Taylor Does The Double - Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship

Jonathan Taylor with the winners trophies after the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship races. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Mondello Park was the venue for rounds five and six of the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship. After the closely fought races last time out in Bishopscourt, more of the same was expected around the tight 2.2 mile county Kildare circuit. The weather was changing all the time from heavy rain to sunshine, making it difficult for the drivers to make the right setup for their cars. Qualifying was very close with Dave Reynolds taking pole position from local man Kevin McGrath by 0.017 of a second. In fact the top four were covered by 0.344 of a second.

Jonathan Taylor leads the field into turn one during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

 As the lights went out for round five both Reynolds made a bad start allowing the two local men Kevin McGrath and Jonathan Taylor to head the field into turn one with Des Meehan right behind. The track was wet and greasy from the rain earlier in the morning but was beginning to dry. Taylor a former champion with years of experience racing around Mondello Park set to make a break early on and gap the rest. It was working well in the opening laps, with a clear road ahead he let the others battle it out behind him. Fifth place qualifier Mark Meenehan was showing much better pace than in qualifying and was making his way towards Taylor up front. He was past Reynolds and Meehan after the opening laps and began to catch McGrath for second. A lap later he caught and passed him which was important as Taylor had built up a 1.5 second lead.

Kevin McGrath leads Des Meehan and Mark Meenehan during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Kevin McGrath leads and Mark Meenehan during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Dave Reynolds leads Roger Welaratne during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

 By the halfway mark he was on his tail and starting lap seven he out-braked Taylor going into turn one and took the lead but nearly threw it away on the exit of the corner with a big slide. He held it but it allowed Taylor to close back in. Next time round it was Taylor in the lead. Laps were running out along with places to pass as a number of drivers were taking to the gravel traps and bringing out the yellow flags. Again he tried an outside line move on Taylor at turn one. Taylor braked as late as he could and held his line but Meenehan did the same on the outside and it was enough to take the lead again. A brilliant move in a fantastic race in tricky conditions. 

Niall McFadden takes a trip to the gravel during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Brendan Curran takes a trip to the gravel during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Mark Meenehan, right, leads Jonathan Taylor during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

He held the lead for the following lap but Taylor wasn't finished. He was out for the win and got by once again with a lap to go. Early third place man Des Meehan out-braked himself trying to overtake Niall McFadden and beached his car in the gravel. The gravel done its job as it prevented what could have been a big accident. With the car in a dangerous spot the yellow flags remained on that corner, so no chance for Meenehan to try his turn one move again. Taylor Was in control though and brought it home to take the win from Meenehan with McGrath in third. 

Jonathan Taylor leads Mark Meenehan during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

For their second race of the day and round six of the championship Roger Welaratne lined up on pole from Dave Reynolds with McFadden and  McGrath in third and fourth. Taylor and Meenehan would start from fifth and sixth so they would have work to do to get to the front. As the lights went out Reynolds got the holeshot and lead the field into turn one. With the sun back out the track was dry so the drivers didn't have to worry about grip levels this time out.

Reynolds looked quicker than the earlier race and got his head down and began to pull away from Welaratne who was driving well but had McGrath and McFadden breathing down his neck. Race one winner Taylor got pushed onto  the grass at turn two by McGrath and dropped back to last leaving him with a whole pile of work to do. McGrath and McFadden were having a great battle McFadden holding third for the opening laps but McGrath was quicker and got by into turn one and chased after Welaratne. Reynolds was comfortable in the lead and opened up a lead of two seconds.

Des Meehan leads Dominic Ryan during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Brendan Curran leads Mark Meenehan during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Dave Reynolds, left, leads Kevin McGrath during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

 Taylor was making moves too and his pace clearly quicker than those ahead of him carved his way through the field and now was right behind McFadden. He made shot work of getting by him and pulled away to close in on third placed Welaratne. He again made short work in making up another place.

By the halfway mark it was Reynolds from McGrath and Taylor. McGrath trying hard worked hard and closed down Reynolds and brought Taylor with him. He tried an outside line overtake at turn one that was close to coming off but Reynolds was driving well and held the lead. A lap later though Taylor got down his inside and moved into second and by the exit of turn three he was up into the lead. He opened a gap while McGrath and Reynolds battled behind. It was a good job as once McGrath got into second he closed that gap right down, putting in the fastest lap of the race in doing so. Taylor had time on his side though as it was now the last lap where he brought the car home to take the win and with it the double for the weekend. 

Two entertaining races with Taylor the local  man taking to the top step in both. Speaking after the race it was clear he was happy with how his weekend went; 

" Yeah I had a great weekend back at my home track, racing here since 1989, two good races with Kevin, Dave and Mark who pushed me all the way. I got put on the grass at turn two on the first lap and dropped to last. It was just a racing incident but it fired me up to come back through the field. For the first race I like the wet and I was faster than the rest in that one and the dry makes it closer for everyone which is what you want. I'm delighted in how the weekend has gone and hopefully do the same again here for the next round.

