Blackburn Battles To Win Round 7 - Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

Colm Blackburn winner of the Selco.ie Formula Vee championship race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

The Selco.ie Formula Vee championship circus travelled north of the border to Kirkistown Racing Circuit in county Down for round seven of the series. The top three Colm Blackburn, Jack Byrne and Gavin Buckley were all out to maintain their bid for success. Byrne just back from his honeymoon in time for the round needed a good points haul as he cannot afford anymore bad rounds as he has used up his dropped rounds in the last two events. Blackburn found himself in similar circumstances to Byrne but Buckley doesn't fair much better leaving all three under the same pressure. 

Buckley always goes well in qualifying at Kirkistown but never converts a pole into a victory. He again starred by taking pole, could he keep the number one position this time? Blackburn claimed second with Byrne in third but both were over 0.5 seconds off Buckley's pace. As the lights went out Blackburn looked to have got the jump but Buckley held the outside line to take the lead. Byrne stayed in third but the young newcomers Niall O'Mara and Charlie Hart were not far behind along with 'B' race winner Kieran Hannan.

Gavin Buckley, Leastone, leads Colm Blackburn, Leastone, and Jack Byrne, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Kirkistown, Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

It didn't take long for the front three to show their extra pace over the others as by lap three they had broken clear of the pack. The winner would come from one of these three, just who it would be was to be worked out. Despite the edge in qualifying Buckley had no extra advantage in pace during the race. Blackburn and Byrne battled leaving a slight gap to Buckley for a lap but a great run out of the chicane saw Blackburn draw alongside Buckley towards the hairpin on lap four. Buckley held his lie but now all three were nose to tail. 

Jack Byrne, Sheane, leads Colm Blackburn, Leastone, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race.
Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

By the halfway mark Buckley still leads despite the efforts of Blackburn who set the fastest lap of the race in doing so. Then a mistake by Buckley at turn two where he spun dropping him out of contention but still managed to hold on to third place. Yet again the pole to victory eludes him. Now it was down to two and Byrne set to close in on Blackburn which he did by the end of the following lap. Time was running out though so a move had to be made soon. He did this with an excellent move round the outside of turn one to give him the better line for turn two. It was hard but fair racing between the same guys who took each other out in Mondello at round 5. 

Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Colm Blackburn, Leastone, and Jack Byrne, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

A late move a the hairpin saw Blackburn retake the lead but there was nothing in it. Time was running out but it was shaping up to be another Formula Vee thriller in the final two laps. Sadly we would not get the grandstand finish as Lee Flynn crashed at the chicane due to steering failure, thankfully no harm done to the Kilkenny man but the safety car had to be brought out which meant the race would finish under it due to the allotted race time used up.

Colm Blackburn, Leastone, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, on his way to winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee championship race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

A shame but a win is a win and just shows how important it is to lead of the finish line. 

A happy Colm Blackburn gave his view of his race afterwards: Yeah that my third win this year, it was hard fought and a great race with Gavin and Jack. I struggled here last year but got it together today to take the win. My first win was here so I guess Kirkistown is a good track for me really. Its good to get the win for the championship also".

Charlie Hart, Leastone, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Niall O'Mara, Leastone, leads Paul Lewis, Leastone, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

A great drive by Robert Flemming to fourth saw him get a good result after his nightmare 'B' Championship race earlier. Same goes for Niall O'Mara who got a great run after earlier mechanical problems to finish 8th amongst more experienced drivers.

Results

Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

1st Colm Blackburn

2nd Jack Byrne

3rd Gavin Buckley