Kearney Kicks Off New Season In Style - Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane Championship

Richard Kearney on his way to winning the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park.

The long winter break was finally over for the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane drivers as they headed to Mondello Park for the first two rounds of the 2026 season. The sun was out along with new colour schemes and also a new female driver to Formula Sheane in many years. Mondello Park have now taken over the series led by Leo Nulty and a big promotional push is planned with lots of new interest already in the class by several newcomers. It would be great to see it grow back to a large field once again and keep the late David Sheane's memory and philosophy alive by having an affordable racing class for drivers. 

While Carlow man Kearney was the hot favourite for the win, it was anyone's for the other two places on the podiums. Qualifying backed the bookies odds as Kearney took pole position by a massive 1.9 seconds from Garrett McKenna and Sean Kiernan. With showers floating around and causing some minor headaches for drivers and teams in the morning thankfully they stayed away come race time.

Kevin Igoe leads Tom Foley during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park

 As the light went out for race one Kearney took the lead from the off and lead the field into turn one. His fellow Carlow man Mike Dermody had to start from the back of the grid after problems in qualifying, but his blood was up and drove superbly in the opening laps to cut through the field all the way to second place. He settled into a race long battle with Sean Kiernan, Garret McKenna and Tom Foley. The rookie to the class Roisin Sweeney was showing no signs of first day nerves and her previous Global Light racing experience was paying off as she was in touch with the group battle for second. Giving that she had no testing prior to the weekend and her first taste of formula racing was in qualifying, it was a brilliant display. 

Garrett McKenna leads Sean Kiernan during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park.

Sean Kiernan leads Mike Dermody during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park.

By mid race she had got up to fourth setting very fast times just a half a second off leader Kearney but a spin at the final corner dropped her right back but she had made her point. Kearney did what he does best and puts in quick lap after quick lap and built his lead and was never in trouble. Behind him though McKenna and Foley had gapped Kiernan enough to duke it out in the final laps for the last two podium spots. Dermody who had got up to second couldn't hold on to his early momentum and dropped back to fifth. McKenna put in a quick couple of laps at the end to secure second from Foley. It was Kearney's race however and to show how hard he drove he set a new lap record with a 56.636 second lap.

Roisin Sweeney leads Kevin Igoe during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park.

Tom Foley leads Kevin Igoe during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park

Mike Dermody leads Sean Kiernan during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park

For race two it was again Kearney who lead into turn one from McKenna who locked up his inside wheel and was close to colliding with Kearney but he stopped just in time and also hold on to his place. Sean Kiernan made a better start and got up to third hounding McKenna in the early laps but could not find a way by. Mike Dermody again made a good start and was up to fifth early on and behind him Roisin Sweeney and Kevin Igoe were having a great battle. Foley this time could not match the pace of those in front but still was close enough to pick up the pieces if anything were to go wrong.

Richard Kearney on his way to winning the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park

Try as he might Kiernan could not get past McKenna and now Dermody was on his tail as well as Sweeney and on top of that his engine began to loose power. By half distance once again barring mechanical trouble Kearney had it in the bag. Though not setting lap records this time he once again showed why he is the reigning champion. It was hotting up behind him though now the race was drawing to a close, as Dermody had moved into third and Sweeney into fourth. Sweeney was again putting in the times faster than those ahead but just couldn't find a way past McKenna and Dermody. McKenna was up to the challenge despite several lock ups into turn one and held firm. Both second and third placed men stayed at the same pace ensuring neither would pull away or close in anymore. As Kearney crossed the line eight seconds clear he lay down the marker for those to match next time out. McKenna came home in second another good result with Dermody third, Sweeney fourth and Foley fifth.

  

The next round will bring a different challenge to the drivers at the fast Bishopscourt Racing Circuit in county Down.

Reynolds and McGrath Share The Spoils At Season Opener - 2026 Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship

Dave Reynolds leads Kevin McGrath and Roger Welaratne during the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker race at Mondello Park. 

