McGrath Makes It A Double

Kevin McGrath celebrates after winning both Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

For rounds 5&6 of the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship, competitors were back at Mondello Park. The weather was miserable and with oil laid down on the track from a previous race, the already slippery conditions were made even worse. Returning for this round was former champion and wet weather specialist Des Bruton. While not out to do the full series he would out to try a take another win but could take championship points off title contenders Kevin McGrath and Dave Reynolds.  It was Bruton who took pole position showing no signs of being rusty after his long lay off, from Roger Walaratne and Dave Reynolds. It wasn't so good for McGrath only qualifying in 7th and leaving himself with a lot of work to do. From the off it was Bruton in the lead from Reynolds as he lead the field into turn one. It was plain to see the track conditions were poor as everyone struggled for grip and not just from the rain.

Des Bruton leads Dave Reynolds during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

 That said it was the same for everybody but it was Bruton who made the most of it by stretching out an early lead in the opening laps. Reynolds was playing himself in and getting used to the conditions. After the initial laps were completed his pace picked up and began to close the gap. McGrath however did the opposite and carved his way up to third after the first half of the race. He was now on the bumper of Reynolds and had to get past quickly to give himself time to catch the leader Bruton. Just after the halfway mark he was past and already making inroads to Bruton. Try as he might, Reynolds couldn't keep up the same pace. With three laps to go McGrath made his moved to take the lead. Bruton stayed right behind but eventually lost ground. It was a case of bringing her home for the Naas driver. He kept smooth and didn't get out of shape much and took the chequered flag with a nice margin to spare over Bruton and Reynolds. He also took the important fastest lap to gain an extra championship point.

Dave Reynolds leads Roger Walaratne during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Kevin McGrath during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

For race two it was a reverse grid with Colin Kelly on pole from Des Meehan. This time the track was dry but the rain was not far away but there was a strong breeze which pushing the rain away for the start of the race. A dry race makes for better racing and a truer understanding of who was quickest. Kelly and Meehan got away well but a lightning start from McGrath saw him up to third by turn two and by the exit of turn 3 he was in the lead. Roger Walaratne also had a great start and was into second.

Dave Reynolds  was stuck in traffic and in fourth and if he did not get by one or two in the next few laps he was going to loose ground to McGrath. While the conditions remained dry it was at this stage McGrath needed to make ground before his main rival caught up. He put in the times and gapped the three behind over the few laps. By lap four Reynolds was into third and on Walaratne's tail. He couldn't afford to waste two or three laps behind him. He didn't and was into second a lap later. Now with a clear road ahead he carved into the lead McGrath built up. The weather too was changing again and the rain began to fall once more. Understandably being first on the road McGrath was cautious as the rain began to fall albeit not hard enough to wet the track to effect the grip levels.

KevingMcGrath leads the field during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Roger Walaratne leads Des Meehan during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Des Meehan leads Dave Reynolds during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

By now Reynolds was almost on his tail and as the rain blew off again the front two began to battle it as they have all year. Reynolds piled on the pressure every corner, but could not find a way by.. McGrath was on full defence mode and used the inside line all the way round to hold the lead. It was yet another brilliant battle between these two. Behind them though Des Meehan. Roger Walaratne and Des Bruton were also locked into the final podium spot battle. Walaratne defended well with Bruton unable to find a way past. Meehan too had the same problem with Bruton but was having his best run this year so far after mechanical problems in both races at the first two rounds.

Kevin McGrath during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Dave Reynolds leads Des Meehan during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Des Bruton leads Darragh Evans during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Up front McGrath brought it home to do the double but it was Reynolds who got the fastest lap in this race to get an extra point. It was some consolation for his hard work in catching and trying to pass McGrath. The happy Naas driver knew he worked for the wins this weekend " Yeah I mad hard work of that today but I am delighted to get the two wins. I got it worng in qualifying and ended up seventh. Got good starts in both races and tried to make it to the front each time which I did. The first race was wet but the oil all over the track made it very hard work. Fair play to Dave he has found a lot of pace this year and pushed me all the way in the second race but I just defended and defended and it was enough to take the win again."