A Tribute To AL Caffrey

Sometimes when you hear the phone ring you just know something not good is up and today I got such a call. I was not expecting the sad news that came with it. Sadly the call I received was from John Whitley to tell me that Al Caffrey a man I have known for over 30 years had passed away. I knew Al had not been in great health the past few years but to hear he had gone was still a shock.

Al Caffrey was a gentleman. His big smile and hearty welcome as he shook your hand when he greeted you, would set you up for the day. I got to know him simply from going to motorsport events in Mondello Park and motorcycle road races all over the country where he marshalled for over 40 years, always ready with his flag in hand. Over time myself and my parents got to know Al quite well and if there was an instance where we didn't see him at an event we would question if all was ok? It was usually the case he was just marshalling at a post future around the track from his usual one. He was such a nice man that you would genuinely be thinking of his wellbeing. 

Once you met him at an event Al was eager to have a chat about how the races would go, who would win or why such a competitor was not racing, but all would be separated with a laugh or a joke about something. Always prepared with his flask of tea and lunch at hand he took his job of marshalling seriously once a race would start, then it was back to the chat when it ended and before the next one began.

A lover of the Isle of man TT races he would travel religiously with his good friend Frank and their tent would be pitched at the campsite at the Hillberry section of the famous course. One year while over at the TT, I met Al and Frank at Hillberry corner as racing had finished due to bad weather. Such was his friendly nature and manner to the passers by he unexpectedly became the races news reporter. As everyone started coming up to him to ask when the races were being rescheduled. He got a great kick out of this and laughed every time it happened!

Al was also a great soccer fan and a great supporter of Shamrock Rovers and went to their games for years with his green and white scarf in hand. Sadly his health began to fail and this prevented him from travelling to matches and motor races and was unable to do his love of marshalling again. He has been missed around the paddocks north and south of the border since this time, by so many that knew him. I often thought when out on the banks at Mondello  while photographing the races how many chats I would have had with him. 

As I said earlier he was a gentleman and the fact that I was lucky enough to have got to know him was a privilege. He was from a generation of people who sadly you seem to meet less today where they would happily make time to talk to an 11 year old with his parents at a race each time he saw them, and included them in the conversation like he did when I first met him all those years ago. 

One of my abiding memories of Al was one of the last times I saw him some years ago at Kells Road Races where he was spectating with his good friend John Whitley and seeing him cheer on Ryan Farquhar in a thrilling superbike race he was in with Guy Martin. With the arm out waving as they went by you could see the joy the race was bringing him. He saw many a good race over the years and I'm sure he will be looking down on many more to come.

To his sons Joe and Sean and daughter Mona and all his family I send my sincere condolences. Your dad was one of a kind!

Lee Newsome Wins Round 8 of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

Lee Newsome celebrates with his trophy after winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg

Ashford man Lee Newsome took an impressive win at round eight of the Selco.ie Formula Vee championship at Mondello Park. Just like the July meeting last year driver had to contend with sweltering weather conditions. While it was nice for the large crowd at the county Kildare circuit, the drivers had to deal with a slick track. Due to the heat, the rubber being laid down really was only sitting on top of the tarmac and not going deep into the surface and thus creating greasing track conditions.

A fantastic entry of 25 cars took to the track for qualifying, which as with all Formula Vee races was going to be important, but on the tight National circuit used this weekend made it even more so. It was series leader and reigning champion Anthony Cross who took pole position from Newsome by a mir 0.075 of a second! In fact, the top nine drivers were covered by the same second showing how competitive the class has become this year.

Lee Newsome, Sheane, leads Jordan Kelly, Sheane, on his way to winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg

As the lights went out it was Newsome who got the best start and led the field into turn one. Championship leader Anthony Cross got swallowed up by the pack of the line but held on to just stay in second behind Newsome. Donegal man and one of the main contenders in this year’s championship, Jordan Kelly, slotted into third place by holding the outside line around turn one to move ahead of his brother Owen.