Jonathan Taylor during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Kevin McGrath leads Jonathan Taylor during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Dave Reynolds leads Kevin McGrath and Jonathan Taylor during the Bill Griffin Irish Stryker Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Byrne Back With A Bang To Win Round 6 - Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

07-June-2025: Jack Byrne lifts the trophy after winning the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

For round six of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Ireland Championship drivers returned to Mondello Park. With the previous three rounds up north it was a welcome return for the competitors to be back at the county Kildare circuit. Also returning to the series was Jack Byrne, Oliver Devlin and Dan Polley after a long break. 

Sadly the warm sunshine that drivers had in Bishopscourt last time out did not last and was replaced with a heavy showers of rain for qualifying. Track conditions were poor with no grip with Ger Byrne, Niall O'Mara and Lee Flynn proving it as all ended up in the gravel trap at turn one. Conor Melia however did not end up in it though as he drove to pole position continuing his great run of form in his SM Racing Sheane. Polley who always goes well at Mondello joined him on the front row with Jack Byrne in third and Gavin Buckley in fourth. Surprisingly Championship leader Colm Blackburn could only manage 8th place and would have work to do come the race.

07-June-2025: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads the field into turn one during the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

While the track dried up fully after qualifying with only minutes before the start of the race the heavens opened once again as the drivers took to the track from the paddock. As they lined up on the grid to take their positions the rain was coming down hard. This left it wide open when trying to pick out who was going to win.

It was now time for Melia to go for the win, he has been up at the sharp end all year and for his national championship chances he need a win to keep up with rivals Buckley and Blackburn. As the lights went out though he made a bad start letting Buckley and Byrne get past. Polley too had got ahead but Melia had the inside line ast the rounded turn one for the first time. Buckley held the lead on the opening lap but Byrne and Melia were right there. The grip level was very poor and all were struggling with the cars getting out of shape so quickly both under braking and when the power was being applied.

07-June-2025: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, and Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

 It was a balancing act and the front three were nose to tail, not giving each other an inch in doing so. Conditions aside it was already a good showing from the Annacurragh man who was having his first event of the year. His two rivals have been out all year but it wasn't showing in the early laps. Buckley though was defending well using his lines well and finding the grip when Byrne got alongside into turn one starting lap three. Melia was there too but lost time at turn one when he was very close to running into the gravel. 

Kieran Hannan and Lee Flynn went one better, both going into the gravel but managed to keep the momentum up to get back out so much so Flynn nearly overtook Hannan as the rejoined the track! A lap later championship leader Blackburn was in it but too go back on track but dropped several places. Already the top three had pulled clear from fourth placed man Polley who was on his own and well ahead of those behind.

07-June-2025: Colm Blackburn, Leastone, went into the gravel at turn one but battled back to fourth place during the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

Byrne was trying everywhere to get by and looking a bit impatient. He got a run down the main straight to get alongside Buckley and managed to get ahead going into turn one but started to get out of shape and was close to loosing it. He didn't but had to slot back into second again. His wanting to get past Buckley in a hurry was justified as Melia had closed right back in and was close to overtaking him at turn one on the next lap. This was letting Buckley open a slight gap in front and with laps running out Byrne would have to make his move soon. Then it all changed. First Melia spun off exiting turn one, he rejoined but was down to fourth, a corner later Buckley was out. He lost it on the run out to turn three and spun into the barrier ending his race. 

This left Byrne out on his own with Polley in second, Melia in third and after a sterling drive back through the field to get back into fourth and was catching Melia fast. This was helped by the fact Melia had lost third gear and was struggling to stay going. He was dropping back to Blackburn at rapid rate of knots. Time was on his side with a lap to go he held on but only just, crossing the line 0.036 of a second ahead of Blackburn as the chequered flag was waved. Polley had a quiet race from the start and finished in second leaving Byrne to come home to take the win. 

07-June-2025: Above: Lee Flynn, Leastone, passes Eamonn Thornton, Leastone.

 Below: Dan Polley, Sheane, on his way to second place during the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

07-June-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, took pole position and third place during the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

It was a very eventful formula vee race but a great return to the series for Byrne who wasn't sure if he would keep up the pace at the front after his pace in testing. He was on the pace though even if it was wet. Speaking afterwards the delighted Wicklow man explained how his race went; 

" We are down on power so when the rain came it levelled the playing field. We got lucky and stayed on track so it worked out well. I'm waiting on my main engine to come back from a rebuild so I wasn't expecting much in qualifying but got a good lap in and then it the rain got heavier so I ended up in third. I got a cracker of a start got into second and had a great battle with Gavin and Conor, until I seen one spinning off in my mirrors and then the other spin off in front of me on the same lap. I backed off a bit after that to get to the finish. It is great to get a win as I haven't been out this year yet but I'm looking forward to getting back here in July for the next round."

