Hogging all the Titles - Keith Hogg wins 2024 Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane Championship and David Sheane Memorial Trophy

Keith Hogg with his Formula Sheane ahead of the Leinster Trophy Races. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

For a man who has only got back into motor racing after several years off, Keith Hogg has not wasted any time in making up for it. After clinching his second Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane title in a row along with the prestigious David Sheane Memorial Trophy at last weekends Leinster Trophy races, at Mondello Park, one would be forgiven in thinking it was easily done. Far from it though, as this years championship came right down to the final round of the series. All he had to do was finish in the the top ten to take the title, where his rival Enda O'Connor had to take a win at least and Hogg to finish below 10th place to bring it to the second race of the round to keep his chances alive. 

On paper it looked easy, just stay out of trouble by not getting sucked into a battle or get caught up in somebody else's mistake. Qualifying on pole earns you a championship point (as well as a fastest lap) which he duly got after taking pole, which actually wasn't in the plan this time out and left him in somewhat of a quandary ahead of the first race. Onlookers would find out if the red mist was down and out to race or to settle for points once the lights went out. The mist never descended as by the third bend he was already down to fourth place. He clearly was out to get the points needed in this race to take the title and then go out and play in the second race. 

Keith Hogg leads Richard Kearney during the Formula Sheane race. 

Although winning races is important in taking titles consistency is also key and this is why both Hogg and O'Connor brought it to the final round. While lying in mid pack early on in the race he let those ahead battle it out, which they did and in doing so O'Connor made a mistake a spun out of contention and later on lost his nose cone ending his championship chances. Others dropped out and collided with each other and in the end Hogg navigated his way through it all and took third place and his second title in a row. A well deserved one too, as by packing up time he had a total of 9 wins, 1 second, 1 third, 1 DNF, 6 poles and 4 fastest laps.

The Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane Championship runs over six weekends with two races in each to allow drivers balance racing with their daily lives. Motor racing in Ireland is largely made up of club racers mixed with a few the young hopefuls looking to make a career in the sport. Sadly this is getting less likely as each year goes by due to the soaring costs once you leave the Irish shores. Keith has been well aware of this only competing in Formula Vee for a couple of years and a few races in Formula Ireland in the mid 2000's. Add a selection of outings in Formula Sheane in 2010, before two seasons in 2012 and 2013 where he finished 4th and 3rd. Then he stopped until last year where he properly put a campaign together .

Keith Hogg leads the cars on the warm up lap of the Formula Sheane race.

Philip Sheane leads Enda O'Conor during the Formula Sheane race.

Keith takes up the story; 

" Back in April for the first round we went up Kirkistown and had a brilliant weekend getting 2 wins 2 poles and 1 fastest lap. So I bagged a load of points there and set me up for the next race in Bishopscourt where we went one better with 2 wins, 2 poles and 2 fastest laps! I love racing up there. They are my favourite tracks and we always get a proper welcome, and I love the travel aspect and staying overnight up there. The first Mondello brought my only DNF but I got a win also. Another win and a second came in the July meeting at Mondello, followed by 2 wins and a pole in Kirkistown in August. Coming into this weekend I knew I only needed a top ten finish and I had the championship. So the plan was to do that he says laughing, until I got pole and then I got all nervous because I didn't try to get it. Now I questioned weather I should go for the win or play it safe? I only decided when the lights went out and I said to myself, just let them off. Which is what I did and stayed out of trouble and took the championship."

Enda O'Connor leads Richard Kearney during the Formula Sheane race

With the championship now in the bag there was one last trophy to go for, the David Sheane Memorial Trophy. It is a highly sought after prize for those who have race in Formula Vee or Formula Sheane. Without David Sheane there quiet simply wouldn't have been as many people out racing cars in the last 40 plus years. Some who started their careers in cars designed by David have gone on to compete in high level international racing, which is a testament to the man. After a hard battle with Richard Kearney and Phillip Sheane the final win of the year went Keith's way yet again rounding out an incredible year. 

His post race celebrations showed how much winning this trophy ment to him. After the race he expressed why." I'm delighted to have my name on the David Sheane cup, he helped all of us and helped me so much. I wouldn't have got to so many races without David. He is sorely missed around the paddock and I miss talking to him on the Monday after a race weekend. So it's special to me to have my name on it now."

Keith Hogg leads Philip Sheane during the David Sheane Memorial Trophy race.

They say 'behind every great man there is a great woman' and in Keith Hogg's case it is certainly true! Some wives try a discourage their husbands interest in motor racing, mainly due to the costs involved that in fairness would go a lot further in things for the house or holidays, but his wife Therese was the instigator for his return. Having listened to her in 2006 when she told him to concentrate in building his business Mad Motors.ie and once again in 2022 when she said it was time to go back racing. He listened, and the results have proved correct it in both cases! Although are women ever wrong?? In any case Keith admits without her support in recent years on and off the track he would not have won as much and it shows as they both give off an infectious energy in the paddock and are genuinely great fun to be around. 

Keith holds up the David Sheane Memorial Trophy and with his wife Therese on the podium after the race.

Again having won last year and this year is there a hunger to keep going? 

"Well last year after winning it I was going to take a break again but Therese told me to go on again and I happened to be on the phone to Brian Hearty who's car I have now and he thought nobody had done back to back but it had but not three in a row. So I looked at Therese and she said I guess we are going again! So that the plan for next year, its only six weekends of the year so it doesn't take up all your time either to be fair."

Time will tell but after a year like this year it will be hard to look past him to do the three in a row. 

Keith celebrating after winning the David Sheane Memorial Trophy race.

