Byrne Back To Winning Ways

Jack Byrne with his trophy after winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

For round two of the selco.ie Formula Vee championship at Mondello Park on Saturday severe winds from storm Kathleen were an added challenge for the drivers. Lap times suffered but the action was not. After missing round one last years new kid on the block Ronan Doherty, was back. He certainly didn't show any signs of being rusty, as he he took pole position ahead of Gavin Buckley who won two weeks ago in the season opener. Jack Byrne from Annacurragh lined up in third with Kieran Hannan in fourth showing great pace, the B championship driver mixing well with the national drivers. 

Ronan Doherty, Sheane, qualified on pole on his first race back, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.Picture: Barry Cregg. 

As the lights went out though it was disaster for Doherty who immediately had a gearbox problem and went from first to last by the first corner. His car would not select third from second on the run to turn one. While he got off the line well in doing so getting ahead of Buckley who tucked in behind, he slowed when the problem occurred also slowing Buckley. This gave Byrne a great chance to take the lead round the outside. It helped those on the outside as Andy Keogh also jumped up the order into second with Kieran Hannan third. 

Byrne extended his lead over the next couple of laps as those behind began to swap places and slowing each other down. Hannon was into second by the end of lap two with Keogh defending from Buckley. Doherty however was on a charge. With only two gears used around Mondello, Doherty was able to overcome his initial problem to make his way up through the field. Colm Blackburn was lying in fifth looking to pounce which he did on lap five with a brilliant move on the outside of turn one where got by both Buckley and Keogh.

Top: Jack Byrne leads the field into the first corner, Above,: Kieran Hannan, Leastone, leads Andy Keogh, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co.Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Up front Byrne was still in control maintaining the gap but Doherty was now into fifth. A couple of laps later it was all change again as Blackburn dropped to fifth as Buckley and Doherty moved up and had now caught Hannan who was diving the best he ever had in Formula Vee. Byrne's charge up front was not going as well as it had before and the gap was coming down. By three quarters distance Hannan lost his hard fought second place to Buckley and then Doherty who then pulled a late move into the final corner to take second. Now with clear road ahead could he catch Byrne? 

Top: Jack Byrne, Sheane, Middle, Kieran Hannan, Leastone, Bottom: Gavin Buckley lead Colm Blackburn, Leastone, and Ronan Doherty, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, DOnore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

It looked very possible as the gap began to close but then Buckley repassed to take second two laps later which halted their progress. Time was now running out and the chance to get right up to Byrne had gone. All the leader had to do was bring it home, which he did to take his first win of the year. A great result for the Wicklow man who had a tough year last year after a heavy accident which ruined his season. Doherty tried a late run to the line to take second but Buckley held on but only just.

Further down the field a great battle between the leaders father Ger Byrne, Paul Lewis, Finn Gillespie and Brian Hall raged from the word go. Places being swapped several times throughout and anyone's for the taking. Then with a lap to go Gillespie and Hall collided at turn four. It was unfortunate for both who drove very well and it was just a racing incident that happens but both will be back out next time. 

Top: Colm Blackburn, Leastone, leads Gavin Buckley, Sheane, Middle: Paul Lewis, Leastone, leads Ger Byrne, Sheane, Conor Melia, Sheane, on his way to winning the Ability I.T. Rookie championship race, Bottom: Gavin Buckley, left, Sheane, and Ronan Doherty, right, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Pictures Barry Cregg.

Speaking after the race the winner was as much relieved to get the race over as he was to win it. 

" I got a great run to turn one when I seen the two boys slow down ( Doherty and Buckley) so I stuck to the outside line and got the lead. I put the head down to try and build a gap. Then the clutch start to slip and just tried to hold the gap but then later when they started to catch me I was praying for the chequered flag to come out. Thankfully it did and we only had one race today as I wouldn't have got another race out of it."

Jack Byrne, Sheane, celebrates after winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

It will be a big year for the Annacurragh man who will miss the next two rounds as he is not due to be in Bishopscourt in May and in July will be marrying his fiancé Michelle.

Jack and Michelle with their dog Lola.

Results:

Selco.ie National Championship

1st Jack Byrne

2nd Gavin Buckley

3rd Ronan Doherty

Tyredoctor.ie 'B' Championship

1st Kieran Hannan

2nd Andy Keogh

3rd Paul Lewis

Ability I.T. Rookie Championship

1st Conor Melia

2nd Simon Rudd

3rd Charlie Hart