Byrne Back With A Bang To Win Round 6 - Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

07-June-2025: Jack Byrne lifts the trophy after winning the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

For round six of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Ireland Championship drivers returned to Mondello Park. With the previous three rounds up north it was a welcome return for the competitors to be back at the county Kildare circuit. Also returning to the series was Jack Byrne, Oliver Devlin and Dan Polley after a long break. 

Sadly the warm sunshine that drivers had in Bishopscourt last time out did not last and was replaced with a heavy showers of rain for qualifying. Track conditions were poor with no grip with Ger Byrne, Niall O'Mara and Lee Flynn proving it as all ended up in the gravel trap at turn one. Conor Melia however did not end up in it though as he drove to pole position continuing his great run of form in his SM Racing Sheane. Polley who always goes well at Mondello joined him on the front row with Jack Byrne in third and Gavin Buckley in fourth. Surprisingly Championship leader Colm Blackburn could only manage 8th place and would have work to do come the race.

07-June-2025: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads the field into turn one during the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

While the track dried up fully after qualifying with only minutes before the start of the race the heavens opened once again as the drivers took to the track from the paddock. As they lined up on the grid to take their positions the rain was coming down hard. This left it wide open when trying to pick out who was going to win.

It was now time for Melia to go for the win, he has been up at the sharp end all year and for his national championship chances he need a win to keep up with rivals Buckley and Blackburn. As the lights went out though he made a bad start letting Buckley and Byrne get past. Polley too had got ahead but Melia had the inside line ast the rounded turn one for the first time. Buckley held the lead on the opening lap but Byrne and Melia were right there. The grip level was very poor and all were struggling with the cars getting out of shape so quickly both under braking and when the power was being applied.

07-June-2025: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, and Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

 It was a balancing act and the front three were nose to tail, not giving each other an inch in doing so. Conditions aside it was already a good showing from the Annacurragh man who was having his first event of the year. His two rivals have been out all year but it wasn't showing in the early laps. Buckley though was defending well using his lines well and finding the grip when Byrne got alongside into turn one starting lap three. Melia was there too but lost time at turn one when he was very close to running into the gravel. 

Kieran Hannan and Lee Flynn went one better, both going into the gravel but managed to keep the momentum up to get back out so much so Flynn nearly overtook Hannan as the rejoined the track! A lap later championship leader Blackburn was in it but too go back on track but dropped several places. Already the top three had pulled clear from fourth placed man Polley who was on his own and well ahead of those behind.

07-June-2025: Colm Blackburn, Leastone, went into the gravel at turn one but battled back to fourth place during the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

Byrne was trying everywhere to get by and looking a bit impatient. He got a run down the main straight to get alongside Buckley and managed to get ahead going into turn one but started to get out of shape and was close to loosing it. He didn't but had to slot back into second again. His wanting to get past Buckley in a hurry was justified as Melia had closed right back in and was close to overtaking him at turn one on the next lap. This was letting Buckley open a slight gap in front and with laps running out Byrne would have to make his move soon. Then it all changed. First Melia spun off exiting turn one, he rejoined but was down to fourth, a corner later Buckley was out. He lost it on the run out to turn three and spun into the barrier ending his race. 

This left Byrne out on his own with Polley in second, Melia in third and after a sterling drive back through the field to get back into fourth and was catching Melia fast. This was helped by the fact Melia had lost third gear and was struggling to stay going. He was dropping back to Blackburn at rapid rate of knots. Time was on his side with a lap to go he held on but only just, crossing the line 0.036 of a second ahead of Blackburn as the chequered flag was waved. Polley had a quiet race from the start and finished in second leaving Byrne to come home to take the win. 

07-June-2025: Above: Lee Flynn, Leastone, passes Eamonn Thornton, Leastone.

 Below: Dan Polley, Sheane, on his way to second place during the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

07-June-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, took pole position and third place during the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

It was a very eventful formula vee race but a great return to the series for Byrne who wasn't sure if he would keep up the pace at the front after his pace in testing. He was on the pace though even if it was wet. Speaking afterwards the delighted Wicklow man explained how his race went; 

" We are down on power so when the rain came it levelled the playing field. We got lucky and stayed on track so it worked out well. I'm waiting on my main engine to come back from a rebuild so I wasn't expecting much in qualifying but got a good lap in and then it the rain got heavier so I ended up in third. I got a cracker of a start got into second and had a great battle with Gavin and Conor, until I seen one spinning off in my mirrors and then the other spin off in front of me on the same lap. I backed off a bit after that to get to the finish. It is great to get a win as I haven't been out this year yet but I'm looking forward to getting back here in July for the next round."