The other Newsome this time Sean the baby of the family also showed good pace starting from fifth on the grid and remained ahead of another Wicklow man Jack Byrne from Annacurragh who held sixth on the opening lap but was setting quicker times than those ahead and began to move up as the laps went by.

Anthony Cross, Sheane, took pole position but dropped points after colliding with Jordan Kelly, Sheane. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg. 

The pace was hot and as ever and the tight confines of Mondello Park meant every overtake or even an attempt of one must be executed with precision. If it was then a driver could easily loose more than one or two places if not successful. Newsome was happy in the lead absorbing the pressure put on him by Cross and co behind. As he should as he won race one here at the last round and his car looked to be handling well. Sean Newsome made a move on Kelly allowing Byrne to follow through.

Jack Byrne, Sheane, drove superbly from 6th on the grid to finish second by only 0.078 of a second. Mondello Park, Donore, Co.Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

It was now three Wicklow drivers in the top 5! Cross tried all he knew to get by Newsome, inside lines, outside lines, late braking, anything to even force the leader into a mistake and all the while trying to defend from Kelly who never likes to hang around too long before making his own move on the person in front. He duly did at turn 3 making a nice move down the inside of Cross to move into second. This move cost Cross time and Sean Newsome made ground and attacked at turns 4 and 5 before making an excellent switch back from the outside line to the inside line at the final corner to move ahead of Cross take third place. This was not in the plan for the series leader who is more accustomed to being the one doing the overtaking. He made a better exit and gained the momentum down the straight to repass Newsome and hold his third place for now. This played into the hands of Byrne who jumped ahead of Newsome to moved into fourth place.

Owen Kelly, Sheane, had a better day over his brother by winning the VW Spares 'B' race as Jordan Kelly, Sheane, dropped points after colliding with Trevor Delaney. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg. 

Cross having to defend from Byrne got another great exit from the final corner a lap later which allowed him to get alongside Kelly and out braked him on the outside and rounding turn one in a brilliant move to go back into second place. This allowed Byrne to follow through at turn two. By turn four Owen Kelly got by his brother to move into fourth. In one lap Kelly moved from second to fourth! It was all happening now, but it let Newsome the leader open a gap at the front. As Byrne and Cross went into the double apex right hander out “the county” as they say in Mondello. Byrne got up the inside of Cross at the second part and moved into second place.

As the second and third men battled it out over the next couple of laps, fourth place Kelly closed in on them and as Cross cut back from the outside line at turn one Kelly clipped his back wheel spinning Cross round and into the grass. Disaster for Cross who dropped right back to eight place as he re-joined the track. This gave Byrne a lot of breathing room to concentrate on catching leader Lee Newsome. Kelly after his collision dropped back to Sean Newsome who tried everything to get by. It was shaping up to be a Wicklow white wash if he could get into third.

Lee Newsome celebrates after winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg

Time was running out however and with only a couple of laps to go it looked as if it was going to be too much for Byrne to close in and get by. There were back markers ahead though who could slow the leader and give him a chance. As Byrne whittled down the lead of Newsome to close right on his gearbox they caught the back markers on the final lap. With the chequered flag being prepared there was only three corners left in this thriller. Newsome stuck to the defensive line, making Byrne try the long way round each corner. Now by the slower men the final corner remained. Byrne went high and wide to get a better exit and as he drew alongside Newsome heading for the flag he ran out of road as Newsome held on to take the chequered flag to win by 0.078 of a second. A brilliantly entertaining race and one where everyone watching wanted to go on for another couple of laps. Kelly came home in third to complete the podium.

