Tohill Makes It Four From Four - IRX Rallycross Championship Rounds 3 & 4

Derek Tohill in action during a heat at the IRX Rallycross Championship at Mondello Park.

The third and fourth rounds of the PartsforCars.ie Irish Rallycross Championship took place at Mondello Park last weekend to mark the halfway stage of the series. Current champion Derek Tohill was back out fresh from claiming his second Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship at Lydden Hill earlier this month. 

The Supercar class is the top tier class in rallycross and Tohill would be joined on the grid by local man Tommy Graham who would taking his first run out in the ex John McCluskey Ford Fiesta. William Carey, Declan Kelly, Darragh Morris and the return of Shane Murphy in his VW Polo. 

The Modified class saw a great entry once again  with round two winner Peter McGarry back out in his Fully rebuilt VW Polo and would be looking to take victory in the modified class once again. He would be up against an in form Sam Bovill in his Ford Fiesta and Willie Coyne in his trusty Opel Corsa. The ever popular IRX Junior class saw a health entry of youngsters take to the grids in the usual mixture of Mini's and fiestas. Add the IRX Clubman, Rallycar, Autocross, Super Buggies, classes it would be another busy and action packed weekend. 

The weather was miserable on Saturday morning with heavy overnight rain leaving large Puddles of water around the county Kildare circuit. Visibility would be bad for the morning but by the afternoon it was to clear up.

Bradley Turner in action during the Buggie race at Mondello Park

In the supercars the Tohill Dominated the heats with three wins on the bounce to lead overall on times.That said WIlliam Carey kept him honest in heat two and three and Murphy was looing the rustiness and was getting quicker as the day wore on. The conditions for the early heats were wet but it was drying as the day went on but it still left drivers fighting to keep their powerful machines on track as they tried to find grip. As the day wore on the weather improved and the track dried but it also got colder too still leaving grip levels low.  

For the final it was Tohill on pole from Carey and Graham, with Murphy and Morris at the back with all the work to do. It would not be easy but if he wanted a chance of a win Murphy would have to get past Carey and Graham early on. As the lights went out it was Tohill who got the best start and lead into turn one followed by Carey, Graham, Murphy and Morris. Murphy wasted no time in getting past Graham and Carey and was on the same pace as Tohill. Tohill however was that fraction quicker each lap but by no means was he pulling away. As the others completed their joker laps ( an added section of track to be completed once during a race) the front two still raced away waiting to see who would joker first.  Murphy did and hoped to gain enough for  final lap and try and take the lead. He was close but the few tenths Tohill had on him proved enough to stay in the lead on the final lap to take the win. Tohill spoke afterwards " I'm delighted to get the win it was close between me and Shane but its also good for the championship and to get the hard work done now and use the other rounds to test the Hoosier tyres for the European rounds next year. It means we have room if they don't work as well and we drop points in those rounds."

William Carey, Ford Fiesta, leads Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, and Tommy Graham, Ford Fiesta, during the Supercar race at Mondello Park. 

Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, leads Shane Murphy, VW Polo, Tommy Graham, Ford Fiesta, and William Carey, Ford Fiesta, during the Supercar Final at Mondello Park.

Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, on his way to winning the Supercar Final at Mondello Park.

In the modified class for two wheel drive cars,  it was battles between Peter McGarry, Sam Bovill and Willie Coyne to decide victory that entertained the crowd all day long. Wet weather conditions made it twice as hard as they have only two wheel drive unlike the 4wd Supercars. The heats saw wins for all three men but it was Peter McGarry who headed the field overall after the three heats . The early heats saw the slippiest conditions after the rainfall leaving the drivers fighting to keep their pocket rockets on track as they tried to find grip. The weather improved and the track dried but the temperatures dropped. As semi final one got under way in was McGarry on pole from Bovill with the hard charging Niall Carey in third. As the lights went out it was McGarry who got the better start and lead the field into turn one and lead the whole race long to take the win. It was Carey in second leaving Bovill in third. 