07-June-2025: Jack Byrne, Sheane, with his daughter Eabha aged 9 weeks, after winnng the Selco,ie Formula Vee race at Mondello Park. Picture: Barry Cregg

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

O'Hara Outpaces Formula Vee Regulars - Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship Round 3

Kevin O'Hara with the winning trophy after victory in the Selco.ie Formula Vee race at Kirkistown. Picture: Barry Cregg.

A cold and wet weather front greeted the Selco.ie Formula Vee championship contenders on Saturday for round three of the series. Kirkistown Racing Circuit was the venue located south of Belfast along the Ards peninsula. The popular northern track can provide some great racing with slip stream style young racing due to the long straights but this time with the wet conditions on a newly surfaced track it would be a job to stay on it at all. Testing on Friday was also wet so the crews got the setups done well in time for qualifying on Saturday morning.

Kevin O'Hara leads the field on his way to  victory in the Selco.ie Formula Vee race at Kirkistown. Picture: Barry Cregg.

 A much welcome return to the series after a few years away even if it was for this round was Kevin O'Hara. The former winner took time out of running LOH Motorsport to get back behind the wheel of Dan Polley's car which he normally looks after for the Dubliner. Polley himself missing this round due to a clash with the British Formula Vee championship. It would be interesting to see how the rest would fair against the man from Donadea in county Kildare. 

Colm Blackburn, left, leads Kevin O'Hara, right, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race at Kirkistown. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Colm Blackburn, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race at Kirkistown. Picture: Barry Cregg.

As many predicted it was O'Hara who topped the time sheets in qualifying. The wet conditions would make some changes from the normal men that occupy the first couple of rows as Eamonn Thornton and Conor Melia qualified in second and third respectively and ahead of Colm Blackburn and Gavin Buckley. Great performances put in from both 'B' championship drivers. 

Come race time though the clear blue skies had arrived and dried the track out completely but the kerbs and grass verges on the track sides were still wet and could easily catch someone out. As the lights went out Colm Blackburn got a brilliant start getting the jump on the men ahead of him and from row two he went straight into the lead as the went for turn one. O'Hara tried the outside line but Blackburn saw him and held it through turn two. As they exited the chicane O'Hara drew alongside as both raced towards the hairpin in a Senna v Mansell esque scenario. As they exited O'Hara cut back to the inside and took the lead.

Kieran Hannan leads Conor Melia and Fergal Begley during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race at Kirkistown. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Eamonn Thornton, leads Andy Keogh and Niall O'Mara during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race at Kirkistown. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Blackburn wasn't going away and was side by side again at the end of the straight and then swapped to the inside for turn two but as much as he put O'Hara the outside O'Hara held firm and had the inside line on the exit and was back in the lead. A strong couple of moves by both men but it was fair and clean and also great to watch. O'Hara immediately set about to make a break and his quick line through the chicane saw him gap Blackburn by a car length or more. Behind the front two current champion Gavin Buckley was third with Kieran Hannan and Conor Melia behind him. All nose to tail and ready to pounce. Then disaster for Buckley as his car cut out at the hairpin and he dropped right down the field as he tried to get it to fire into life again. This gave the front two a gap as Hanann and Melia dropped back avoiding Buckley. 

Championship leader Gavin Buckley dropped points after mechanical problems during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race at Kirkistown. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Kevin O'Hara, on his way to victory in the Selco.ie Formula Vee race at Kirkistown.Picture: Barry Cregg.

O'Hara extended his lead but Blackburn was still trying and still in touch but was not able to close in and he was doing the same to Hanann in third. Melia too dropped back in fourth a few car lengths behind Hannan leaving the first four evenly spaced out. By halfway O'Hara was well in command and counting down the laps and barring mechanical failure it was his to loose. Behind though there were changes. Fourth place man Conor Melia had to retire with an engine problem elevating Fergal Begley for a couple of laps until front row starter Eamonn Thornton got past. Sadly too late for the Roscommon man to get a chance at a podium as the front three were well clear. Hannan was showing great pace in his first race of the year and was now right on the gearbox of Blackburn who seemed to drop off his earlier pace. 

Kevin O'Hara, on his way to victory in the Selco.ie Formula Vee race at Kirkistown.Picture: Barry Cregg.

Time was running out for him though, but he pressed Blackburn hard and as he got a good run out of the chicane with a lap to go a backmarker cost him time down to hairpin. He tried a move down the inside but just couldn't make it stick. Blackburn held on as they started the final lap. Hanan tried again at turn two and again on the run to the hairpin but just could not find a way by. No such worries for O'Hara who took the chequered flag with ease and added another win to the list. Blackburn took second with Hannan third. 

