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."

Blackburn Does the Double At Bishopscourt

Colm Blackburn, Leastone, leads Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Picture: Jack Cregg.

For rounds four and five of the Selco.ie Formula Vee championship, drivers made their way north of the border once again but this time to the beautiful Bishopscourt racing circuit. Situated inland from the coast just outside Downpatrick, it is a drivers favourite. The series only gets to visit this venue once a year so it makes it a special weekend in the racing calander. This year the good spell of weather continued and added to the weekend and it's rare that you get to race in tempretures above 20 degrees in Ireland. 

As with the previous round in Kirkistown the top three of Colm Blackburn, Gavin Buckley and Kieran Hannan would be looked on as favourites for the win. That said Conor Melia as shown in Kirkistown has upped his pace and now has to be also factored into the leading group. Qualifying came first however and it was closely fought. With just two tenths of a second cover the first three and less than a second over the top four it gave a good indication of a close race was to come. Blackburn took pole position from Buckley, but it was Melia in third with Hannan behind in fourth. 

Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads the field during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Picture: Jack Cregg.

As the lights went out it was Buckley who got the better start and lead into turn one with Blackburn behind Hannan in third, Melia in fourth. The circuit is the fastest in the country and is also a very flowing circuit with only a couple of overtaking opportunities so making an overtake means you have to fully commit to it at high speed. At the end of the opening lap it was still the same four car group who had gapped the next group lead by Eamon Thornton. It was close between the leading group all nose to tail but a mistake going into the second chicane by the leader Buckley saw him loose control of the car and spin off into the grass on the exit. He was lucky not to be collected by the Blackburn behind but he missed him and took the lead. Buckley now dropped down to seventh but was still close enough to make up a few places but a podium or win was gone. 

Above: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads the field during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race.

Below: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, looses control exiting the chicane during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Pictures: Barry Cregg.

Up front Blackburn was now the hare with Melia and Hannan the hounds. He had a slight gap now and was helped with Hannan moving into second at turn one. Niall O'Mara and Eamonn Thornton were locked in their own battle in the second group behind. O'Mara moving into fourth on lap four and began his own charge towards the front three. Buckley was hot on their heels though and was looking to make back as many places as he could. By the end of the race he did and strong comeback drive earned him fourth place and saved a few more championship points. This damage limitation could come into effect by the end of the year.

Kieran Hannan, Leastone, leads Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Two laps later second and third places were reversed and now Melia was closing in on leader Blackburn. Blackburn was now being clever defending well in the areas Melia was quicker making him try the long outside lines in turns one and three. He was quicker through the chicanes which helped him in the tight right hand bend at the end of the back straight which is where Melia's best chance was to pass. The former series champion was using all his experience against his less experienced rival. Hannan was now back on the heels of Melia once again so any slip up from the front two he was there to capitalise. 

Ger Byrne, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Picture: Barry Cregg.

John Lawless, Leastone, leads the field during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Eamonn Thornton, Leastone, leads the group from third during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Picture: Barry Cregg.

The laps were running out though and they were closing in on the tailenders so passing opportunities were made harder. Melia tried and tried but just couldn't find a way past. If Blackburn could hold of for the last lap the Ballyfermot man was on for another Formula Vee win at Bishopscourt. He did and took the chequered flag just ahead of Melia and Hannan. 

For the second race of the day they lined up on the grid just as the first race. On paper after the first race it shaped up to be another tight race with Blackburn out to make it a double, Melia out to get his maiden national win, the same went for Hannan and Buckley needed to take a win to keep up his title defence. It was a copy of the first start with Buckley heading the field into turn one with Blackburn behind in second. 

Blackburn didn't waste anytime and was in the lead by turn two and looked quicker than he did in race one and he began to pull away as they made their way up the back straight, through the two quick chicanes. Buckley remained in second but Melia and Hanan were right behind. A lovely move on the inside at the final chicane a lap later saw Hannan move up to third. Blackburn's opening lap advantage was now gone as the first four again were in their own group ahead of the field. Buckley tried at urn one to take the lead but couldn't get by Melia the same but was successful in turn two and was back up to third. This was already a great battle to watch and only two laps were done. 

Thornton and O'Mara were now closing in also and it was close to a six car train as they started another lap but over the coming laps their own battle would drop them back from the front four but it still shows their pace is getting quicker and it won't be long until they are heading the field also. Up front Buckley made a great move on the outside of the very fast turn one to take the lead from Blackburn and he now made a break from it as the two men behind him scrapped it out. Blackburn's pace through the chicanes though brought him right up to Buckley and starting the next lap he tried to do what was done to him on the outside of turn one. Buckley defended it but in Blackburn had the line for turn two and took the lead. Buckley then got a handful of oversteer allowing Melia through. From first to third in one corner undoing all his hard work.

Colm Blackburn, Leastone, leads the field during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Pictures: Barry Cregg.

With a lap and a half to go Melia had work to do but would only get one chance to make a move for the lead. Hannan was in the same boat to try and get third from Buckley. Blackburn knew it and defended well in turns one and two but Melia closed right in on the back section and would have to try at the final chicane or into the right hander after it. He tried but his car went out of shape on the exit of the chicane loosing him the run into the right hander after it. He held on to it well as it could have ended in disaster. All Blackburn had to do was hold his line in the final corner, which he did and took the chequered flag and make it a double victory. Buckley held off Hannan to take third and take some good points for the championship. 

Two small mistakes and it could have been a double for him but you have to give credit to Blackburn. He was fast, defended well and took his opportunities when they came to him. 

Speaking afterwards the Dubliner was delighted to be back on the top step. "That was fun we struggled with the car the last while but thanks to Paul Heavey we got it sorted. Its to hard to try a do everything on your own so we got Paul on board to help and its worked. Two wins this weekend shows it and I'm looking for to Mondello now in a few weeks."

Colm Blackburn, Leastone, leads the field during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Results:

Race 1

Selco.ie National Championship

1st Colm Blackburn

2nd Conor Melia

3rd Kieran Hannan

TyreDoctor.ie 'B' Championship

1st Conor Melia

2nd Eamonn Thornton

3rd Fergal Begley

PrecisionWorks Engineering Rookie Championship

1st Brian Cowan

2nd John Lawless

Race 2

Selco.ie National Championship

1st Colm Blackburn

2nd Conor Melia

3rd Gavin Buckley

TyreDoctor.ie 'B' Championship

1st Conor Melia

2nd Niall O'Mara

3rd Eamonn Thornton

PrecisionWorks Engineering Rookie Championship

1st Brian Cowan