In the second semi final Coyne was on pole from very quick Pete Dornan in his Peugeot 206 and Kieran Curran in third in another Corsa. It was Curran who got the better start and lead into turn one from Coyne with English visitor Liam Doran in third. Curran another man not out for a while had pace early on but dropped off as the race wore on to let Coyne in to the lead which he held to the chequered flag. Dornan came home second after another almighty flat out drive which is great to watch as he flings the little French car around in efforts to stay with the quick men ahead.

For the final it was McGarry on pole from Coyne and Dornan. It would not be easy to pick a winner as all had similar pace. It was Coyne however who got . As the lights went out it was McGarry who got the best start and lead into turn one followed by Coyne and Bovill.  From the off it was a close affair between the top four all nose to tail providing great viewing for the hardy souls braving the cold and now near dark evening. It already a race where it was going to be who jokered first. Coyne went for it on lap two leaving McGarry off to put in a quick lap in hope to have an advantage over Coyne come his turn to joker. He made his move a lap later but was slower and Coyne got back into the lead and has to be said really driving the little Opel Corsa on the absolute limit in efforts to keep the modern Polo behind. No matter how hard McGarry tried he just couldn't get past and Coyne took the win. Coyne spoke afterwards " I'm thrilled to get that win, I drove as hard as I could to stay ahead of Peter, the car was on two wheels in a few place. It was great fun and I enjoyed it."

Sam Bovill, Ford Fiesta, in action during the Modified race at Mondello Park.

Willie Coyne, Opel Corsa, in action during the Modified race at Mondello Park.

Peter McGarry, VW Polo, leads Sam Bovill, Ford Fiesta, and Michael Coyne, Citroen DS3, during the Modified race at Mondello Park.

In the Junior Rallycross class for the stars of the future the current champion Logan Hoey like Tohill in the Supercars dominated the heats winning all three of his to finish first overall on times. As semi final one got under way in was Logan Hoey on pole from Hugo Loonan with Eoin Dooley in third. As the lights went out it was Hoey who got the better start and once again lead the way. As always he put in strong laps and wasn't challenged. They finished the same a the starting order although Ailish Sexton wasn't far off third.

In the second semi final it was Cody Mahon on pole from David McAdams and Sean Savage. It was Mahon lead into turn one and like Hoey put in the laps and pulled away easily. The battle behind though was close with Savage moving into second which he held by just two tenths of a second at the end.

For the final it was which had to be run on Sunday morning as daylight was too poor on Saturday evening, Hoey on pole from Mahon and Loonam. As the lights went out Hoey got to much wheel spin and dropped to third behind Mahon who got the best start and lead into turn one. Hoey's circuit racing experience showing through at turn two as he was up to second and then began to put in the times following Mahon and before taking the lead. He reeled off the laps to take another win and increase his championship lead. The rest will have to find something before he builds up a too big a lead to catch. Loonam got the better of Mahon to take second  with McAdams and Sexton rounding out the top five. In the Super Buggies Chris Kelly took the win from Ben Walsh and Paul Brogan. In the FIA Cross Car class Jack Newman took the win from Liam McMullan and Teddie MacPherson who battled all day. In the IRX Rallycar class the two citroen men Stephen Lipsett and Ken McGrath battled all day with Lipsett taking the win. UK visitor Abbie McGuinness again showed a clean pair of heals to the men in the IRX Clubman class to take the win from Thomas McManus and John Shaw. It would be great to see her move up to the modified class next season as I am sure she would be very capable in a good car to take victory there also.

Hugo Loonam, Mini, leads Cody Mahon, Mini, durng the IRX Junior race at Mondello Park

Sean Savage, Mini, in action during the IRX Juniors race at Mondello Park

Logan Hoey, Mini, leads Cody Mahon, Mini, during the IRX Juniors race at Mondello Park

Eoin Dooley, Ford Fiesta, Hugo Loonam, Mini, and David McAdams, Mini, during the IRX Juniors

race at Mondello Park

For Sunday the weather was dry and overcast but no rain in sight although it was again very cold. In the supercars the heats saw wins for Tohill and Carey overall on times While on paper it looked as Tohill was again in dominant form. In reality he was being pushed all the way in the heats from both Carey and Murphy. Tommy Graham was also getting quicker as he was getting more used to his new car. It was great to see Declan Kelly back out after three years rebuilding his beautiful Ford Fiesta. Barry Morris was also out in his Hyundai. Murphy had a mechanical problem in heat two costing him time overall while Carey won heat 3 to give him a front row start for the final. 