It was a convincing win and shows the level that the rest have to reach if they want to take a win from the Kildare man. Will he be out later in the year who knows, it would be great to see him out again time will tell. He was pleased with his efforts over the weekend. " It was easier than I was expecting but it was still enjoyable though. It was pity Gavin ran into a problem as it was close at the start. It was good fun and I hope to be out again if Dan isn't around."

Kevin O'Hara with his brother John and the winning trophy after victory in the Selco.ie Formula Vee race at Kirkistown. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Results: 

Selco.ie National Championship:

1st Kevin O'Hara

2nd Colm Blackburn

3rd Kieran Hannan

TyreDoctor.ie 'B' Championship:

1st Conor Melia

2nd Eamonn THornton

3rd Andy Keogh

PrecisionWorks Engineering Rookie Championship:

1st Lee Flynn

2nd Brian Cowan

3rd James Lawless

Melia and Flynn Take the Spoils In TyreDoctor.ie and PrecisionWorks Engineering / VW Spares Ltd Championships - Formula VEE

Above: Conor Meila with his trophy after winning the 'B' race.
Below: Lee Flynn with his trophy after winning the 'Rookie' race. Pitcures: Barry Cregg.

A wet and cold start to the third round of the TyreDoctor.ie and PrecisionWorks Engineering / VW Spares Ltd Formula Vee championship contenders on Saturday. Kirkistown Racing Circuit was the venue located south of Belfast along the Ards peninsula. The popular northern track can provide some great racing with slip stream style young racing due to the long straights but this time with the wet conditions on a newly surfaced track it would be a job to stay on it at all. Testing on Friday was also wet so the crews got the setups done well in time for qualifying on Saturday morning. 

Conor Melia, Sheane, leads Fergal Begley, Sheane, and Eamonn Thornton, Leastone, during the  TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Despite the conditions Eamonn Thornton, Conor Melia, Fergal Begley and Lee Flynn really upped their game and put in some quick times to put themselves right in the mix the with 'A' championship runners. So for the combined B/C championships race Eamonn Thornton lined up on pole position his best qualifying to date, and ahead of Conor Melia. Fergal Begley and Lee Flynn lined up on row two so it would be a close battle if the previous race in Mondello was to go by. The wet and greasy conditions would also have an effect and needed to be treated carefully. A heavy mist came down as the rolled up to the line and as the lights went out it was Melia who got the best start and lead the field away to turn one. Begley also got a flyer and moved into second demoting Thornton to third. 

By the end of the first lap it remained the same but all were nose to tail so anything could happen and still very early days. Begley tried to take the lead on the inside of turn one but had to back out but still kept enough momentum to try a move on the outside of turn two. However it ended in a spin and all hopes of victory gone. This left Melia and Thornton to battle it out at the front and both men from Lucan in Dublin had similar pace so it would who had the nerve to try a move in the tricky and slippery conditions. 

Conor Melia, Sheane, leads and Eamonn Thornton, Leastone, during the  TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race.
Picture: Barry Cregg.

In the Rookie championship race Lee Flynn and Brian Cowan were having a right scrap nose to tail from the off with Cowan holding the lead on the opening lap but a brilliant outside line move at turn one saw Flynn take the lead. Once there he started to break clear and made inroads to the 'B' runners ahead.

Up front Melia had his work cut out holding Thornton off and a move down the inside at turn one saw Thornton take the lead. A slide on the exit of turn three saw Melia loose ground over the next couple of laps but not enough to loose the crucial toe. Two laps later and a better exit from the chicane saw both men side by side down the back straight. It looked as if Melia had it at the hairpin but Thornton drew alongside down the main straight and held the lead but only just. This was another cracker at Kirkistown despite the bad weather. Niall O'Mara was lying comfortably in third and on for some good points but ran wide on the exit of turn 3 and hit the barrier but luckily managed to get back going but dropped down the field. More points lost as in Mondello. Surely his luck will have to change soon. 

Eamonn Thornton, Leastone, leads Conor Melia, Sheane, during the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race.
Picture: Barry Cregg.

Niall O'Mara, Leastone, leads Andy Keogh, Sheane, during the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race.
Picture: Barry Cregg.

Back at the head of the field Thornton again made a gap on Melia but lost it overtaking the struggling O'Mara which lead to Melia getting on his tail again and despite his best efforts to get by at the hairpin each lap he lost his advantage on the exit and could not make the move stick down the main straight. With laps running out it would have to work or find a new spot to take the lead. With a two laps to go he pulled it off and bravely held it round the outside of turn one to stay in the lead. His pace trough the chicane helped him pull enough of a gap to prevent a move by Thornton down the back straight but there was still a lap to go. 