07-June-2025: Jack Byrne, Sheane, with his daughter Eabha aged 9 weeks, after winnng the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

Tohill Wins British Rallycross Championship Round At Mondello Park

25-May-2025: Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, on his way to winning the Supercar final at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Terenure's Derek Tohill did the double at Mondello Park at the weekend with victory in the Supercar final on Sunday. It was the biggest event on the Irish rallycross calendar with the British championship coming to town and with it bringing a healthy lineup of Supercars to entertain the large crowd. In Saturday's final he finished runner up to Kildare's Michael Leonard but took maximum points in the British championship. Having switched to a Peugeot 208 for this season after many years in his beloved Ford Fiesta, "Molly", it would be his first time round the county Kildare track in the new car.

25-May-2025: Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, leads the field on the opening lap on his way to winning the Supercar final at Mondello Park. Picture: Jack Cregg.

25-May-2025: Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, leads Michael Leonard, Ford Fiesta, on his way to winning the Supercar final at Mondello Park. Picture: Jack Cregg.

25-May-2025: Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, leads the field on the opening lap on his way to winning the Supercar final at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg.

 As always in rallycross the heat results determine the starting position for the all the important final. The weather too was throwing in added pressure going from dry to wet to dry again each time drivers took to the track. With a third and a second place in the first two races a win in the third should have put him on pole for the final but after colliding with John McCluskey in the third heat it looked like his weekend was over. The car taking a couple of heavy impacts while spinning into the barrier on the exit of turn one. The PartsforCars team worked wonders during the lunch break and got the car ready for the final.

Lining up on the outside of the front row in third alongside Michael Leonard and Patrick O'Donovan he got the holeshot and swept round the outside of his two rivals to take the lead into turn one. Holding the inside line to turn two he held the lead and gave himself the best chance to settle into the lead. With races only being six laps its crucial to stay ahead on the opening lap to give yourself the best chance of a win. A clean exit of the final turn along with a mistake from Leonard kicking up the rear wheel and costing him drive down the straight, Tohill pulled a couple of car lengths on his two rivals behind.

25-May-2025: Gary Donoghue, Ford Fiesta, during the Supercar final at Mondello Park.
Picture: Barry Cregg.

A better second lap from Leonard saw him close in again but Tohill was still slightly quicker over the lap to maintain his small lead. Both we loosing and gaining to each other with O'Donovan in third waiting to pounce if anything happened to the two men ahead of him. Leonard took the joker lap on lap 5 in an effort to try and get ahead on the final lap. Tohill and O'Donovan carried on one more time but exiting the Joker lap Tohil had enough in hand to hold the lead. However behind him O'Donovan and Leonard went into the rallycross 3 section side by side. O'Donovan on the inside ran Leonard right out to the edge of the track and took the second place spot. Leonard lost out and dropped back. Tohill had no such worries and took the win. A great drive and gave his team the best repayment for all their hard work.

25-May-2025: Michael Leonard, Ford Fiesta, during the Supercar final at Mondello Park. Picture:
 Jack Cregg.

25-May-2025: John McCluskey, Ford Fiesta, during lap on his way to winning the Supercar final at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg.

O'Donovan came home in second with Leonard in third and McCluskey in fourth making it three Irish drivers in the top four. It was a classy and clever drive by Tohill who kept his cool after taking the lead and put in clean laps to put those behind under pressure and make small mistakes in trying to catch him. Its the first win in the new car too so the switch of manufacturer seems to have worked. 

25-May-2025: Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, during Supercar heat 1 at Mondello Park.
Picture: Barry Cregg.

25-May-2025: Patrick O'Donovan, Proton Iriz, during the Supercar final at Mondello Park.
Picture: Jack Cregg.

Speaking after the race the Dubliner was delighted with his win " That win was for the team, they are some crew. Its a mix of Irish and French engineers and they pulled it off today. The car was wrecked after the crash in the third heat. There was chassis damage both front and rear, we had to replace suspension on the front, a bith welding too but they did it. We had a good setup too and it felt good in the final. The win puts me joint leader of British Rallycross Championship now with Patrick so its all to play for. We are doing a round of the French championship next weekend so hopefully the car will be fully sorted for that."

Drought and McGrath Share The Spoils At Bishopscourt

Nicole Drought leads Jonathan Taylor during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Jack Cregg.

Building on his success in the opening two rounds of the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship, Kildare man Kevin McGrath took home a further win in round 3 and maximum points in round 4 at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit this weekend. The Naas man certainly is reaping the awards for his hard work over the winter. Rebuilding and upgrading a few things on the car have benefited him massively this season. Former series champion Jonathan Taylor and a guest drive by Nicole Drought who usually competes in the UK Trackday Championship joined the grid for this weekend and would bring stiff competition to the meeting. The Bishopscourt track is a fast and flowing one and gives the drivers a chance to really stretch the legs of the Ford Zetec powered cars. 