For the final it was Tohill on pole from Carey and Graham. As the lights went out it was Tohill who got the best start and lead into turn one followed by Carey and Graham. There was nothing in it in the opening laps Carey hounding him and looked quicker on the loose sections. Tohill jokered first with a lap of 44.492 seconds, Carey did the same a lap later but had a lap of 444.667 seconds, it was enough to just hold the lead when rejoining the track. Carey tried hard in the remaining two laps but just couldn't find enough of a gap to try a move. It was a thrilling race and Tohill worked for the win and deserved it. Tohill spoke afterwards " That was a hard one, fair play to William he drove superb and pushed me all the way. We had another great weekend four wins on the bounce leaves us in a good place at the halfway point of the season."

Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, leads William Carey, Ford Fiesta, Tommy Graham, Ford Fiesta, and Shane Murphy, VW Polo, during the Supercar Final at Mondello Park.

Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, leads William Carey, Ford Fiesta, during the Supercar Final at Mondello Park.

In the modified class the saw heat wins for Peter McGarry, Sam Bovill and Willie Coyne. Both McGarry and Coyne both had wins in their semi-finals. If the day before was anything to go by it should be another brilliant battle. Coyne lined up on pole from McGarry with Sam Bovill in third. As the lights went out it was Bovill who got the better start but as he exited turn one the car spun round and he could not get going and he was out. A shame as he could have taken it to Coyne and McGarry.  on the restart it was McGarry who got the best start to lead into turn one.  Again not much between the two men who were quick to pull away from Niall Carey in third. As with the final the day before it was about who would joker first and could they do enough to hold or take the lead when the time came. Coyne went first on lap 4. He was 2 seconds quicker on that lap than McGarry was on his which helped him make the overtake and move into the lead. Try as he might McGarry couldn't close in and it was Coyne who took the win and make it two wins this weekend. Niall Carey came home in third.

Coyne speaking afterwards ." It's been a great weekend to take two wins. I am just concentrating on the modified class championship and this year and this weekend will help that". 

Willie Coyne, Opel Corsa, on his way to winning the Modified final at Mondello Park

Sam Bovill, Ford Fiesta, leads the field into turn one during the Modified final at Mondello Park

John Rock lifts Sam Bovill's Ford Fiesta, after it broke down during the Modified final at Mondello Park

Peter McGarry, VW Polo, leads Willie Coyne, Opel Corsa, into turn one during the Modified final at Mondello Park

In the Junior Rallycross class saw Logan Hoey once again come out on top after the heats when he won his three. Cody Mahon and David McAdams were not far behind though and out to stop Hoey's good run of form. The Junior grid had an extra car as Luke O'Connell was out for the first time in the academy car. As semi final one got under way in was Hoey on pole from McAdams with Keenan Murphy rounding out the front row. As the lights went out it was Hoey who got the better start but McAdams was right alongside as the exited turn one.  Once out in front after the opening lap Hoey began to put in quicker times and pulled away and took the win.

In the second semi final Cody Mahon was on pole from Hugo Loonam and Sean Savage. It was Mahon who lead into turn one from Loonam with Savage in. A slow first lap from Mahon kept Loonam in touch but Mahon was just a few tenths quicker on the rest to take the win. Savage ran his own race to finish third. 

