­­­Flemming takes Maiden VW Spares Win At Kirkistown

24-06-2023: Robert Flemming, Sheane, with his trophy after winning the VW Spares Formula Vee race at Kirkistown. Kirkistown, Kirkcubbin, Co.Down. Picture: Barry Cregg

 Curragh man Robert Flemming took his maiden win in the VW Spares Formula Vee championship race at Kirkistown Racing Circuit in county Down on Saturday. Qualifying took place on Friday in damp conditions but it suited the Kildare man as he took pole position from championship rival Sean McCallion. This has been the case this year as both men head the front row each time.

As the lights went out Flemming who immediately had gearbox problems off the line. Sean McCallion jumped the start and received a time penalty even though by turn two he was in the lead. McCallion stretched his lead quiet quickly although he was unaware of his time penalty.

24-06-2023: Colm O'Loughlen, Leastone, leads Robert Flemming, Sheane, and Sean Hynes, Sheane, during the VW Spares Formula Vee race at KIrkistown. Kirkistown, Kirkcubbin, Co.Down. Picture: Barry Cregg

Fellow Kildare driver Colm O’Loughlen in his Leastone also made a good start and began to close in on the front two. However, after the initial laps were completed and the race began to settle down amazingly the front three all began to have mechanical problems. Flemming’s gearbox problems didn’t improve and began to drop back from McCallion and to O’Loughlen. Just as it looked like O’Loughlen could move up a place his car developed a handling problem.

Things went from bad to worse for McCallion, he overshot at the hairpin due to a sticking throttle and a couple of laps later he had to enter the pits as an anti-roll bar broke. He got back out, but his chance of victory was gone.

24-06-2023: Sean McCallion, Sheane, during the VW Spares Formula Vee race at KIrkistown. Kirkistown, Kirkcubbin, Co.Down. Picture: Barry Cregg

Up front Flemming was managing his gearbox problem well and now moved into the lead. Another Formula Vee newcomer for this round Sean Hynes was putting in a good showing running in third, joining the battle with Flemming, and O’Loughlen. By tripping each other up they let Felmming break the all-important tow round the fast high-speed circuit.

24-06-2023: Robert Flemming, Sheane, leads Colm O'Loughlen, Leastone, on his way to winning the VW Spares Formula Vee race at KIrkistown. Kirkistown, Kirkcubbin, Co.Down. Picture: Barry Cregg

Then with two laps to go the handling problem O’Loughlen had got worse forcing him to retire. It turned out to be a part connecting the front right suspension to the damper had broken and became too dangerous to continue. Another chance for a maiden win gone. All this let Flemming to cruise home and take his maiden win. It was well deserved as he too had mechanical problems several times this year robbing him of victories.

24-06-2023: Robert Flemming, Sheane, on his way to winning the VW Spares Formula Vee race at KIrkistown. Kirkistown, Kirkcubbin, Co.Down. Picture: Barry Cregg

Speaking after the race the winner was happy with the win but knew he had a bit of luck on his side. “I’m delighted to get the win. I had a gearbox problems from pretty much from the word go. I couldn’t get third gear which hampered me out of the hairpin and chicane. I had a good battle with Colm O’Loughlen until he went out but at least we got the win in the end and had a good days racing.”

 

 

VW Spares ‘B’ Championship

1^st Robert Flemming

2^nd Sean Hynes

3^rd Colin Lewis