Wicklow men Lee Newsome, left, and Jack Byrne celebrate with his trophies after the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg

Speaking with the winner after the race he could not hide his delight in taking the win. “ I got a good start and got the jump on Anthony, and got into the lead. I had my mirrors full for a while and weathered the storm and they battled with each other which played into my hands for a while. Then Jack got into second and was full in my mirrors and I had to hold him off there on the last lap through backmarkers too, but I did, and I’m delighted to get the win. Hopefully we will get good racing like that in Kirkistown next time out, I Can’t wait”

In a hard-fought race Byrne was also delighted with his driver up through the field and to get into second. “ I had to work hard to get up through the field and then to catch Lee with backmarkers and yellow flags everywhere it was hard but great fun too. I’m delighted to get second though as it was also getting a bit toasty out there with the heat today.”

Aaron Murray, Sheane, winner of the LOH Motorsport championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg. 

In the VW spares 'B' championship Owen Kelly had a comfortable win in the end over Sean Newsome but at one stage the two were a cigarette papers width apart. In the LOH Motorsport championship Aaron Murray got the better of Kieran Hannon and Sylvie Bartlett after a long battle with Jonathan Hollywood. 

The drivers head north of the border and to Kirkistown Racing Circuit in county Down for round 9 of the Championship on the 27^th of August.

Results:

Selco.ie Formula Vee National Championship

1^st Lee Newsome

2^nd Jack Byrne

3^rd Owen Kelly

VW Spares ‘B’ Championship

1^st Owen Kelly

2^nd Sean Newsome

3^rd Donal Downey

LOH Motorsport Rookie Championship

1^st Aaron Murray

2^nd Kieran Hannon

3^rd Sylvie Bartlett

Kearney's Double At Bishopscourt - Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane Championship

Richard Kearney, Sheane, on his way to winning the two Formula Sheane races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

For round three of the Airportcar.ie Formula Sheane championship drivers made their way to Bishopscourt Racing Circuit north of the border in county Down. The welcomed change of venue is only used once a year and this year is the first time the class has be back since before the Covid outbreak. The 1.830 mile track is fast and flowing with some quick chicanes and tricky hairpins. 

Weather was good for  qualifying where Richard Kearney wanted to make amends for his DNF in round two last time out at Mondello. With Philip Sheane not taking part this weekend it would be hard to see if Kearney would be pushed hard at one of his favourite tracks. Qualifying times would prove that the others had much time to find. Kearney claimed pole position by a massive 3.209 seconds! Richie Adams was the closest to him which shows he is carrying his good form on from Mondello Park last month. It has to be said the problems of sourcing tyres due to manufacturing problems has left drivers with old rubber which they also have to make last two races. So qualifying times did not tell the full story. 

Richard Kearney, Sheane, leads Mark Keenan, Sheane, on his way to winning the two Formula Sheane races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

As the lights went out Kearney got the best start and lead the field as they made the long run down to the first left hand bend Brock's. Richie Adams got so much wheelspin off the line he dropped to last by the first turn. Mark Keenan got a flyer too and and made up several places off the line and by the end of lap one he was up to second and chasing down Kearney. Chris Dunne held third ahead of Garrett McKenna, and Mike Dermody. Poor Tom Foley in his first race this year ended with mechanical failure on the warm-up lap. Kearney who had a DNF in the previous round at Mondello was out to make amends this time and opened up a sizable lead by the end of lap two. Keenan hung on though and left Dunne behind in third. His speed has carried on from the opening round but try as he might just could close the gap to Kearney. 

Mark Keenan, Sheane, during the two Formula Sheane races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg

By mid race distance the tyre issue all drivers were having came into play with times dropping off and some clearly lacking grip. That said Kearney was driving superb not missing an apex an clearly had his car setup well. Adams had an eventful race, making his way back up to fourth but dropped back to sixth as his car refused to play ball with him and handling problems cost him lots of time. McKenna also had a busy race having a steady run in fourth but at the half way mark he was back to seventh but got himself back up to fourth again by the flag. Kearney reeled off the final laps to take a comfortable win. Keenan continued his good form this season by taking second with Chris Dunne taking third. 