For the final it was Hoey on pole from Mahon and McAdams.Loonam was in fourth on row two but had the pace to get on the poidium. Again it was Hoey who got the best start and lead into turn one followed by Mahon, McAdams and Lonam.  AS with the heat Hoey just got into his rhythm straight away and began to put in the times. Behind the chasing three battled it out for the poidum spots and with a quicker joker lap Loonam moved up to third but there was no catching Hoey who once again took the win making it four in a row. Hoey spoke afterwards " The weekend went well apart from a wheel bearing issue in one heat. The competition is fierce and I just had to put my head down and do my job. Winning eight races out of eight was amazing for me and the team. I'm excited for next year and hopefully 2026 brings the same results to finish the seaon. Thanks to Dad for making it happen along with Fire Protection Specialists, Dynamite Fireworks, Swan Rock Quarries, Napa Racing UK and Duprint."

Luke O'Connell, Mini, during the IRX Juniors race at Mondello Park

Logan Hoey, Mini, during the IRX Juniors race at Mondello Park

Dean Deasy, Mini, leads Luke O'Connell, Mini, during the IRX Juniors race at Mondello Park

Cody Mahon, Mini, leads Hugo Loonam, Mini, during the IRX Juniors race at Mondello Park

In the Super Buggies Paul Brogan won from Ben Walsh and Ciaran Greenan. The IRX Clubman class final was won of the best races of the weekend with a grid packed with mini's It was Abbie McGuinness who took the win by a whisker from Thomas McManus. McManus tried everything to get by and looked to have the lead got as McGuinness was taking her joker lap but as they both headed for rallycross three McGuinnes just nosed herself in front and held it to the line and won by .348 of a second. Stephen Lipsett took the win from Pat Masterson and Glenn Montgomery in the rallycar class.

Abbie McGuinness, Mini, leads Tom McManus, Mini, during the IRX CLubmans Race at Mondello Park

  The next round of the championship takes place on November the 7th and 8th of March 2026.

Irish Rallycross Championship Awards Night

Derek Tohill with the National Rallycross Trophy which he won for the ninth time.

The PartsforCars.ie Irish Rallycross Championship awards took place at Lawlors Hotel in Naas, Co. Kildare on Saturday night. It was a chance for drivers to catch up, see who has changed cars or class and go over the previous season. Rallycross is on the up again after a lull of a few years with increasing numbers in all classes especially in the junior class which is most important for the sport. It was a very rewarding night for the Tallaght and Terenure fraternity taking a large haul of silverware home. Father and son pairing and series sponsors Derek and George Tohill from Terenure, and the Coyne brothers Michael and Willie from Tallaght. 

These four men have given so much to the sport over the last 35 years and all have lost none of the hunger a motivation to give up anytime soon. Michael Coyne unveiled his new Citroen DS3 which he will use to compete in the modified class this season. Speaking ahead of the presentations he explained his reason for the new car, " well I had a major surgery during the year and while I was in hospital I seen enough to make me think why not bite the bullet and buy the car. Life is too short so I bought the Citroen and cant wait to get out in it in a couple of weeks." It will be interesting to see how he fair against his brother Willie who will once again be out in his trusty Opel Corsa and was this years winner of the modiifed championship ahead of Michael. He also took runner up spot overall in the National Rallycross Championship. 

Drew Furlong presents George Tohill with his trophy at the IRX awards

Drew Furlong presents Michael Coyne with his trophy at the IRX awards

George Tohill, left, Michael Coyne, centre, and Willie Coyne, right, with his trophy at the IRX awards

Drew Furlong presents Willie Coyne with his trophy at the IRX awards

The Tohill father and son team who are synonymous with rallycross in Ireland and the UK, had a great night with George taking fourth in the modified championship and Derek doing the double in winning the Supercar and the National  championships. It has been a busy year and it is not over yet for the record breaking nine time champion as he will be doing the next British Championship round which is being held in Mondello on the 4th and 5th of October and a round of the French championship before the years end. Both men giving the audience on the night great entertainment while being interviewed by host Leo Nulty,  when Derek mimicked his father when explaining about the moment he had realised he was on the wrong size wheels for the last 30 years!

Top: onlookers inspect the new car joining the grid next season.
Centre: Michael Coyne in his new Citroen which he will use in the modified class this year.
Bottom: the new Citroen DS3 on display at the IRX awards

With the first round of the Irish championship only a few weeks away and with it also being a round of the British championship where he will again be competing in his new Peugeot, he will be out to take that title too. Derek recapped on his year and his reason for changing to a new car and his new hunger for the sport. 