Mondello Park hosted the opening rounds of the 2026 Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship at the weekend. Last season came right down to the wire with Kevin McGrath taking the title at a dramatic  last race decider. This season's opening round was as equally exciting with McGrath once again in the thick of it. His rival this time was Baltinglass  man Dave Reynolds. Sadly the grid has lost some of the regular drivers due to retirement but nonetheless the series will grow again in the coming rounds again with new drivers due to make their debuts next time out. 

The weather was fine but there were slight showers around which damped the track in places but that only added a challenge for the drivers as the took to qualifying. It was Reynolds who took first blood and an extra point for taking pole position. Qualifying was tight with the first three covered by less than a second. Reynolds lined up on pole with McGrath beside him. Richie Byrne and Roger Welaratne lined up on row two. 

As the lights went out it was the men from row two who got the better starts as Byrne and Welaratne lead the field into turn one. McGrath was third and Reynolds fourth and both were quickly trying to find a way by the men ahead to gap the other. After a hectic opening lap Reynolds had made his way to the front and his car sounded better than last year and it was visably quicker in a straight line too. He had Byrne between him and McGrath for the next couple of laps, giving him a chance to build up a lead. Byrne was in top form however and was not letting McGrath past without a fight. McGrath didn't want to drop time though and once past he began to chase down Reynolds. 

Richie Byrne leads Des Meehan during the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker race at Mondello Park.

Over the next laps the leader had been caught and the front two had a comfortable gap to the battle for third between Welaratne and Byrne. It was a game of cat and mouse as both had better pace than the other in different sectors of the track. As the race drew nearer to the end Reynolds upped his pace and had enough of a gap to take the win by 0.3 of a second. Welaratne cam home in third ahead of Des Meehan who was back out after his big off at the final round last year. After purchasing the ex Jonathan Taylor car which finished runner up in the championship last year. He showed no loss of talent finishing in fourth and promised to be " higher up next time out once he has the car setup the way he likes it and more testing done."

For race two the grid was reversed and again Byrne and Welaratne lead the field into turn one. This time though Reynolds was a bit too eager and a while trying to pass McGrath in turn two he spun and dropped right down to last. Surely McGrath who now had got into the lead would run away with this one. Byrne and Welaratne once again battled  it out with Meehan in the mix too, for the first half of the race. Reynolds now with his car pointing in the right direction set about catching whoever he could. His pace was a lot faster and he began to close in on the field quickly. Luckily for him time was on his side. He picked them off one by one and without getting held up he could possibly catch the leader. He set the fastest lap of the race with a 1.01.1 lap which was six tenths quicker than McGrath in the lead. 

Dave Reynolds leads Kevin McGrath during the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker race at Mondello Park.

Roger Welaratne during the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker race at Mondello Park.

As the laps began to run out he was just on his tail. Welaratne was now comfortable in third ahead of Byrne but the first two positions still were not set in stone. With a lap to go Reynolds made his move into turn one and took the lead in a brilliant drive but the man from Naas was not going to lie down. Last year proved he could fight to the end and by turn three he made his move down the inside of Reynolds to retake the lead. Once he used the defending line on the final corners the win was his. He did and it was and it was fitting both men came away with a win. 

Des Meehan during the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker race at Mondello Park.

Aaron Evans during the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker race at Mondello Park.

Speaking afterwards McGrath was both happy and relived to have won. " Me and Dave a great battle all weekend with Dave getting an extra point for pole and fastest lap to my one fastest lap so it will be all to play for as we go up north next time out. We had two great race and that last one he got me into turn one but I made a move into turn three and thankfully was able to hold it to the line to take the win. Hopefully it will be like that all season long."

Reynolds was as happy to but annoyed with himself after coming all the way back to take the lead and loose it again" The car was flying, we did a lot of work over the winter, a lot of research, time in the gym so I'm delighted how it went today. We are now down to the 1.01's which we weren't at last year so that is a big step forward. Looking forward to Bishopscourt now and see if we can get a win there too and push the class on social media and build it up and get more cars out.