Chris Dunne, Sheane, leads Richie Adams, Sheane, and Garrett McKenna, Sheane, during the two Formula Sheane races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

For race two again Kearney made the best start like in race one and headed the field into turn one. Garrett McKenna got a great start and moved into second ahead of Keenan, not what the Meath publican wanted as he knew Kearney would get away. McKenna's joy was short lived as he spun at the chicane letting not only Kennan through but also the whole field although he did get back up to sixth by the end of the race. Keenan set about closing down Kearney who again was in his groove and setting fastest times each lap. Tom Foley made repairs to his car and had a great run in fourth place keep more experienced drivers like Richie Adams and Garrett McKenna behind him.

Chris Dunne, Sheane, leads Garrett McKenna, Sheane, during the two Formula Sheane races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

 Bishopscourt has been a happy hunting ground for the Leighlindbridge man, who was on course to make it four wins in a row at the county Down track. He got his car setup right and it showed easily keeping his corner speed up through faster sections of the track over his rivals. Chris Dunne had a lonely race in third in his freshly painted car for this round. The race petered out from mid distance with the gaps staying the same. Kearney again reeled off the laps and took an easy win to make it a clean sweep with Pole position, two wins and two fastest laps.

Richard Kearney, Sheane, on his way to winning the two Formula Sheane races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Mark Keenan came home in second to take home a solid points haul. Chris Dunne did the same with his second podium of the weekend. Speaking with the victor after the race he was in expected buoyant form,

 " I'm really happy with winning the two races, the car was on point all weekend and I love the circuit. It has been good to me and that's four in a row now, I'm Over the moon to be honest."

Results:

Race 1

1st Richard Kearney

2nd Mark Keenan

3rd Chris Dunne

Race 2

1st Richard Kearney

2nd Mark Keenan

3rd Chris Dunne

Richard Kearney Wins Round 10 - Formula Sheane

Richard Kearney, leads Philp Sheane during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

As expected the conditions for round ten of the Formula Sheane championship were perfect the damps patches were now gone and everyone looked forward to another battle between the top three. This time Philip Sheane got the start he wanted and held off Richard Kearney at turn one and again at turn two as Derek Roddy slotted into third. 

Philip Sheane, leads Richard Kearney, during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

With the sun getting low it made it slightly awkward for the drivers as they made their way out to the county. All three up front knew they could'nt afford to let each other get away. Richie Adams again made a good start as he made his way up to fourth. On the way back towards the paddock Sheane kept the tighter line already defending hard from Kearney. 

Derek Roddy, in action after dropping time with a trip to the gravel trap during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

By lap three it was still the same as Sheane soaked up the pressure well which cannot be said this time for Roddy. On the entrance to turn 4 he locked up his rear brakes and spun into the gravel. Luckily for him he didn't get stuck in it and managed to drive his way out of it but all hopes for the win were gone. This let the duo of Sheane and Kearney away to fight it out themselves as they had by now pull well clear of the field.

Richard Kearney, leads Philp Sheane during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

 Tom Foley began to make progress up through the field with claiming fifth and then fourth. Up front Kearney began to pile on the pressure and it worked by passing Sheane for the lead. It had been four months since he had been in this position and this time he wasn't going to let it slip. Sheane tried hard to get back past and looked quicker on the older part of the circuit but the clever Carlow man had all the lines covered. 

Richie Adams, leads Chris Dunne during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Unfortunately Garrett McKenna who had been battling with Tom Foley spun at turn four just as Roddy had done earlier but sadly for him he beached his car and his race was run. With his car in an unsafe place and despite the marshals best efforts the safety car had to be deployed. This allowed Roddy to catch back up to the leaders, but time had run out for himself or Sheane to get past Kearney as it was just a simple run to the line.

