2025 Selco.ie Formula Vee Champion - Gavin Buckley

Gavin with his trusty Sheane car after clinching his second title

Like buses, you wait ages for one and two come at once. This was somewhat the case for Gavin Buckley who successfully defended his Selco.ie Formula Vee National Championship this year. He kicked off the season in style with two wins at Mondello Park. His strong pace in both races and qualifying suggested the rest would need to step up at the next round in Kirkistown. It wasn't to be though as a mechanical problem while lying in third dropped him down the field in the closing stages and another large points haul was missed. That said his luck was in somewhat though as he wouldn't have finished if the race was another lap longer. 

Next up was the only trip to the other county Down track, Bishopscourt Racing circuit. Only used once during the season it is a favourite of all drivers and the weather was superb to make it even better. Another front row start and an early lead in the opening laps saw him back in form as he was in Mondello but a mistake at the final chicane saw him spin off and drop down the field. More points lost but a third in race two after a brilliant battle with Colm Blackburn and Conor Melia gave him a good bag of points. Although it was a case of leaving two wins behind. 

Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Colm Blackburn, Leastone, Mondello Park, Co. Kildare.

The second trip to Mondello brought the worst result of the year while again battling up front a spin into the barriers resulted in a DNF. His main rival Conor Melia while consistent still hadn't won yet which helped Buckley when he dropped points he still held the championship lead. He needed to comeback strong at the next couple of rounds to get hold of the championship properly. He did with two dominant wins at Mondello and Kirkistown. Next up was the penultimate round of the series including the Leinster trophy race. 

With the return of Ronan Doherty, Kevin O'Hara and Anthony Cross there were a few more to battle with but at this stage he was out to get enough points to wrap it up and not bring it to the final round as the year before. He didn't have the same pace as the previous rounds but did enough to secure a well deserved second title. For the final round in Kirkistown after being late to assembly he was put to the back for the race and a first corner coming together saw any chance of a win gone but a good comeback in difficult conditions saw he finish in fifth. It was his rival all year Melia who took his first win but it showed the up and down results Buckley had all year left the final points gap in the end at six points. It was close but he won more races and should have won more but racing is never as straight forward as it looks like it should be at times. 

Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Colm Blackburn, Leastone, Bishopscourt, Racing Circuit, Co. Down

Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Kieran Hannan, Leastone, Bishopscourt, Racing Circuit, Co. Down.

It's testament to the hard work done be Adam McCauley who had the car on song all year with only one mechanical problem all year and to have the car rebuilt so well after the crash in Mondello.

Speaking after the Leinster Trophy meeting Buckley reflected on his season and taking retaining his championship.

Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Fergal Begley, Sheane, Kirkistown, Racing Circuit, Co. Down.

" Yeah it's been a very up and down year, started off great with two wins followed by four not difficult races but ones that certainly didn't go to plan, then followed by to good ones. That brought us to here this weekend. His laughs give away his review of it and his performance " This one also didn't go to plan with a bad qualifying and didn't have a good race. Fair play to Conor though he drove well all year and if things had gone a bit different we could have well be heading to Kirkistown to decide the title. It has been a funny season though we lost points in race three with an electrical problem, then Bisophscourt was a bad day at the office both races I made mistakes completely my fault, then Mondello after it I don't know what happened if I hit oil or what but the car just shot off into the barriers. We looked at the videos but can't figure out what happened so that was a DNF. Conor really pushed me all year and I also benefited that Colm had car problems and didn't finish the season and Jack didn't do a full one either. I am delighted to win it though I really am it's great and thanks to Adam and the lads for the help and having the car running well all year."

Adam McAuley and Gavin Buckley, Mondello Park, Naas, Co. Kildare.

TyreDoctor.ie Formula Vee 'B' Champion 2025 - Conor Melia

13-September-2025: Conor Melia, the 2025 TyreDoctor.ie 'B'  Formula Vee Champion.
Picture Barry Cregg.

What a difference a year makes. This time last year the final race meeting at Kirkistown Racing Circuit for Lucan man Conor Melia was used to put to rest any demons he had after quiet a big crash he had there at the midpoint of the season. This year after already winning the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' Championship at the previous round at Mondello Park, he took his maiden Selco.ie Formula Vee national race win. 

It was in fact a long time coming as he was close to winning several times this year but just came up short. If he had and the crucial DNF in round three had not happened he may have claimed the overall championship as his consistency kept him in with a shout right up to the penultimate round. To be fair to the Dubliner he is only finishing his second season of racing this year. Another year with the SM Racing team also proved important as both parties kept the momentum going from last year and worked well together and as the season progressed the results got better and better. 

