this season alone has risen with any of the first eight in this race itself were more than capable of taking the win.
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| Colm Blackburn, Leastone, leads Gavin Buckley, Sheane, and Jack Byrne, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee Race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Picture: Barry Cregg. |
It was yet another belter for the spectators to witness with the lead changing several times but Cross proved yet again why he is going for six championships in a row. He never panics while lying in the middle of the pack or if he is at the front of it. If not heading the field he picks off his competitors one by one and is always in the right place near the end of the race to challenge for the win.
It began with Gavin Buckley topping the timesheets in qualifying but most impressive was returning former champion Colm Blackburn who joined him on the front row in his first race back. Twenty six cars took to the grid for the national race but sadly earlier VW Spares race winner Sean Newsome ran out of time in repairing his car to get out for this one. As the lights went out Blackburn got the better start over Buckley and lead the field round turn one, Cross tried to follow but had to slot into third. Several cars had a coming together passing the start/finish line when Robert Fleming, Colm O'Loughlen and Andy Keogh collided. Unfortunately, Fleming was race was run and could not get back going. Keogh and O'Loughlen did but dropped an enormous amount of time to the rest of the pack.
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| Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, and Jack Byrne, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee Race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Picture: Barry Cregg. |
Back at the front Buckley got by Blackburn down the inside at the hairpin. Jack Byrne also followed through and by the end of the front straight it was three cars abreast with Cross being the biggest looser dropping down to fifth. Newcomer Ronan Doherty was right behind in sixth showing great pace as he did in the days earlier race and his LOH Motorsport Rookie Championship victory was no flash in the pan. Buckley lost his lead by turn two to Byrne but pulled off a great move around the outside at the hairpin which gave him the inside line by turn one to retake the lead. Lee Newsome was now into third and Cross also moved up a place to fourth.
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| Jack Byrne, Sheane, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, Lee Newsome, Sheane, and Ronan Doherty, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee Race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Picture: Barry Cregg. |
Byrne repeated the same move to Buckley but it took until rounding turn two before he got ahead and into the lead. Again the hairpin saw a lead change as Buckley got by to lead an eight car train down the main straight. It was really settling into thriller and this was still only round one of the season! Dan Polley was also keeping in touch in sixth. As mentioned before the slipstream was coming into effect each time they raced towards the final hairpin corner. Buckley used it to again get past Byrne to head the field. It was hard to keep up with all the changes for the lead as well as the cars in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth places!
Cross however was now up to third as the laps left were running down, The gap to fourth had opened up enough to give the top three some breathing room. It wasn't the front threes first rodeo in this situation and all have the upmost respect for each other, and trust along with it while racing at this high speed track. Buckley again took the lead at turn two and they were now catching slower traffic.
With no blue flags used to warn slower drivers they could only stick to their own racing line and let those behind worry about getting past. Byrne and Cross began to battle allowing Buckley lead for a couple of laps with just three more to go. A lap later Cross was up to second and getting a great run out of the chicane took the lead into the hairpin. Buckley hit back straight away taking the lead at turn one to hold it only for half a lap as he went three abreast with Cross and Byrne into the hairpin to drop back to second to Cross and then to third to Byrne. Lee Newsome got past on the inside of turn three to move into third place blowing any chance for Buckley's shot at victory. It was still anyone's. Exiting the chicane for the final time they caught two backmarkers which allowed it a straight fight between Byrne and Cross.
Cross held his wider line round the hairpin for the final time and got enough drive to win the drag to the chequered flag to take the win by only 0.86 of a second! A fantastic race and one that had everything in it and everything motor racing should have. Another race that showed why everyone still has to beat current champion Cross who again proved why he has won so much in recent years.
Speaking after the race a very happy winner explained his race win.
" That was tough, there were a lot of lads on the pace today. I didn't think I had a chance of a win half way through. Gavin, Jack and Lee were flying as was young Ronan Doherty who will be a race winner for sure this year. I just tried to keep out of trouble and not make mistakes. I knew it was going to be important to get a win here to lay down a marker for the year. It is important for a championship to get a win at the start of the season."
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| Anthony Cross, centre, with Jack Byrne, left, and Lee Newsome, after winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee Race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Picture: Barry Cregg. |
Results:
Selco.ie Formula Vee National Championship
1st Anthony Cross
2nd Jack Byrne
3rd Lee Newsome
4th Gavin Buckley
5th Ronan Doherty
6th Dan Polley
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