Chris Dunne, leads Tom Foley during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Tom Foley, leads Garrett McKenna during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Still all in all it was good to see Kearney take a win as he was hampered by bad luck all season. With the last round taking place on the 25th of September it does not leave much time to get the cars ready for the final and most important round of the season as it has turn out to be. With nine points between Sheane and Roddy in the favour of Sheane, it still is all to play for as one DNF could swing it either way. In the scholarship class Tom Foley came home with the win adding to his win earlier in the year in Kirkistown. 

Results

1st Richard Kearney

2nd Philip Sheane

3rd Derek Roddy

Scholarship

1st Tom Foley

2nd Chris Dunne

3rd Richie Adams

Philip Sheane Wins on debut race weekend in Formula Sheane

Philip Sheane holds up his trophy after winning round two of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

After the drama of the opening round of the Formula Sheane Championship onlookers wondered would they get more of the same in round two. Well they certainly did and not only that a debut win for newcomer to the class Philip Sheane. Philip who comes from Balinroe just outside Wicklow Town, graduated from the Formula Vee Championship  last season where he showed impressive pace and a race victory in his first year in single seater racing. 

Richard Kearney in action during qualifying on his way to pole position. Photo: Barry Cregg. 

His cousin David started both the Formula Vee and Formula Sheane series in the 1970's and the latter at the start of the new millennium. His recent illness has kept him away from the paddock in recent times but thankfully he is on the mend and is keen to get back to the tracks to see how his younger cousin is doing. 

Philip Sheane leads, Paul McLoughlin and Richard Kearney during round two of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Current champion Richard Kearney lined up on pole position with Philip alongside in second. Showing strong pace in round one only for his rear shock problem it would be foolish to rule his out of contention for a result in round two. As the lights went out it was Sheane who got into the lead the field out of turn one. Kearney dropped to third place behind Paul McLoughlin after making a poor start. Now all eyes were on Sheane to see if he could handle the pressure from his more experienced competitors. 

Philip Sheane leads Paul McLoughlin on his way to winning round two of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

It wasn't for the faint hearted in the opening laps as Sheane defended for his life in the tight infield section of the Mondello Park circuit. It was interesting to see where each of the front three gained and lost time to each other. Sheane was quickest between the final corner and turn three but then lost it again as McLoughlin gained time from there to exit of the Esses.

Paul McLoughlin leads Richard Kearney and Mark Keenan during round two of the Formula Sheane championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Kearney had no option to bide his time as there was just no way through. However after several laps Sheane got into a rhythm and began to pull away from the second and third placed men as they began to battle between themselves. By lap eleven Kearney had got by McLoughlin and began to chase after Sheane setting fastest time on lap sixteen with a 58.927 second lap.

Philip Sheane on his way to his first victory in Formula Sheane during round two. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Garrett McKenna on his way to taking the Scholarship Class at round two. Photo: Barry Cregg.

It was to no avail as the laps ran out for him to apply any real pressure. If he had it may not have had any effect as Sheane drove superbly and took his maiden win in the series and proved that he is already a title contender for this year.

Results:

National Championship

1st Philip Sheane

2nd Richard Kearney

3rd Paul McLoughlin

Scholarship Class

1st Gareth McKenna

2nd Richie Adams

3rd Chris Dunne

Polley Pockets First Win Of 2021 - Round 2 Of The Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

Dan Polley hold up his trophy after winning round two of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

As the drivers lined up on the grid for the second round of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship, they had already now got the nerves of the opening race of the year behind them and set out to put right any wrongs occurred in round one. Mark Reade put his Leastone on pole with Dan Polley in his Sheane joining him on the front row. The ever improving Tim Murray out qualified current champion Anthony Cross To start third with Cross fourth. There was no concern about the weather although slightly cloudy it was warm and dry. 

Mark Reade put his Leastone on Pole for round two of the Selco.ie Formual Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg. 