Kevin McGrath, centre, with his son Jack aged 2, and Dave Reynolds, left, and Roger Welaratne after Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker race at Mondello Park.

Dave Reynolds, centre, with Kevin McGrath, left, and Roger Welaratne after Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker race at Mondello Park.

TyreDoctor.ie Formula Vee 'B' Champion 2025 - Conor Melia

13-September-2025: Conor Melia, the 2025 TyreDoctor.ie 'B'  Formula Vee Champion.
Picture Barry Cregg.

What a difference a year makes. This time last year the final race meeting at Kirkistown Racing Circuit for Lucan man Conor Melia was used to put to rest any demons he had after quiet a big crash he had there at the midpoint of the season. This year after already winning the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' Championship at the previous round at Mondello Park, he took his maiden Selco.ie Formula Vee national race win. 

It was in fact a long time coming as he was close to winning several times this year but just came up short. If he had and the crucial DNF in round three had not happened he may have claimed the overall championship as his consistency kept him in with a shout right up to the penultimate round. To be fair to the Dubliner he is only finishing his second season of racing this year. Another year with the SM Racing team also proved important as both parties kept the momentum going from last year and worked well together and as the season progressed the results got better and better. 

06-April-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. ICCR Round 1, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

06-April-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. ICCR Round 1, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

26-April-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane,, leads Eamonn Thornton, Leastone, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Picture: Barry Cregg

It was also a year where regular 'B' championship runners made a step forward in overall pace and who would have more race experience which made winning the championship all the better. Coming from a sim racing background rather than the traditional kart racing one so many have done before, his driving became more smoother and less erratic than last year. This comes from time in the car and one that is prepped very well by the father and son Christy and Stephen Morrin. 

Sadly the traitional final race of the year the Emmerson Fittipaldi Trophy, was cancelled due to heavy rain. The chance to add his name this year was takin away from him by mother nature, but if this year is anything to go by only a fool would rule him out of the running next year.

18-May-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Picture: Jack Cregg,

18-May-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Picture: Barry Cregg,

Speaking after the race he described the final championship race and his overall year. 

" I'm just buzzing, I really am, and for the lads {SM Racing} too. We have had the pace all year it was just hard to get past Gavin for a reasonable newcomer like myself. It's been said all year and its true that my downfall was not winning enough races but today we have shown we can. Bishopscourt was were it changed as the lads found a problem with the car that was a leftover from the crash last year. Once that was fixed the pace got much better and we got two second places there. There have been some great races all year with Gavin Buckley, Colm Blackburn and Jack Byrne. Sadly the weather took the Emmerson Fittipaldi  race away from us today but I will be back next year with the elbows out a bit more and try and get a few more wins."

27-September-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, leads Kieran Hannan, Leastone, and Andy Keogh, Sheane, on his way to winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Picture: Jack Cregg.

27-September-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, celebrates after winning the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Picture Barry Cregg.

13-September-2025: Conor Melia, the 2025 TyreDoctor,ie 'B'  Formula Vee Champion with the SM Racing crew Michelle, Stephen and Christy Morrin, along with Girlfriend Dorie.
Picture Barry Cregg.

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

Cool Hand Cross Bags Another Win - Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship Round 7

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Gavin Buckley, Sheane, on his way to winning the Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Bohernabreena's Anthony Cross took yet another win in the latest round of the Selco.ie Formula Vee championship at Mondello Park on Saturday. It was also an important victory as the championship leader retire from round six as he was hit from behind by Donal Downey forcing his retirement from the race. With zero points taken from that round he needed to make up as many points as he could in round seven. 

Starting from the second row it gave him a great chance to take a sizable points haul if not a win, but it would be crucial to stay out of trouble this time, especially in the early frantic part of the race. He has won the last four championships on the bounce and you don't do that many without being clever and tactical in a race and over the course of a season. 

