Make Mine A Double! - Jack Byrne wins latest Formula Vee races.

Jack Byrne, Sheane, on his way to wining the Formula Vee race at Mondello Park.

Annacurragh's Jack Byrne had a Carlsberg weekend at Mondello Park on Saturday by taking pole position, fastest lap and victory in rounds two and three of the Formula Vee Championship. It was a much needed confidence boost after mechanical trouble at the first round at Kirkistown in March which stemmed from late last year. He didn't have it easy though as he was pushed all the way by Gavin Buckley, Conor Melia and Kieran Hannan. 

To add to the mix a restarted race two meant he had to redo all his hard work again. The tight track on Mondello's national layout can make it hard to pass but also if you over defend you can get caught out and get nabbed in corners that aren't usually overtaking areas. Easier said than done though but a clash of wheels in race two with Buckley exiting turn one could have very easily ended in disaster for both drivers. With only fourteen cars out it is a sign of the times compared to a couple of years ago when there was usually twenty-five cars out each weekend. 

Jack Byrne, Sheane, leads Gavin Buckley, Sheane, and Sean McClements, Sheane, on his way to wining the Formula Vee race at Mondello Park.

That said those who were out but on a great display not giving an inch but all done in a fair way with no bad driving standards. Buckley came close twice at turn one in taking the lead on the outside line but Byrne held firm. His effort in the last three weeks wasn't going to be wasted in the gravel trap and only a win would do. Buckley's car still has the most speed out of any of the cars on the grid and he put it to good use down the straights but just couldn't find a way by. Cheered on by his biggest supporters his wife Michelle and daughter Eabha he took the chequered flag twice and in doing so but himself right back in contention for the championship.

Above: Jack Byrne, with his daugther Eabha aged 1 and Below: with his new army of fans after winning the Formula Vee race at Mondello Park.

Speaking afterwards the jubilant victor explain how his weekend went; " Its great now to get two wins a start the championship from here. We still have a few things to finish off on the car that we didn't get done in time for this weekend. The engine is strong and thank to Kevin Sheane for all the work he done on the car for us since Kirkistown its made a huge difference. It will be hard to beat Gavin in Bishopscourt and Colm Blackburn will be back too so it could be anyone's but we will give it a try anyway."

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.

Melia Takes His Maiden Formula Vee Win

 

Conor Melia celebrates after winning his first Formula Vee national win

Kirkistown Racing Circuit hosted the 11th and final round of the Selco.ie Formula Vee championship on Saturday. The northern circuit is the traditional last hooray of the season but for once it wasn't a title decider weekend like it has been so many times before. This sadly meant a few of the usual front runners were not out but still the top two in Gavin Buckley and Conor Melia were. Sean McClements was back out again and flew in qualifying so much so he grabbed pole position with a 1.05.943 lap. Gavin Buckley for once this season had no pressure on him at the last round as he wrapped the title up last time out at Mondello Park, joined him on the front row.

There was drama before the race even began, due to being late to assembly the two front row men were put to the back of the grid. This promoted Melia and Thornton to the front row. The weather was horrible, with high winds and rain it made life very difficult for the drivers but at least the rain wasn't too heavy but the track was slippy. Melia got away well and took the lead going into turn one but behind him Thornton spun going into turn two. He wasn't the only one as nearly a third of the grid did the same with some colliding with other. More bad luck followed Buckley and McClements as they were two of those who spun off. Andy Keogh and Kieran Hannan benefited the most as the slotted into second and third. 

Conor Melia, Sheane, leads Kieran Hannan, Leastone, and Andy Keogh, Sheane, on his way to winning his first Formula Vee national race

In the opening laps the front three settled into a nice battle each threading the fine line of going fast enough without being close to going off. It looked like hard work as the back end of each car stepping out as soon as the power was applied. Oliver Devlin and Michael Stafford found the grip levels very hard to find exiting turn two they both spun off more than once but luckily no damage was done other than their pride. By the halfway point the front three had pulled clear from the rest of the field but Melia had opened a gap to the two men behind also. Once again this year his smooth driving style was helping him and his chances of his first national win come closer and closer.

Kieran Hannan, Leastone, leads Andy Keogh, Sheane, during the Formula Vee race.

The battle for second was intense with both Keogh and Hannan looking like they were driving two old MKll escorts as both had them going from rack to rack. Keogh who has found some form again in the last couple of races was trying everything to get by and did with a lovely move into turn one. Hannan replied swiftly into turn three and took the place back. With both these battling it out Melia pulled clear and was safe in the lead until the safety car came out and he would loose his healthy lead. 

Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Fergal Begley, Sheane, during the Formula Vee race

On the restart Hannon made a move into turn one but Melia had it covered and a better run through turn three saw him pull a slight gap. Keogh now was right on the tail of Hannan and again tried everything to get past but just could not find a way by. Melia cleared off again and reeled off the final couple of laps to take his maiden Formula Vee national win for the SM Racing team. It was well deserved and capped off a great season for him and the team adding to his VW Spares 'B' championship which he secured last time out at Mondello. 

Andy Keogh, Sheane, leads Kieran Hannan, Leastone, during the Formula Vee national race

Conor Melia, Sheane, leads Kieran Hannan, Leastone, and Andy Keogh, Sheane, on his way to winning his first Formula Vee national race.

Conor Melia, Sheane, on his way to winning his first Formula Vee national race

The jubilant Lucan man wasn't shy in showing his joy at taking the win and afterwards said " I'm absolutely buzzing, a bit unexpected today with the two lads been moved to the back of the grid which left me on pole, but it's great for the SM Racing lads. They have put in a lot of work this year. It wasn't easy as the track was very slippy but I just concentrated on my lines and let the lads behind battle it out."

Doherty Wins The Leinster Trophy - Again

Ronan Doherty with the Leinster Trophy after the race.

If there was ever a more deserving winner of an event it would have to be county Antrim's Ronan Doherty. One year on from the heartbreak of loosing out on taking the biggest prize in Irish motor racing due to a disqualification on a technical problem with his car, he took victory in the Selco.ie Formula Vee race for the Leinster Trophy. 

Dating back to the early 1930's the who's who of Irish drivers have won the trophy over the years the likes of John Watson, John Pollock, Tommy Reid, Patsy McGarrity, Vivian Daly, Eddie Jordan, to name a only a few. It is not only prestigious for the great drivers from this land that have won it before but the history of international drivers who went on to the very top of the sport, such as Mike Hawthorn, Mauricio Gugelmin, J.J Lehto, Mika Hakkinen, and the most famous of them all Ayrton Senna.

To add your name to those is a great honor and he did it in style. Having moved to Formula Ford this season he decided to return for this weekend to the Formula Vee series to win the Leinster Trophy and prove to all he was the man to beat and lay to rest the disappointment of last year. Come the test day on Friday his times left everyone in the championship know that he had upped his strong pace from last year and qualified on pole position. 

Ronan Doherty leads the field into turn one during the Leinster Trophy race.

The forecast was for heavy rain, however by the time they lined up on the grid for the Leinster Trophy it was cloudy but dry. He already had given himself a certain confidence boost by winning the two Formula Vee races the day before.

Starting from pole position once again he {and everyone else} knew had the pace over the rest. His opposition would have to get ahead of him straight away and hope they could battle it out and not let him break away if he got out on his own. A harder task on the international track at Mondello, which is much longer and if a break is made it is harder to close down. 

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Tim Murray, Leastone, during the Leinster Trophy race.

Jack Byrne, Sheane, leads Jordan Kelly, Sheane, Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Leinster Trophy race.

Tim Murray who was also making a return to the series this year joined him on the front row. As the lights went out Murray was unfortunetley to eager to make a better start and jumped it. Doherty held firm his line towards turn one and held the inside line into turn one to lead the field. From there he got his head down and began to build a lead as he had done in both races on Saturday. By the end of lap one he was five car lengths ahead of Murray who had been given a ten second penalty, with Jordan Kelly and Anthony Cross behind.

Ronan Doherty, Sheane, on his way to winning the Leinster Trophy race.

Lap on lap he increased his lead leaving those behind in his wake and barring any mechanical problem he was not going to be caught. After a safety car period he once again resumed where he left off and again pulled clear. Cross was into second on the road and ahead of Murray and pulled clear of Kelly who scrapped it out for third with Jack Byrne. Doherty just reeled off the laps without any problem and crossed to take victory by a massive 11 seconds from Cross. Kelly began to drop back leaving newly crowned series champion Gavin Buckley to take his place in the battle for third. It all got very close with Byrne, Buckley and Conor Melia with a couple of corners to go. Byrne held on though and took the last podium spot.

Dave Furlong winner of the 1967 race presents Ronan Doherty with the Leinster Trophy

Ronan Doherty lifts the Leinster Trophy

Ronan Doherty gets sprayed with champagne by Anthony Cross, left, and Jack Byrne, right after winning Leinster Trophy race

Ronan Doherty celebrates after winning Leinster Trophy race

A well deserved victory and one that put the nightmare of the year before to bed.  

Speaking after the race the laid back Antrim man said; " it was a perfect weekend with pole position and the two wins yesterday and winning the Leinster Trophy today. I have to thank the lads for giving me a great car it was on rails and had great pace, I had the easy job of driving it."

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