 |
| 07-May-2023: Colm Blackburn, Leastone, on his way to winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Picture: Barry Cregg. |
Ballyfermot man Colm Blackburn returned to winning ways again at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit on Sunday. The 2017 champion who has made a return to the series again after a four-year break hasn’t been far off the pace since his return. He looked strong in all races so far, this season but fuel pressure issues and silly bodywork parts coming loose in previous rounds put him out of contention for podiums and victories.
This weekend
however, he was back stronger than ever and right in the mix in both Selco.ie
Formula Vee championship races. The fast and flowing nature of the county Down
circuit produced a great qualifying and was as close as you could get with the
top six covered by the same second.
Starting
from 5th for the first race Blackburn made a good get away and began
a race long battle with the top eight drivers of the series. Battling with
Jordan Kelly and Gavin Buckley for much of the race he then broke clear of them
and closed in on the back of fifth place man Jack Byrne with a couple of laps
remaining.
It looked
good for him to grab another place or two before the chequered flag came out as
his pace was as strong if not strong than those ahead. As they made their way
up the back straight a big crash between the Anthony Cross and Jack Byrne gave
him to further positions. Not the way he wanted to get them but thankfully the
two drivers were unhurt, but it did bring out the red flags. The race was
declared a result as it had gone past the distance to restart a new race and it
gave Blackburn good points for the championship. Race two would give him
another chance to take his first win in four years.
 |
| 07-May-2023: Dan Polley, Sheane, leads Lee Newsome, Sheane, Colm Blackburn, Leastone, and Ronan Doherty, Sheane, on his way to winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Picture: Barry Cregg. |
For race two
the weather turned for the worse, still dry but a heavy mist hung over the circuit
not bad enough to cancel but still not ideal for seeing the road ahead as clear
as drivers would like. It was the same for everyone though and it was Dan
Polley who lined up on pole. Anthony Cross amazingly got his car back out with
the help of other drivers and team members after his crash earlier in the day. It has to be said it is a testament to the class where rivals come together to help each other out if they can. It was a major task to get the car fitted with a new front end of parts, as well as setting it up to the best as it could be within the time limit. Blackburn would start from fourth this time. Such was the mist the circuit
commentator could not see the drivers round the hairpin at the far end of the
track.
 |
| 07-May-2023: Anthony Cross repairs his car after a crash in during Selco.ie Formula Vee race 1. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Picture: Barry Cregg. |
Blackburn
held his fourth place by the end of the opening lap. Lee Newsome led from Cross
and Polley with Balckburn being sandwiched by Gavin Buckley and Ronan Doherty
as they round turn one. By the penultimate corner Blackburn was back in fourth
and behind him Doherty and Buckley collided resulting in Buckley ending up on
the grass. It gave Blackburn room to breathe and concentrate on the front three
ahead.
As they
exited the mist next time round Blackburn was into third behind Newsome and
Polley, but the race was stopped when the red flags came out to clear up an
incident. On the restart it was Newsome who led from Cross with Blackburn in
third. The order was reversed one lap later. Blackburn had got to the front and
meant business. He already pulled a slight gap and if he could hold that for
another lap, he could stretch it out so those behind would begin to lose the
tow.
 |
| 07-May-2023: Lee Newsome, Sheane, leads the field during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Picture: Barry Cregg. |
It was working as he began to open the gap to Newsome and Cross. A lap later Cross ran wide holding Newsome up but crucially for Blackburn his lead extended even more. Now he was clear and free from those behind catching his tow. Barring any mechanical problem or driver error the shortened race was his for the taking. Neither happened and he crossed the line to take his first win in four years and give his championship chance a major boost. There is still a long way to go in the season and anything can happen but with a win under his belt Blackburn will be another one to add to the list of title contenders.
 |
| 07-May-2023: Colm Blackburn, Leastone, on his way to winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Picture: Barry Cregg. |
 |
| 07-May-2023: Colm Blackburn, Leastone, on his way to winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Picture: Barry Cregg. |
Speaking after the race a delighted winner gave his view on the race “I am delighted to win again after four years and also it is my first win at this track which makes things even better. After clutch problems in testing and race one I asked myself why I came back to Formula Vee again after winning all 3 Championships before. Then I got this win, and I came to the conclusion that it’s a love that will never die. Long live Formula Vee in Ireland.”
No comments:
Post a Comment