Kevin McGrath leads Niall McFadden during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Barry Cregg.

The weather could not have been any better with high temperatures and barely a cloud in the sky as qualifying began. It was a close run affair as the top 5 were covered by one second. Taylor grabbed the pole position spot by 0.2 of a second from McGrath with Drought impressing in third. 

As the lights went out for race one of the weekend it was Taylor who got the best start and lead the field into turn one. Drought though gained a place straight away by moving into second place ahead of McGrath. As they all made their way round on the opening laps the first four of Taylor, Drought, McGrath and McFadden began to open an early gap to the rest of the field. It was close and the two chicanes on the back section were the time was going to be won and lost over the race. Even through the second one on the opening lap Taylor was using all and even some more of the road in his efforts to keep Drought at bay. This would cost him eventually.

Jonathan Taylor leads Nicole Drought during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Barry Cregg.

Nicole Drought leads Jonathan Taylor during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Barry Cregg.

Roger Walaratne leads Colin Marnane and Richie Byrne during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Jack Cregg.

As the race settled down after the opening laps the first four spilt into two with Taylor and Drought battling for first and McGrath and McFadden battling for the final podium spot. Drought made her move at turn one and took the lead from Taylor who stuck to her tail and this gave the onlookers something watch. Both on the limit, one defending the other waiting for a slight gap to open and to make a move. At the final chicane Taylor dove down the inside of Drought and retook the lead. Drought had to give way or risk loosing time to Taylor but still was right in contention. 

A lap later she was back in the lead, but a mistake at the first chicane where she spun onto the grass saw her drop to fourth. This left Taylor off the hook for a wile but McGrath put in some quick laps and began to close in on him and pulling clear of McFadden in third. Time was running out though and Taylor crossed the line first but in his efforts gained a 15 second time penalty for track limits which would drop him back to fourth. This promoted everyone up a place, so in the end McGrath took the win ahead of McFadden and Drought.

Jonathan Taylor leads Nicole Drought during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Barry Cregg.

Colin Marnane during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Jack Cregg.

Dominic Ryan leads Des Meehan during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Jack Cregg.

Jonathan Taylor leads Nicole Drought during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Jack Cregg.

Richie Byrne leads Dominic Ryan during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Jack Cregg.

Jonathan Taylor leads Nicole Drought during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Jack Cregg.

For race two the top six are reversed so it was Colin Marnane on pole from Dave Reynolds. The pace at the front was as hot as it was in race one from the off so by the end of the opening lap it was the Taylor and Drought show again. Drought lead but Taylor was watching her every move. McGrath and McFadden also renewed there battle from race one for third although briefly joined by Dave Reynolds before he had to retire. Colin Marnane wasn't far away either but all eyes were watching the battle up front.

Taylor retook the lead and defended over the next number of laps and also keeping an on his track limits this time, not wanting to receive another penalty. Drought seemed happy to sit in second and way up where she could make her move. As the laps ran down to the final one she went for it on the inside going into turn one. Taylor hung on the outside and both banged wheels as the rounded the fast left hand corner. Taylor ran wide on to the grass dropping back to fourth. By this stage McGrath had pulled clear of McFadden after battling for most of the race to moved into second. 

Drought just had to bring it home to take the win, which she did with McGrath in second and McFadden third. With Drought not registered for the championship this gave McGrath a maximum score in the points again to strengthen his lead in the championship.

Darragh Evans during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Barry Cregg.

Niall McFadden during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Barry Cregg.

Nicole Drought takes the chequered flag to win the Stryker race 2 at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Barry Cregg.

Speaking afterwards the man from Naas told me how his weekend went, " I nearly didn't make it here as the van broke down during the week but thanks to Andy Dalton and Jonathan Taylor I got here. First was was great I had a great battle with Jonathan but he got a penalty which gave me the win. The second race I was just a spectator really watching the battle up front. It was still a great weekend though, the sun was out, had a few beers and great craic. I'm looking forward to Mondello Park next and hopefully do well there."

A delighted Nicole drought also spoke afterwards " I have a big gap in my racing in the UK at the moment and one of my commercial partners is the Beacon Sports Clinic, so Michael Cullen suggested that I drive his car this weekend. I jumped at it as Strykers are so much fun to drive. The cars are pretty equal with 4 or 5 drivers able to win at a weekend. I was comfortable in race one but made a small mistake at the first chicane and went off but I got the head down and got third and fastest lap. Race two was a thriller with Jonathan with a hectic scrap all the way to the flag and delighted to take the win. Thanks to Michael Cullen and LOH Motorsport and everyone in the Stryker class it was a great weekend."