Polley had to make his front row position count and use it to get into the lead if he had any hopes to take a win. A win he needed as a DNF in round one left him already behind in points to his rivals. First was getting to turn one first, which he did with a great start off the line jumping ahead of Reade well before turn one. Reade immediately on the defence after his start had to keep Anthony Cross who got ahead of Tim Murray with Jack Byrne behind. 

Dan Polley, Sheane, leads Mark Reade, Leastone, and Anthony Cross, Sheane, into turn one during round two of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg. 

Now with a clear road ahead of him Polley put the head down and began to put in the times his fastest of the race coming on lap two with a 1.02.441. This gave him a gap to Reade and Cross as they battle each other. By lap six the gaps between the top four began to open up. That said Byrne had began to make inroads to Cross ahead of him and was right on his tail by lap 8. Within a couple of laps it was now a twelve wheeler for second place with Tim Murray closing in also in fifth place. All this played into the hands of race leader Polley who just had to keep his concentration and reel off the laps. 

Mark Reade, Leastone, defends from  Anthony Cross, Sheane, going into turn one during round two of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg. 

Then the move of the race came from Jack Byrne as he made a move around the outside of both Cross and Reade at the final corner to leap from fourth to second. The chance to catch Polley was now gone for Byrne who had to now keep Cross, Reade, Murray and now Jordan Kelly behind as second place was anyone of the five car group. 

Jack Byrne, Sheane, defends from  Anthony Cross, Sheane, going into turn one during round two of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg. 

Tim Murray Sheane, defends from  Jack Byrne, Sheane, going into turn one during round two of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg. 

By now the back markers were being caught and it came into play as Cross went down the inside of Byrne into the final corner. Byrne got hit by one of the tail enders which damaged his steering dropping him to 8th place. This allowed Reade into second as Cross ran wide but Cross had better straight line speed and retook him down the main straight two laps later. Reade now had to try and keep Kelly at bay who lost his nosecone in his efforts in trying to get by Reade, but it was to no avail as he had to settle for third. Still a great result for his 'B' Championship as he took home another maximum score as in round one.

Dan Polley,Sheane, on his way to winning round two of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

While the battles went on behind Polley kept his cool to have a commanding drive and take his first win of the year and put himself back in the points for the championship.

Owen Kelly,Sheane, leads brother Jordan, Sheane, on his way to taking first place in the Motorsport.ie Rookie Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg

Results:

Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

1st Dan Polley

2nd Anthony Cross

3rd Mark Reade

VW Spares 'B' Championship

1st Mark Reade

2nd Jordan Kelly

3rd Tim Murray

Motorsport.ie Rookie Championship

1st Owen Kelly

2nd Michael O'Callaghan

3rd Mark Sheppard 

    

Paul O'Loughlin win opening round of the Formula Sheane Championship 2021

Paul O'Loughlin on his way to taking an unexpected Formula Sheane championship round one win at Mondello Park. Photo: Barry Cregg,

Mondello Park in county Kildare was the host for the opening round of the new Formula Sheane championship season. Richard Kearney who won the title last year has to be favourite again for this year but the Carlow man has stiff opposition in the form of Paul O'Loughlin and Formula Vee graduate Philip Sheane. It is the 20th year of Formula Sheane and like all classes has suffered in numbers in recent years but a solid grid of ten cars turned out for the opening round and if qualifying was anything to go by it is going to be close as the top four were covered by just over a second. 

Richard Kearney got pole position but lost the lead with a lap to go when his rose joint failed. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Richard Kearney started where he left off last year by taking first blood by claiming pole position but by only 0.167 of a second. A front row position is important at Mondello as the circuit is hard to overtake on. Sadly for Derek Roddy after a good performance in qualifying engine problems prevented the Louth man for taking his spot of the grid. It would not get better for the Climote backed man for round two as his clutch gave way in pitlane ahead of race two. Lets hope that is his bad luck done with for the year and by the next round he will be back out. 