Our rookie leader Flynn had now made his way up to fifth place overall passing 'B' runners Fergal Begley and Colin Lewis in the process. A great run for the Waterford man and he nearly got fourth but sadly for him he ran out of laps and Ger Byrne survived the pressure he came under in closing stages.

Lee Flynn, Leastone, during the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Lee Flynn, Leastone, leads Aaron Murray, Sheane, during the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race.
Picture: Barry Cregg.

All eyes were on first and second however as they raced to the hairpin for the final time. An side move by Thornton ended in a spin and luckily it didn't end with a collision with Melia. It did end his chances of victory though but luckily he still had enough over third place man Andy Keogh to keep himself in second. It left Melia to take the chequered flag with ease. It was the only point in the whole race he could do anything with ease. It was a great first championship victory for the Dubliner and also a great way to put the ghosts of the bad crash he had at the circuit last season to bed. Thornton came home in second, still a great result for him and Andy Keogh took third.

Andy Leogh, Sheane, during the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race. Picture: Barry Cregg.

A delighted winner after the race explained how it went " It's great to finally get my first win after all that happened last year here. It was hard the weather made the track so slippy in places it was like ice. Eamonn and myself had a great battle so fair play to him it was great fun. Hopefully I can do it at Bishopscourt next time out."

In the rookie class Flynn just missed out on gaining a fifth place but was well clear of Brian Cown in second with James Lawless in third.

James Lawless, Leastone, leads Sean Slevin, Leastone, during the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race.
Picture: Barry Cregg.

Brian Cowan, Sheane, leads Fergal Begley, Sheane, during the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race.
Picture: Barry Cregg.

Conor Melia with girlfiend Dori after the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race.
Picture: Barry Cregg.

Results:

TyreDoctor.ie 'B' Championship

1st Conor Melia

2nd Eamonn Thornton

3rd Andy Keogh

PrecisionWorks Ltd ' Rookie' Championship

1st Lee Flynn

2nd Brian Cowan

3rd James Lawless

Double Tops For Buckley In Season Opener - Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

06-April-2025: Gavin Buckley, left, Sheane, leads Colm Blackburn, Leastone, right, during the first race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

The Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship kicked off in Mondello Park on Sunday. The weather was perfect for racing around the 1.8km county Kildare circuit. With track resurfacing done in a couple of areas of the track over the winter lap times were expected to drop and a new lap record possibly on the cards.

2024 champion Gavin Buckley would be the favourite for the days two races with Colm Blackburn being the closest challenger to him this weekend. Jack Byrne, last years runner up, missed this meeting as his wife Michelle gave birth to a baby girl on Friday morning but  will be at the next round of the series. A massive congratulations to them both on the new arrival baby Eabha.

06-April-2025: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, on his way to pole postion for the days two races. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Buckley did as expected and put it on pole but not from his main national class rivals. Niall O'Mara who is only in his third season of racing, had a great qualifying and put his SM Racing Leastone on the front row. His pace had gotten much quicker towards the end of last year, but to put it on the front race at the first meeting of the season is a solid effort. For race one Buckley got the best start and lead them into turn one with with Blackburn behind. Niall O'Mara didn't get away well a dropped a couple of positions down the field. The front two didn't waste time in breaking away from the field on the opening laps. Blackburn made his move on the final corner to take the lead but Buckley got a better exit and powered back past down towards turn one and retook the lead. A bad exit by Blackburn out of turn one helped Buckley open a gap and over the following laps built on it. Behind the front two Niall O'Mara began to make his way through the field having a great battle with Sean McClements, Conor Melia and Fergal Begley. McClements closed in on second place man Blackburn but ran wide on the exit of turn three dropping him back to the chasing back lead by O'Mara.

06-April-2025: Niall O'Mara, Leastone, leads Conor Melia, Sheane, during the first race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

06-April-2025: Trevor Delaney, Sheane, leads Robert Flemming, left, Sheane, and James Kent, right, Sheane, right, during the first race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

06-April-2025: Sean McClements, Sheane, leads Niall O'Mara, Leastone, right, during the first race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Trevor Delaney who started at the back of the grid was carving his way through the field and was up to ninth by the end of lap 5. O'Mara tried a late move on McClements into turn one and very nearly took both men out but luckily managed to hold it together to remain in fourth. He tried again into the esses but could not find a way by. It was a great battle to watch but it was letting Conor Melia close in but now Delaney was up to sixth and closing in fast. By lap seven it was a four car train for third. Delaney got up to fifth after Melia ran wide in the middle of the esses and closed in on O'Mara. A lap later he was past after a great move at the final corner. He tried an outside move at the same corner a lap later but while it didn't come off he got great drive down the main straight and was past before turn one and into third. This was certainly the drive of the race. He would have given Buckley a fight for the win if he had started from his qualifying position. 

