Doherty Does The Double - Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

Ronan Doherty with his trophy after winning the two Selco.ie Formula Vee races. 

Round 9 and 10 of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship drivers made their way to Mondello Park to take on the international circuit. They would also would be competing for the prestigious Leinster Trophy on Sunday. First though the two final southern rounds of the series would have to be completed first. It also could see the crowning of all three class champions for 2025 if things panned out. 

Its been a close between Gavin Buckley and Conor Melia all year but both have had flaws in their campaign. In Buckley's case he lost points by making mistakes while leading races in Kirkistown and Bisopscourt but has won more races. In Melia's case he has been more consistent but lacked wins. This weekend would see the return of several drivers that have been missing for sometime. Jordan and Owen Kelly, Anthony Cross, Kevin O'Hara, Ronan Doherty and Tim Murray. 

Tim Murray left leads Anthony Cross into turn one at the start of race one 

A large grid of 26 cars took to a damp and slippery track for qualifying. The favorites would have to be Doherty and O'Hara. Both very talented drivers and ones the rest would have to step up to challenge. This was proved right as both locked out the front row with Doherty taking pole by a massive 1.6 seconds.     However come race time the sun was out and the track was bone dry. When the lights went out the two front men had bad starts and Tim Murray from row two shot through the middle of them to lead from Anthony Cross into turn one. Things went from bad to worse for O'Hara as he went wide and on to the grass dropping right down the order and any chance of a win gone.

Doherty was back into second as they made their way back in from the country. He wasted no time and took the lead as they started the international loop. Immediately he began to open a gap and by the end of lap one he pulled 3 car lengths clear. Cross and Jordan Kelly were now giving Murray a hard time. Championship contenders Buckley and Melia were having their own battle with Jack Byrne behind that group. Melia trying to put as many between him an Buckley. It was all go in the usual first lap mayhem of Formula Vee.

Top: Ronan Doherty, Sheane, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, during race one.
Bottom: Colm Blackburn, Leastone leads Niall O'Mara, Leastone, during race one.

Fergal Begley had a coming together with O'Hara in the final corner and ended up spinning but managed to get going again. This slowed O'Hara's progress which was rapid for the next couple corners as he had to re close the gap to those ahead. Doherty increased his lead with ease and the three behind him had no answer to him. In fact they were beginning to spread out themselves. It was all change in the next group as Buckley was now ahead of both Byrne and Melia. The following lap saw Doherty get close to the lap record with a 1.52.9 second lap just a dew tenths off the lap record held by O'Hara. 

Doherty now had a commanding lead over Cross who just couldn't stay with him but then the safety car came out and which would bunch them up again. The problem with the safety car being brought out on the international track it eats into the race time. It was back in after a lap and Doherty resumed the race and made a great re-start not letting those behind get a chance to make a move on him for the lead. Jack Byrnes hard work was undone as a brake problem caused him to take a trip through the gravel trap at turn one. He was saved though as Lee Flynn went off at the final corner on the re-start which brought out the red flags. 

Top: Eamonn Thornton, Leastone, leads Colm Blackburn, Leastone, during race one.
Bottom: Jack Byrne, Sheane, takes a trip to the gravel.

The result was declared from the lap before not that the result was in doubt as Doherty was never going to be caught. It was good to see Cross and Murray back on the podium again though and a shame they haven't been out much this year. In the championship battle Melia came home in sixth and Buckley eight meaning it was still all to play for.

Tim Murray, Leastone, on his way to third place in race one.

For the second race there was no poor starts from the front two who both got away well but Doherty got the better one and lead into turn one from O'Hara. By the end of lap one it was already a two horse race although Doherty once again was beginning to open a gap. Cross and Byrne were right together having a great scrap behind with Murray, Buckley, Keogh and Melia all in toe. It was much the same over the next couple of laps. Championship contenders Buckley and Melia were now separated by a couple of seconds on track but still only one car between them meaning if it stayed that way the championship would not be settled and would go to the final round. 

Ronan Doherty, Sheane, leads Kevin O'Hara, Sheane, during race two.

Up front Doherty extended his lead and ended any hopes O'Hara had on challenging for the win. He was driving superb and just reeling off the laps. Cross was clear in third and had dropped Byrne into the group behind where the race was. He was having to fend off Murray, Buckley, Kelly and Melia in a car that was far from ideal, handling wise. Sadly Kelly pulled out with a mechanical problem a lap later. Once again as the race was near a close the red flags came out. Again the race was result was not in doubt as Doherty had built a lead of over five seconds. It was good to see the Antrim man back out in Formula Vee and showing how his Formula Ford season has brought his driving on even more since this time last year.

Top: Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, during race two.
Bottom: Andy Keogh, Sheane, leads Eamonn Thornton, Leastone, during race two

After the race when dropped rounds came into play the title had been decided and Gavin Buckley took the 2025 series to make it a successful title defence. A very well deserved title too and one where he was pushed all the way by Conor Melia. Melia still had cause to celebrate as he wrapped up the Tyredoctor.ie 'B' Championship. Brian Cowan also had reason to celebrate as he to wrapped up the Precision Works Engineering Ltd Rookie Title.

Top: Conor Melia, Sheane, leads Eamonn Thornton, Leastone, during race one.
Bottom: Brian Cowan, Sheane, on his way to the Rookie title

So it was Doherty's day and Buckley]s year. Next up was the important Leinster Trophy race.

Gavin Buckley on his way to winning the 2025 Sleco.ie Formula Vee Championship

Speaking afterwards Doherty said " I had a great day, I had the easy job of driving the car but its the lads who set the car up that won us the races as it went very well and it made it easier to win. Lets hope it does the same in the Leinster Trophy race."

Ronan Doherty on his way to winning race two