Philip Sheane leads Paul O'Loughlin during the opening round of the Formula Sheane championship and looked set to get a podium until mechanical problems put him out. Photo: Barry Cregg.

As the light went out it was Kearney who lead into turn one with Sheane behind and McLoughlin in third and Gerrett McKenna in fourth. Kearney got the head down and began to open up a gap over the second and third placed men. All drivers want to get a good finish in the opening round of a season to settle themselves and all was going to plan for Kearney in the lead. Behind however the great debut for Sheane was already hitting trouble three laps into the race when his left rear shock broke. Despite this he still managed to keep Paul O'Loughlin at bay with some hairy oversteering moments especially out of turn two. This all played to the advantage of Kearney who extended his lead further. 

Richard Kearney in action during the opening round of the Formula Sheane championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Then as Sheane entered turn two he took a bit more inside curb which put him wide on the exit as the rear shock completely gave way ending his great drive in his debut race. O'Loughlin did well not to run into the back of Sheane when his shock gave way. Even though he got by it was too late to catch Kearney although he did try and put in the fastest lap of the race in doing so. All looked like that was it in terms of results as the gaps between first second and third were to big to change. 

Paul O'Loughlin on his way to victory in the opening Formula Sheane round of 2021. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Unexpectedly though while braking for turn one the bottom rose joint on Kearney's gave way with a lap to go! Now all he could do was try and bring it home and save as much points as he could, if he could. Lady luck did shine on him as although O'Loughlin and Mark Keenan got by he had enough of a gap over Richie Adams to hold on to third place. 

So the first round went in dramatic fashion to Paul O'Loughlin but a win is a win and you take them whatever way you can as O'Loughlin agreed after the race." Luck is sometimes with you sometimes its not. Philip had problems with his rear shock at the start and I was afraid of getting caught up in an accident if something went wrong, but I'm happy to get the win for my friend Benny Taglenti who passed away recently". 

Richie Adams on his way to victory in the Scholarship class during th eopening round of the Formula Sheane championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Third place man Kearney was not so happy " I could'nt believe it I had the race in the bag and wasn't pushing just wanted to bring the car home and get the win and maximum points. I'm just sick but at the same time I still got third so it wasn't a total disaster."  

Mark Keenan on his way to second place in the opening round of the Formula Vee championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Philip Sheane was left to ponder what could have been. " I new something was wrong at the rear from lap three on and then I tried to manage it but it finally broke exiting turn two." 

Results:

National Championship

1st Paul McLoughlin

2nd Mark Keenan

3rd Richard Kearney

Scholarship Class

1st Richie Adams

2nd Gareth McKenna

3rd Chris Dunne

Anthony Cross wins opening Round of the 2021 Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

Anthony Cross hold up his winning trophy after victory in the first round of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg

When the paddock packed up for the final time after the Leinster Trophy race meeting in Mondello Park last October, little did anyone think that a wheel wouldn't be turned in anger for another eight months. Even though the season has actually started six weeks earlier than last year, the long winter and even longer lockdowns put in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic, tried all competitors patience to the very limit this time round. 

Thankfully the country as a whole is in a better position this year with vaccines been rolled out each day, which was only a mere hope this time twelve months ago. Every cloud has a silver lining though and the Formula Vee paddock had been very busy over the long lay off. Renewed sponsorships, new faces, new liveries and bigger grids have come to the fore once again thanks to the hard work of the Formula Vee committee. Just to add to the party the summer weather finally arrived for the opening round which were held at Mondello Park in Co. Kildare. 

Dan Polley, Sheane, on his way to pole position in qualifying for the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg

 As usual for the tight confined nature of Mondello meant qualifying was crucial if a chance at victory was to had. Reigning champion Anthony Cross was again the favorite going into the new season but he knew he had a big target on his back. 