Top: George Tohill in action in his BMW.
Centre: Michael Coyne in action in his Vauxhall Nova
Bottom: Derek Tohill in action in his Ford Fiesta

"It is nice to get another championship and the last one with the Fiesta which owes me nothing at this stage. It has been an incredible car to me nine years and nine championships and it rarely let me down. It was coming to the point where there was never a chance to give her a full nut and bolt rebuild as we were competing here and the UK and europe too at times. That meant the reliability wasn't going to continue, so it was either take a year out and do that or change car. I felt if I took a year out I might get comfortable supporting other drivers and not come back. So we bought the Peugeot and they say a change is as good as a rest and it has given me a whole new hunger and lease of life for the sport. There is loads more to come with that car where we are looking to do the French and maybe the European championship. I am still in the title for the British but lost a load of points last time out in Pembrey when we got taken out but we will out to give it a go in Mondello".

Derek Tohill in action in his Peugeot 208

Derek Tohill in action in his Peugeot 208

The Junior class saw Logan Hoey claim the title once again to add to his ICCR success this year and he will be one to watch in the future and it will be interesting to see how he progresses in the sport. He was followed by Cody Mahon and Alex Conlon but the women are on their way lads and Ailish Sexton and Leah McManus got quicker as the season went on and werent that far behind the top three as the season closed.

Top: Drew Furlong presents Logan Hoey with his trophy at the IRX awards
Centre: Logan Hoe being interviewed by Leo Nulty at the IRX awards
Bottom: The top six in the IRX Junior Rallycross Championship

In the rallycar class Niall Carey took the honors from Thomas O'Rafferty and Peter Quigley and for next season Carey announced he will be moving up to the modified class and promising to challenge the Coyne brothers in the process. Abbie McGunniess took the honors in the Clubman modified class. A great achievement for English girl who travels across for each round. Sadly the large Buggy class wasn't represented on the night but Conor McCarthy took the championship from Liam McMullen and Darach Duffin

.

Top: Abbie McGuinness, Mini, leads Stanley Bovill, Ford Escort, during the Open Clubman race.
Centre: Abbie McGuinness with her trophies at the IRX awards.
Bottom: Drew Furlong presents Willie Coyne with his trophy at the IRX awards

So with the new season only a couple of weeks away it looks like it will be even more competitive. For more information on events go to www.IRX.ie where you will find out all the information on the series and dates.

Tohill Does the Double at IRX rounds 3 and 4

03-March-2024; Derek Tohill, FOrd Fiesta, on his way to victory in the Superfinal. partsforcars.ie IRX Championship, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture Barry Cregg.

Derek Tohill made it two wins from two at the wknd in Mondello Park, for rounds three and four of the partforcars.ie IRX Championship. On Saturday for round 3 the cold weather and eventual hail shower made life hard for competitors choosing the correct tyre and compound for the heats and finals. 

Hoping to build on his championship lead after winning the opening rounds. It looked good with a second place behind local man Tommy Graham in the opening heat and a win in the second but a collision with rival Michael Leonard in the third, through no fault of his own dropped him down in the times but he was still quicker enough to start from pole for the final. 

03-March-2024; Derek Tohill, left, Ford Fiesta, leads John McCluskey, right, Ford Fiesta, with Michael Leonard, Ford Fiesta, and Tommy Graham, Ford Fiesta, into turn one during the Supercar race. partsforcars.ie IRX Championship, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Jack Cregg.

His thrusty Ford Fiesta known as 'Molly' had a few battle scars but he would have a lot more by the events end on sunday. A great start off the line gave him the lead into turn one and he was never headed although fellow ford driver John McCluskey kept him honest right to the chequered flag finished just under half a second behind. Another win in the Superfinal gave him a terrific double.