O' Connor Does The Double

Enda O'Connor on his way to winning round four of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

With no sign of the temperatures reducing ahead of round four. The drivers had more than that to worry about as they had to find an answer in stopping Enda O'Connor from taking a clean sweep of pole, two wins and fastest lap over the weekend. Some adjustments were going to be made by Philip Sheane who didn't show the pace he had in the opening two rounds of the season. " Im going to make a couple of adjustments as the front left brake kept locking up on me in the previous race so hopefully it will be better for this one" said Philip ahead of round four. 

Philip SHeane on his way to second place during four of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Again O'Connor was on pole ahead of Derek Roddy. Again it was O'Connor who got the better start off the line and lead into turn one. Roddy tucked in behind and set out to keep O'Connor honest and not let him break away. Easier said than done when you have a hard charger like Philip Sheane behind you. It was like so many other races gone before where a driver has to balance his attack and his defence at the same time. The leader didn't have to worry with a clear road ahead O'Connor got his head down and began to open a gap like he did in round three. Sheane knew he could not afford to let his fellow county man get to far ahead. 

Derek Roddy on his way to third place during round four of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

By lap two he made his move and got by Roddy, who it has to be said was driving very well and putting in the times. Sheane began to close in, his car clearly handling better this time out. Behind the front three again Mark Keenan and Chris Dunne had their own battle with Keenan getting by on lap two but having to defend for the rest of the race. While the international track layout provides more overtaking opportunities it does tend to spread the car out and any slight mistake makes it hard for the driver to get it back. While his initial attack drew O'Connor back towards him Sheane ran out of steam and could not get close enough to really pressure the Brittas Bay man. O'Connor maintained his gap and the 2015 champion in the end won convincingly by 2.6 seconds. However he just missed out on a full clean sweep as Roddy took fastest lap on the penultimate lap. 

Derek Roddy on his way to third place during round four of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Speaking with Enda after the race he was delighted to win after only jumping into the car on the friday test day before the race." Yes the race went very well for me and got out into the lead at the start as in round three and maintained the gap to Philip and Derek behind me. The track conditions were much better for that race and the car ran faultlessly. I have to thank Brendan for giving me the chance to use it this weekend although he has no excuses now when he gets back into it!" 

Enda O'Connor on his way to winning round four of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Would the fact that winning two races in a row since his last one off drive at last September's Leinster Trophy meeting entice him out again this year? 

" No I can't commit to a season I just have too much on at work and helping to run the class also. Plus if I went out the other lads would be giving out about not getting a win for themselves!" Weather or not he does or does not come out again this year he showed the rest a clean pair of heels in rounds there and four of this years series.

Another happy man was Derek Roddy who got two podiums to get his championship right on track and showed a great turn of pace by taking fasted lap in race two. " I am delighted how this weekend went after the disasters of rounds one and two. Two podiums and a fastest lap makes the hard work put in worth while and plus I couldn't let Enda get too big a head!" 

 

O' Connor Rolls Back The Years With Victory In Formula Sheane Round 3

Enda O'Connor leads Derek Roddy on his way to winning round 3 of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

County Kildare's Mondello Park again was the venue for the third round of the Formula Sheane Championship, this time on the international circuit. The warm weather was a welcomed boost for organizers who were allowed to open their gates to spectators for the first time in almost two years. It is still early days as far as title races go but another couple of strong points positions for those who scored well last time out would put pressure on those who didn't. Would the drama of the opening race be repeated and would the new kid on the block Philip Sheane, take another win? Everyone was out to see if it would happen again. 

Enda O'Connor claimed pole position during qualifying for round 3 of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Unfortunately the drama all happened off track this time before a wheel was turned in anger. First round winner Paul McLoughlin did not make the start with his engine letting go in testing and also Brendan Carr who hurt a shoulder also was sidelined. This lead to former champion Enda O'Connor coming out of retirement for this meeting. It still shaped up to look a close contest as Derek Roddy was now back after his mechanical troubles at the opening weekend and Philip Sheane and Richard Kearney also were there to battle it out. 

Derek Roddy leads Philip Sheane in their battle for second during round 3 of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

First blood went to O'Connor however as he set his stall out by qualifying on pole. Those who thought it might take a bit of time for him to get up to speed were wrong as he was ahead of second qualifier Roddy by 0.504 seconds. Sadly Richard Kearney had to pull out due to illness leaving one of the front runners out of the mix. As the lights went out it was O'Connor who led the field into turn one. followed by Roddy and Sheane. The unusually high temperatures made it hard for engines and tyres.

Enda O'Connor leads the field into turn one during round 3 of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

 O'Connor built a lead up but at the same time did not make a large enough gap to leave room for any mistakes. Roddy and Sheane held themselves up for a couple of laps while battling together but once Roddy's car began to leak oil, Sheane dropped back as his visor became covered in the oil forcing him to leave it open for a couple of laps before he got it cleared. Roddy who was oblivious to his cars problem pressed ahead and began to catch O'Connor. 

Mark Keenan leads Tom Foley in their battle for fourth place round 3 of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Enda O'Connor on his way to winning round 3 of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

With a couple of laps to go O'Connor began to wave his hands to officials trying to alert them to the oil layed down at the penultimate corner. He regained his momentum on the final lap to keep a cushion over Roddy to take the chequered flag. Another win for the Wicklow man in Mondello but one which was not as easy as it looked. 

" I got a good start and pulled a small gap on Derek and Philip but towards the end there was a lot of oil down so I slowed a bit. I could see Derek closing so I pushed again on the last lap and held on for the win. It was all thanks to Brendan Carr loaning me the car for the weekend other than that I wouldn't be out. I'm happy to get the win."