"It's not going to be easy for sure this year as there is quite a few guys capable of winning but I'll be trying my best to be home first again although we are lucky to be here at all after an off in practice after a trailing arm broke on the main straight which caused the brakes to fail sending me into the gravel at turn one!"

Twentysix cars lined up in pitlane for qualifying, a testament to the class promotion in getting such high numbers out for round one of the championship, eight of which never raced at all before. As always in was a close run affair with the first eight cars cover by less than a second. It was Dan Polley who got pole position by 0.010 of a second ahead of Mark Reade with Tim Murray and Anthony Cross third and fourth. Drama began even before car made it to the grid as Eamon Thornton's car caught fire in paddock assembly but thankfully nobody was hurt and the car will live to see another day.

As the lights went out it was Mark Reade who got the best start holding off Dan Polley and taking the lead into turn one. Thankfully all came through unscathed and as the field went out in the country for the first time it was Mark Reade, Dan Polley, Tim Murray, Anthony Cross and Jack Byrne all nose to tail. Murray got out of shape exiting the final turn which nearly ended with Byrne and Cross coming together but luckily both kept their car in a straight line.

Mark Reade, Leastone, leads Dan Polley, Sheane, Anthony Cross, Sheane, and Jack Byrne, Sheane, during the first round of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg

The safety car was brought out on lap three to clear cars from the final turn which bunched the whole field together again. Reade was clever however on the restart and got a good run up to the final corner as the safety car peeled off and gave himself the chance to hold his lead. He absorbed the pressure put on by Polley, Cross and Byrne and held firm. In his efforts to get by Reade, Polley let Cross go round his outside at turn one which then left himself on the outside for turn two and thus both Cross and Byrne got through. 

Polley briefly got back past Byrne at turn two on the following lap but slipped back to Tim Murray and going into turn three both collided and Polley ended up in the gravel and out of the race. A disaster for the pole sitter. Murray got going again but had to pull off shortly afterwards with mechanical trouble. At the end of this eventful lap Cross made his move down Reade's inside at the final corner to take the lead. Byrne now also closed up in third aiming for second at turn one and pulled off a great move around the outside to move up to second place. 

Mark Reade, Leastone, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, Jack Byrne, Sheane, and Tim Murray Sheane, during the first round of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg

Gavin Buckley was also now up to fourth and right in the mix to get a podium spot. Byrne tried as hard as ever to get by Cross renewing their battle from last year and providing excellent racing for the onlookers. To add to this already exciting race Donal Downey had a lockup into the Esses and took to the gravel trap bringing out the yellow flags. This then meant the leaders could not pass in that area or anywhere until the next green flag. While coming upon a back marker on the exit of the Esses, Cross hesitated slightly with the back marker as there no flag out where a green one should been, causing Byrne to hit him and Reade to run wide and allow Buckley up to third. Try as he might on the final lap Reade ran out of time to get his podium spot back. Cross yet again took the chequered flag with Byrne right behind in second. 

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, Mark Reade, Leastone, and Gavin Buckley, Sheane, during the first round of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg

The current champion took another win but it was far from straight forward which he agreed with afterwards 

" I'm happy with that but I was lucky also as after Jack hit me, I felt the engine move going down the straight and it was only when I got into Parc Ferme I saw the gearbox casing had broke and also an engine mount." 

Owen Kelly, Sheane, took first place in the Motorsport.ie rookie Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

It was not all bad news for Reade though as he claim maximum points in the VW Spares 'B' Championship. Another great drive came from Owen Kelly, the Donegal man finishing fifth overall and taking maximum  points in the Motorsport.ie Rookie championship. 

Results:

Selco.ie National Championship

1st Anthony Cross

2nd Jack Byrne

3rd Gavin Buckley

VW Spares 'B' Championship

1st Mark Reade

2nd Jordan Kelly

3rd Rob Fleming

Motorsport.ie 'Rookie' Championship

1st Owen Kelly

2nd Michael O'Callaghan

3rd Mark Sheppard