Sunday dawned for round four of the championship and it look as if the Tohill's good run came to and end in heat one. Yet another collision this time with rival McCluskey resulted in a broken rear suspension and a dnf. However the partsforcars.ie team worked their magic and had the car fixed in time for heat two. He repayed them with two second places in the following heats. The dnf earlier meant a second row start for the final though. A good start saw him move up to third going into turn one but a coming together with John McCluskey saw him loosing his front bumper and wing.

03-March-2024; Derek Tohill, Ford Fiesta, leads Darragh Morris, Subaru Impreza, during the Supercar race. partsforcars.ie IRX Championship, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Poor 'Molly' was looking very second hand but still seemed to be handling resonable enough to continue although crucial time lost to rival Leonard who was out front and looking strong. Try as he might Tohill could not cath him and had to take the runner up spot this time. For the Superfinal he would start in the middle of the front row sandwhiched between his two rivals who were also team-mates. Yet again the partsforcars,ie team worked wonders and 'Molly' was looking new again. Tohill got the start right and got the jump on his two rivals and lead into turn one.

Instead of working together the two Murray Motorsport run cars did not give each other an inch and as a result they collided and both ended up in the barriers exiting turn one. While McCluskey got back going Leonards races was over with his right rear wheel hanging offand pulled off track at turn three. Tohill was out front and by the end of lap two he was cruising. McCluskey battled his way back to fourth by the end. It was another Superfinal win for Tohill, to round out a hectic weekend's racing.

03-March-2024; Derek Tohill, Ford Fiesta, leads John McCluskey, Ford Fiesta, during the Supercar race. partsforcars.ie IRX Championship, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

03-March-2024; Derek Tohill, Ford Fiesta, during the Supercar race. partsforcars.ie IRX Championship, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

02-March-2024; Derek Tohill, left, Ford Fiesta, leads John McCluskey, Ford Fiesta, with Tommy Graham, Ford Fiesta and MIchael Leonard, Ford Fiesta, into turn one during the Supercar race. partsforcars.ie IRX Championship, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Jack Cregg.

A break to the 25th and 26th of May where the British championship travels over for a round of their championship and also to contest the Irish Rallycross Grand Prix. An event not to be missed if last years was anything to go by, where local driver Tommy Graham took the win. Tohill will be out to add that trophy to the cabinet.

  

O'Donovan and Tohill share the spoils at the opening Weekend of the Partsforcars.ie IRX 2023

Patrick O'Donovan, right, Proton Iriz, leads Derek Tohill, Ford Fiesta, centre, and Michael Leonard, Ford Fiesta, left, during the Supercar final during round 1 of the Partsforcars.ie IRX Championship. Picture: Barry Cregg

Reigning Irish rallycross champion Derek Tohill took his maiden win of the new season at Mondello Park in county Kildare on Sunday. The all new look Partsforcars.ie IRX series saw a bumper supercar entry with former champion John McCluskey making a return to the sport in a two car team with Kildare circuit racer Michael Leonard. Both men driving Ford Fiesta’s similar to Tohill’s and being run by the Murray Motorsport team are a welcome addition to the series this year.

The rise in popularity of the sport in recent times is encouraging to the die hard rallycross fans who hark back to the days of old in the late 1980’s and late 1990’s when rallycross was the one of the most exciting motorsport to watch.

 Michael Leonard, Ford Fiesta, leads Patrick O'Donovan, right, Proton Iriz,  during the Supercar final during round 1 of the Partsforcars.ie IRX Championship. Picture: Jack Cregg

This year’s series has a new format which sees the nine round championship compacted into five weekends over the year with four being double headers and one overseas trip to Pembrey in Wales. For the first round on Saturday, competitors had a new track layout. Turn 3 on the racing circuit was now added in. This gave drivers a chance to really stretch the legs of their 600bhp supercars.

Visiting from the UK for the first two rounds at the weekend was Patrick O’Donovan in his Proton Iriz RX. The British rallycross champion was no stranger to Mondello Park having competed during the British round at the county Kildare circuit last year. Not only was the entry of twelve supercars wetting the fans appetite but the chance to watch the British and Irish champions go head-to-head was also a bonus.

