Double Tops For Cullen To Clinch Third Irish Stryker Title

Michael Cullen leads Roger Welaratne on his way to winning both Irish Strykers races. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. 

For the penultimate round of the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Strykers championship drivers took to the International layout at the county Kildare track. Despite missing the third round, series leader Michael Cullen came into this round with a healthy lead over son Victor by finishing either first or second in all races so far. A similar result this weekend will clinch another championship for the Dubliner, to add to his vast collection of national titles he already has. 

Victor Cullen leads Des Meehan during the opening Irish Stryker race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

Dominic Ryan leads Andrew Dalton during the opening Stryker race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

Des Meehan leads Roger Welaratne during the opening Irish Stryker race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

The day started off well by taking pole position in qualifying by 1.2 seconds ahead of son Victor and closest championship rival. The immaculately prepared cars ran by Kevin O'Hara of LOH Motorsport sounded crisp and sharp and clearly were doing the job by locking out the front row. However as the lights went out Des Meehan got a great start and got down the inside of Cullen as they went into turn 1. The international track gives drivers more chance to overtake than their normal races round the national layout but Cullen wasted no time in getting past and into the lead by the end of lap one. Not only that but he pulled out a healthy lead in the process leaving little hope to son Victor by the time he got past Meehan dad was too far ahead. Barring mechanical failure all Cullen senior had to do was keep his pace up and bring the car home.

Niall McFadden leads Colin Marnane during the opening Irish Stryker race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. 

Brendan Curran leads Darragh Evans during the opening Irish Stryker race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

Pat Bergin in action during the Irish Stryker race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

Darragh Evans in action during the Irish Stryker race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

Michael Cullen on his way to a third Irish Stryker Championship. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

Behind him though Meehan who now was down to third had to battle with Roger Welaratne and Andrew Dalton all race long for the final step on the podium. All three looked to be working hard behind the wheel between understeer and oversteer all would gain and then loose time to each other. It was clean racing though and provided entertainment for the onlookers although Darragh Evans provide that on his own, his car full of opposite lock on the exit of turn three for most of the race and also a full 360 on his approach to the penultimate corner. Niall McFadden and Colin Marnane had a great battle all race long with Marnane coming out the better. Meehan came out on top in the battle for third but ended up eleven seconds adrift of the top two.

Ahead Cullen took his foot off the gas on the final lap to lead home son Victor and to take the title for the second year in a row.

For the second race the top six on the grid were reversed as is normal practice in the championship and Dominc Ryan headed the front row alongside Andrew Dalton. The windy overcast day had began to drop a slight shower of rain ahead of the start but not enough to declare a wet race. Meehan lead the field but just as the opening lap was ending he went off and hit the barriers hard which brought out the red flags. Thanks to the medical team and track marshals in doing their job perfectly and thankfully Des didn't suffer any serious injuries. 

Andrew Dalton lead Roger Welaratne during the Irish Stryker race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

When the race was restarted time was limited due to the incident resulting in a shortened race. Nonetheless it was entertaining from the off as Michael Cullen sliced through the field on the opening lap and battled with Welaratne early on but once past, like race one he pulled away easily. Sadly for Victor Cullen while in a great battle with Walaratne, Dalton, Marnane and Dominic Ryan his gearbox cried enough and had to pull in. the four way dice was down to three with a couple of laps to go Marnane dropped back but it was a photo finish for second and third with Dalton getting the runner up spot by 0.58 of a second. 

So a perfect weekend again for Cullen taking another double and his third championship with it. It is a great achievement for someone who has won so much over the years to still have the hunger to win and the motivation. 

Michael Cullen on his way to his second win of the day in the Irish Stryker Championship. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. 

Michael Cullen on his way to his second win of the day in the Irish Stryker Championship. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

"I am delighted to win the Stryker championship again in 2024 and feel very grateful to have had LOH Motorsport prepare and build the fastest and most reliable cars for myself and Victor these last few years. We are going to leave Strykers next year for a couple of different challenges but we hope to return to the class in 2026 or 2027. It has been a fabulous experience racing these exciting cars with a great bunch of other drivers. I have never experienced such friendship and camaraderie in any class of racing over the last 40 years and I look forward to watching the class next year from the sidelines. Before that though there is one more round in October!"