Jordan Kelly, Sheane, leads Donal Downey, Leastone, during the Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Fellow Dubliner Gavin Buckley was also out to make amends for a DNF in round six but his was all his own doing. He was starting from pole position alongside local man Donal Downey who has shown so very impressive pace so far this season. He has yet been able to put it together over an entire race yet but he is not far away and is one for the future in Formula Vee. As the lights went out it was Downey who got the best start and used the outside line round turn one to take the lead as Buckley lost ground to Jordan Kelly and Lee Newsome. Cross made a very rare bad start and lost four places off the line but hung on to remain in fifth as they headed out of turn two. With twenty cars on the grid and being so even one small mistake can cost you a lot of time and ground. 

Jordan Kelly, Sheane, leads Lee Newsome, Sheane, and Donal Downey, Leastone, during the Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Luckily for this round the drivers were using the international track which allows more overtaking opportunities. Kelly was right on the gearbox of the Downey and looking to try and get past as early as he could and try and make a break. He did at turn seven and by the ending lap one there was an seven car train that broke clear from the rest of the pack. The winner would come from here. As they headed out on to the international loop the front two were side by side and had a slight gap over their pursuers lead by Buckley from Newsome and Cross. With the front two battling they lost the gap the built up and now it was nose to tail once again and by the final corner Newsome made his move to take third. 

Jordan Kelly, Sheane, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, during the Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

It was shaping up to be a race that would be decided in the final laps as the front six cars remained in their positions as each defend their lines from the other. If Cross was going to try and take the win, in this one he needed to start making his moves soon. Up front in the space of two corners the lead had changed as Kelly carried too much speed into turn four and running wide letting Newsome by who had just past Downey in the turn before. As they took to the international loop again they were three abreast. Fantastic wheel to wheel racing leaving onlookers on their edge of their seats. By the end of the lap Cross had made his way by Buckley and moved into fourth and nearing a podium. His pace much quicker he closed the gap to the front three within a few corners. 

Jack Byrne, Sheane, leads Owen Kelly, Sheane, during the Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

His experience would be key now and his remarkable sense of biding his time would again come into play. Half way through this lap he was up to third and right on the gearbox of Newsome who had lost the lead to Kelly. Time was starting to run out but by the end of the penultimate lap he was up to second. With only the last lap remaining he had no time to waste in deciding where to take the lead. First he had to close the slight gap to the leader which he did as again Kelly went wide at turn four giving Cross the better line and momentum for the run up to the next corner where he got by to take the lead. If he held his lines around the tight International loop, it only left the final corner for a last chance move by those behind him.

Anthony Cross, Sheane, on his way to winning the Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

This he did and defended the final corner forcing Kelly to try and use the outside line. This was the case but as he did an over ambitious Downey tried to take second but hit the back wheel of Kelly and putting him into the gravel. This let Cross comfortably cruise to the chequered flag and take the win. Another classy and canny drive by the Dubliner who took maximum points to still hold the championship lead. Gavin Buckley took second with Jack Byrne in third. 

Anthony Cross, holds up his trophy after winning the Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Speaking after the race the winner was both relieved and happy to take the win. " I didn't get the greatest starts in the world! I dropped back and it took a while to work my way back through again and I got stuck behind Gavin for a while. Once I got by him I caught up to the others and started to pick them off one by one. I was concerned after bang the car took in the race before, but it was ok. It's great to get that win after having the DNF."

Shane O'Neill, Leastone, on his way to winning the LOH Motorsport class during the Formula Vee race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

In the VW Spares Championship Donal Downey hung on to take maximum points from Owen Kelly and Paul Lewis rounded out the podium. In the LOH Motorsport Rookie Championship Shane O'Neil took the win from Kieran Hannan this time with Stephen Roche in third.

The Next round of the series is back in Mondello but on the natioanl circuit on the weekend of the 16th and 17th of July.