 Patrick O'Donovan, right, Proton Iriz, leads Derek Tohill, Ford Fiesta, Michael Leonard, Ford Fiesta, , Tommy Graham, Ford Fiesta, and John MCCluskey, Ford Fiesta, during the Supercar final during round 1 of the Partsforcars.ie IRX Championship. Picture: Jack Cregg

The top two did not disappoint and over the two days battled it out tooth and nail. Both winning their semi-finals on Saturday and lining up on the front row together to battle it out for round one of the championship. However they had not accounted for Michael Leonard who had been making steady progress during the day. As the first three entered turn one O’Donovan tried to sweep round the outside of his two rivals but was pushed wide by Tohill and Leonard who got ahead on the inside. Leonard held the field behind exiting turn 3 and settled into the lead. As the race ran on it looked like his rallycross debut was going to end in victory, but as he exited the joker lap section on the final lap O’Donovan got past narrowly but ran wide and Leonard got back past on the run to the final corner. 

Patrick O'Donovan, Proton Iriz, leads Derek Tohill, Ford Fiesta, during the Supercar final during round 1 of the Partsforcars.ie IRX Championship. Picture: Barry Cregg

Tohill could only watch from a distant third place uncharacteristically off the pace of the front two. As the O’Donovan and Leonard exited the final turn O’Donovan took the inside line and won the drag to the line to take round one of the series. An exciting end that warmed up fans on a bitterly cold day.

 Michael Leonard, Ford Fiesta, during the Supercar final during round 1 of the Partsforcars.ie IRX Championship. Picture: Barry Cregg

Sunday brought sunshine and eager to make up for the day before Tohill was out to take the top spot. O’Donovan however was in flying form taking victory in the heats, butTohill was not far behind. Leonard, McCluskey and local man Tommy Graham were also there in the hunt if anything happened the top two. There was a different track layout this time as it was back to the normal rallycross track using the famous ‘hole in the hedge’ corner this time out. As the lights went out to start the supercar final it was O’Donovan who got the better start and lead into turn one but running slightly wide gave Tohill the invitation to take the inside line and make his way past on the run to turn two. He led on the exit and had to drive inch perfect to keep O’Donovan at bay. This he duly did and no matter how hard the British champ tried he could not find a way by the Irish champ. 

Patrick O'Donovan, right, Proton Iriz, leads Derek Tohill, Ford Fiesta, John McCluskey, Ford Fiesta, and Michael Leonard, Ford Fiesta, ,during the Supercar final during round 2 of the Partsforcars.ie IRX Championship. Picture: Barry Cregg

Patrick O'Donovan, right, Proton Iriz, leads Derek Tohill, Ford Fiesta, John McCluskey, Ford Fiesta, and Michael Leonard, Ford Fiesta, during the Supercar final during round 2 of the Partsforcars.ie IRX Championship. Picture: Jack Cregg

It was a hot paced race and the front two pulled clear of the rest of the field easily. Sadly Leonard had to retire with mechanical trouble. A shame for the local man on his debut weekend. McCuskey took third position and drove well for someone only getting back into the sport after a long layoff. Turn one is a fast righthander after the main straight and when the gravel has been cleared back after the opening laps, it allows corner speed to be carried much higher. It was a sight to behold seeing the Ford and Proton drifter through it with their turbos whistling overtime as the power was being put down.

Derek Tohill, Ford Fiesta, leads Patrick O'Donovan, right, Proton Iriz, during the Supercar final during round 2 of the Partsforcars.ie IRX Championship. Picture: Barry Cregg

Derek Tohill, Ford Fiesta, on his way to winning the Supercar final during round 2 of the Partsforcars.ie IRX Championship. Picture: Barry Cregg

Once Tohill got the first couple of laps over he began to pull a slight gap and gave himself enough of a cushion on the final lap to take the joker lap in comfort. He crossed the line 1.5 seconds ahead of O’Donovan to take the win with McCluskey in third. A great opening weekend which saw a brace of new machines and driver come out with more due to come out in the next rounds again at Mondello Park on the weekend of the 3^rd and 4^th of June.