06-April-2025: Fergal Begley, Sheane, leads Sean McClements, Sheane, during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

06-April-2025: Eamonn Thornton, Leastone, leads Sean McClements, Sheane, during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Buckley was way out in front and just counting down the laps to the chequered flag as to was Blackburn in second. Melia lost two places to Fergal Begley and Eamonn Thornton and with a couple of laps to go it would be hard to get them back. Sadly a clash of wheels at turn one between O'Mara and Begley saw the end of O'Mara's race as he got lifted up and spun into the grass damaging the car. A shame for what was a good race for the Tipperary man. 

It was however the reigning champion Buckley who showed them all the way home in a dominant drive from lights to flag. Colm Blackburn had a solid but lonely race to come home second and rounding out the podium was Trevor Delaney who had the most interesting race out of all the drivers.

06-April-2025: Andy Keogh, Sheane, during qualifying. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.-

06-April-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, leads Sean McClements, Sheane, during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

For race two of the day it was again Buckley on pole from Conor Melia in second. Just like race one he got the best start and lead the field into turn one. Melia held second from a hard charging Eamon Thornton who was showing great pace. Once again Trevor Delaney had to start at the back of the grid but was not long making his way through the field in the opening laps. Sean McClements was into fourth ahead of Begley. McClements driving like a veteran even if he is in his first year of racing cars. A lap later Delaney was up to fifth and closing in on fourth place man McClements. He made a move down the inside at the final corner and took fourth but on the exit they collided and ended up spinning into the pit wall heavily. with the car to damaged to move the red flags were brought out. Thankfully Delaney was unhurt but his meeting was over. 

06-April-2025: Lee FLynn, Leastone, during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

06-April-2025: John Lawless, Leastone, during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

06-April-2025: Brian Cowan, Sheane, leads John Lawless, Leastone, Lee Flynn, Sheane, and James Kent, Sheane, during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

On the restart Buckley again got into the lead off the line from Melia, McClements and Thornton. Buckley had already built a comfortable lead over Melia who was having his best drive to date in second but the battle for third was heating up between McClements, Thornton and Begley. Thornton tried a move down the inside of the final corner on McClements but their wheels touched and McClements got flipped into the air and rolled into the gravel trap landing on his wheels. This brought out the red flags yet again and the race was declared a result. A shame as the battle for third was looking to be an entertaining one for the the onlookers.

So a short race two but thankfully nobody was hurt in the incidents. It was a perfect weekend for Buckley with two pole positions and two wins to start off his defence of the championship. It was great to see the mid field runners from last year up their pace and take podiums and high point placings in the season opener. It was great to see the close battles with the rookie drivers like Brian Cowan, John Lawless, Lee Flynn and Sean McClements right in the field having a good race with more experienced drivers. Hopefully the damaged cars of Delaney and McClements can be repaired in time for the next round in Kirkistown in 3 weeks time. It will be a very different test for them as the speeds will increase and the slipstream racing on the long straights of the northern track. 

06-April-2025: Colm Blackburn, Leastone, during the first race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

06-April-2025: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

06-April-2025: Trevor Delaney's, Sheane, being brought back to the paddock after his crash during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

06-April-2025: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

06-April-2025: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Speaking after the race the double pole , victor and fastest lap man Buckley, was happy with how his day went, " You couldn't make it up, fantastic day, fantastic weather the new surface made it more drivable. You couldn't ask for a better start to a title defence."

Results:

Race 1

Selco.ie National Championship:

1 - Gavin Buckley 

2 - Colm Blackburn 

3 - Trevor Delaney 

TyreDoctor.ie B Championship:

1 - Fergal Begley 

2 - Conor Melia 

3 - Eamonn Thornton 

PrecisionWorks Rookie Championship:

1 - Lee Flynn 

2 - Brian Cowan 

3 - John Lawless

Race 2

Selco.ie National Championship:

1 - Gavin Buckley 

2 - Conor Melia

3 - Eamonn Thornton 

TyreDoctor.ie B Championship:

1 - Conor Melia 

2 - Eamonn Thornton 

3 - Fergal Begley 

PrecisionWorks Rookie Championship:

1 - Sean McClements 

2 - Lee Flynn 

3 - Brian Cowan