Results:

Selco.ie

1st Anthony Cross

2nd Gavin Buckley

3rd Jack Byrne

VW Spares

1st Donal Downey

2nd Owen Kelly

3rd Paul Lewis

LOH Motorsport Rookie Championship

1st Shane O'Neill

2nd Kieran Hannan

3rd Stephen Roche

Buncranna Man Bags Second Win Of The Year at Round 5 - Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

Jordan Kelly, Sheane, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, on his way to winning the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Buncranna man Jordan Kelly dominated round five of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship with a lights to flag victory at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit in county Down on Sunday. Kelly who started from pole position ahead of championship leader Anthony Cross. Just like in Kirkistown, the other track the series visits in Northern Ireland, the long straights and fast bends seem to suit Kelly and his driving style as he always goes well on them.

Jordan Kelly, Sheane, leads the field on the opening lap on his way to winning the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

As the lights went out he got the better start but as often is the case at Bishopscourt the long run to turn one gives those behind time to draft past with the leader helpless to defend his position. It happened before in round four which put him down the field and caused him the chance of a win as he had to spend the rest of the race climbing back through the field and getting caught up in other peoples battles. This time however he stayed ahead and lead the field round the flout out left hand bend. Cross got beaten up a bit at the start and lost several place dropping to fifth as Sean Newsome moved into second with Donal Downey in third. 

 Sean Newsome, Sheane, leads Lee Newsome, Sheane and Michael O'Callaghan,, Leastone, during  the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Kelly set about making a gap to the rest in an effort to break the tow so he couldn't be caught by the other in his slip-steam along the long fast straights. This he did as by the end of the first lap he had a five car length lead. With weather conditions perfect it was shaping up to be a typical hard fought battle between the rest to battle for second place. Although he lost place at the start Cross was now moving up and he had to if he were to have any hope of catching Kelly. By lap two he was into fourth and a lap later into second and out to catch Kelly. Newsome ran into mechanical trouble as he did in round four dropping down the field which was a shame as he had looked strong. 

 Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, Lee Newsome, Sheane and Michael O'Callaghan,, Leastone, during  the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Jack Byrne winner of round four was up to fourth trying to find a way past Gavin Buckley but with everyone lapping so close in times it was hard for anyone to find a way by. Kelly was now 2 seconds ahead and and setting fastest lap of the race in doing so with a 1.10.037sec lap. Michael O Callaghan was have his best drive to date lying in seventh for much of the race and battling with Lee Newsome and Donal Downey all the way. The race for the lead was over by the halfway mark as Kelly had pulled the pin and was in no fear of being caught by Cross and both men just reeled off the laps. Third place however, was still up for grabs and a brilliant battle for the final podium place was giving the onlookers plenty to take about.

Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, during  the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Byrne tried everything he knew going on the inside then outside of turn one, inside at both chicanes lap after lap but Buckley defended his place. Sadly for Bynre laps ran out and he had to settle for fourth, though if he had got past earlier in the race it would have been interesting to see if he could have taken the fight to Kelly. That said, Kelly drove superb all race making it look easy with clean lines and never looked out of shape which is somewhat unusual for him.

Jordan Kelly, Sheane, on his way to winning the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

 He took the chequered flag 5.344 seconds clear of Cross and Gavin Buckley in third. A strong performance again and one that should give the Illies man confidence going into the next round at Mondello Park in June. It also gave him another maximum points haul in the VW Spares 'B' Championship to make it a double in class wins! 

Dan Coyne, Sheane, on his way to winning the LOH Motorsport Rookie class during the Formula Vee race, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

In the LOH Motorsport Rookie Championship class Dan Coyne got the better of Aaron Murray and Stephen Roche. The next round of the champship will take the drivers back to Mondello Park in county Kildare on the 11th and 12th of June. 

Results:

Seclco.ie National Championship

1st Jordan Kelly

2nd Anthony Cross

3rd Gavin Buckley

VW Spares 'B' Championship

1st Jordan Kelly 

2nd Donal Downey

3rd Sean Newsome

LOH Motorsport Rookie Championship

1st Dany Coyne

2nd Aaron Murray

3rd Stephen Roche