06-April-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. ICCR Round 1, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

06-April-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. ICCR Round 1, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

26-April-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane,, leads Eamonn Thornton, Leastone, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Picture: Barry Cregg

It was also a year where regular 'B' championship runners made a step forward in overall pace and who would have more race experience which made winning the championship all the better. Coming from a sim racing background rather than the traditional kart racing one so many have done before, his driving became more smoother and less erratic than last year. This comes from time in the car and one that is prepped very well by the father and son Christy and Stephen Morrin. 

Sadly the traitional final race of the year the Emmerson Fittipaldi Trophy, was cancelled due to heavy rain. The chance to add his name this year was takin away from him by mother nature, but if this year is anything to go by only a fool would rule him out of the running next year.

18-May-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Picture: Jack Cregg,

18-May-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Picture: Barry Cregg,

Speaking after the race he described the final championship race and his overall year. 

" I'm just buzzing, I really am, and for the lads {SM Racing} too. We have had the pace all year it was just hard to get past Gavin for a reasonable newcomer like myself. It's been said all year and its true that my downfall was not winning enough races but today we have shown we can. Bishopscourt was were it changed as the lads found a problem with the car that was a leftover from the crash last year. Once that was fixed the pace got much better and we got two second places there. There have been some great races all year with Gavin Buckley, Colm Blackburn and Jack Byrne. Sadly the weather took the Emmerson Fittipaldi  race away from us today but I will be back next year with the elbows out a bit more and try and get a few more wins."

27-September-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, leads Kieran Hannan, Leastone, and Andy Keogh, Sheane, on his way to winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Picture: Jack Cregg.

27-September-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, celebrates after winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Picture Barry Cregg.

13-September-2025: Conor Melia, the 2025 TyreDoctor,ie 'B'  Formula Vee Champion with the SM Racing crew Michelle, Stephen and Christy Morrin, along with Girlfriend Dorie.
Picture Barry Cregg.

PrecisionWorks Engineering Rookie Champion 2025 - Brian Cowan

The Formula Vee season came to a close last Saturday at Kirkistown Racing Circuit. While some finished another season of many, some defended a title, some finally made it to the end of a race meeting without damage and one driver not only fulfilled a lifetime wish to go motor racing they also won a championship in the process. Belfast native Brian Cowan was one such person. Brian joined the Formula Vee grid this year and showed he wasn't out for a Sunday drive. His pace got quicker as the year went on and became one of the northern tribe along with the Kelly Brothers, James Friel and Sean McCallion. When you look at his results anyone would love to have them in their own championship  with three wins backed up with a podium spot in every other round.

Brian Cown, Sheane, in action in round 1 at Mondello Park.

His rivals Lee Flynn and John Lawless both won races but were nowhere near as consistent with each having numerous DNF's. This consistency earned him an 88 point cushion when the points table was totted up for the final time. Having spent some years in England where he raced on two wheels for several years on 2 stroke 500cc motocross bikes before moving on to classic race bikes where he did parade laps around such famous circuits like Dijon, Spa, Donnigton  and the Isle of Man! 

After returning to Ireland he often thought his biking days and the competitiveness of it which he enjoyed. He wanted to do experience that again so a trip to Kirkistown in June 2023 where he talked to a few drivers and met Sean McCallion  and decided to bite the bullet and bought his car from him. The first race in Mondello saw a strong start finishing runner up to Lee Flynn followed by a third and a second again in the next two events but by round four in Bishopscourt he came home with two wins. It was especially nice to do it at his home track. While a win at Mondello eluded him all year his other win came at Kirkistown in July.

Reflecting on the year go by it was clear he enjoyed it, " I'm over the moon at winning the rookie championship in my first full season including first time visits to Mondello Park on both the national and International circuits. I bought a good car thanks to Sean McCallion and with the help of James Friel along with Jordan and Owen Kelly I had a 100% finishing record. Formula Vee is one of the most competitive championships in Ireland but everyone is willing to help you if needs be until the helmets go on!! I know feel part of the Formula Vee "family" and love the enthusiasm of all involved who make it happen, with a special thanks to Michelle Morrin. Formula Vee is fun, serious and great craic!"

Like all motor racing it comes down to experience and time in the car. A move up the the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' championship next year will see more challenges and a need to make a step further in lap times. If this year is anything to go by it wont surprise some if he is right in the mix in that championship from the word go.

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