Kearney Wins Final Race But Sheane Seals Series Title In Final Round - Formula Sheane 2021

Richard Kearney on his way to winning the final round of the 2021 Formula Sheane championship. Kirkistown Racing circuit, Rubane, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

In its 20th season it is fitting that this years championship went to a Sheane. The class and car born from David Sheane as a step up from Formula Vee at the beginning of the new millenium. For the final race it was quiet simple for the two championship contenders. 

Richard Kearney leads Paul McLoughlin, on his way to winning the final round of the 2021 Formula Sheane championship. Kirkistown Racing circuit, Rubane, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Philip Sheane who had one hand on the trophy after winning the penultimate race only had to finish in the top five if Derek Roddy won. Roddy knowing he only had a slim chance for the big prize was still upbeat and was going out to enjoy his race. " I'd need Phillip to load the car on to the trailer now for a chance to win the title now." He said laughing just before he took to the grid. In saying that a sure victory was taken away from Sheane at the same venue back in July and if a similar thing was to happen it would give Roddy the title cruel as it may be.

Derek Roddy could get no higher than second during the final round of the 2021 Formula Sheane championship. Kirkistown Racing circuit, Rubane, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Beyond these two there were others out to make up for lost time and ground and to set right the bad runs had earlier in the year. Paul McLoughlin made a much welcomed reappearance and showed good pace in the previous race. Brendan Carr finally got his arm working again to take the wheel of the double race winning car used by Enda O'Connor in rounds 3&4 at July's Mondello meeting. Rookies Chris Dunne and Richie Adams were also out to settle the Scholarship class. 

Philip Sheane stayed of of trouble on his way to winning the 2021 Formula Sheane championship. Kirkistown Racing circuit, Rubane, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Richard Kearney also wanted to end his bad year with at least one more win stating that he would win before taking to the track. Some prayed for him to win, saying " It will be a long winter if he doesn't!". So still all to play for in this final race of the year. A quick year it has been even though the late start due to the pandemic. Kearney and Sheane lined up on the front row and it was Kearney who got the best start to lead the field through Debtor's and into turn two. 

Paul McLoughlin, top, and Brendan Carr above both showed great pace this after long lay offs, during the final round of the 2021 Formula Sheane championship. Kirkistown Racing circuit, Rubane, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Paul McLoughlin also made a great start and pulled off a great maneuver around the outside of Sheane to take second place. A slight touch of wheels on the exit may have upset Sheane's rythm for turn three, but his reflexes weren't as he had to move quickly to the left as Roddy was on a charge past with no signs of easing for the corner. In fact he pushed Sheane wide causing him to drop to sixth. By the end of the second lap Kearney had already opened up a gap to Paul McLoughlin as he had Roddy breathing down his neck. Sheane was making his way through the field passing Adams and Carr a couple of laps later. Roddy mad his move into second but it would be hard to catch Kearney ahead especially as he now had broken the toe from the men behind him. Sheane was now in a safe fourth place with no pressure. He couldn't catch those at the front and he had gapped those behind. All he had to do was reel off the laps and the championship was his. Roddy tried hard to catch Kearney but the Carlow man was true to his word and wanted the win. The placings became stagnant with the gaps staying much the same throughout the field from the halfway mark. It would have been nice to see a battle up front for the title but Sheane used his head and stayed out of trouble after that near miss on the opening lap. In the end 

Chris Dunne on his way to winng the 2021 Formua Sheane Scholarship Class championship during the final round of the 2021 Formula Sheane championship. Kirkistown Racing circuit, Rubane, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Kearney cruised to another win and deservedly so as he was the quickest man all day taking fastest lap with a 1,01.708 second lap. Roddy did his best but it was always going to be a tall order and finishing again on the podium added to his consistency for the year. Paul McLoughlin came home in a fantastic third place and if only he had been out all year the championship could have been even closer. Hopefully he makes a return full time to the grid next year. Brendan Carr had a great run just finishing behind Sheane. 

Philip Sheane takes the chequered flag to become 2021 Formula Sheane champion. Kirkistown Racing circuit, Rubane, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

In the Scholarship class Chis Dunne may not have had the pace in race two to rival Richie Adams but after nearly loosing it all in the previous race he was happy to sit tight and bring the car home to win the class. A brilliant result for the all newcomer to motor racing.  So that was a wrap for the 2021 season which saw a resurrection of the class with four newcomers coming into joining the current runners. Hopefully the interest has been sparked by other to come back out and join them on the grid in 2022!

Results

National Class

1st Richard Kearney

2nd Derek Roddy

3rd Paul McLoughlin

Scholarship Class

1st Richie Adams

2nd Chris Dunne

3rd Garrett McKenna

Classy Cross Notches Up Another win

Anthony Cross holds his trophy after winning round four of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

For round four and second race of the weekend in the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship current champion Anthony Cross lined up on pole position ahead of Jordan Kelly who was eager to make it a double. The weather did not get any cooler so it was more of the same as the previous race in terms of tyre and engine management as well as coping with the heat. Cross actually had a cold shower in between races to try and help himself cope with the very hot conditions. 

Jordan Kelly, Sheane, leads the field into turn one during round four of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

As the lights went out though it was Cross who was caught napping as Kelly made a fantastic start and got the jump and lead as they went under bridge let alone the first corner! Tim Murray also made a good start and joined in third but Gavin Buckley was right behind and looking to move up and join the front to before they broke away. Kelly by the end of lap one had a two car length lead over Cross but cross in turn had a five car length gap over Tim Murray in third. Jack Byrne had now moved up to fourth and being full in Murray's mirrors meant he had to defend which caused them both to fall back from Kelly and Cross up front. The same happened to Buckley as he now had to defend from Trevor Delaney which in turn caused the first six cars spread out into three groups of two. 

Jordan Kelly, Sheane, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, during round four of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Cross was now much closer but seemed happy to follow Kelly for a few laps and see where he was quick. In doing that though it shields the cool air getting to the engine so he didn't want to stay behind for long if he could help it and he duly took the lead on lap 3. Byrne had now moved up to third demoting Murray to fourth but tightening up that group to a four car train. By the start of lap four Byrne found himself down in sixth and it was anyone's for the final podium spot. Up Front Cross now had to defend and put up with the pressure of leading the hard charging Kelly. This one was shaping up to be a Formula Vee classic. Kelly tried everything to get back into the lead inside, outside but it didn't work and Cross just soaked up the pressure as he always does, maybe the cold shower worked after all. Then just as the race was coming to a climax a plug lead came off Kelly's car with two laps to go. 

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Jordan Kelly, Sheane, during round four of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

A disaster for the Donegal man who did not deserve that bad luck after driving so well. It certain made life a lot easier for Cross who only had to keep going to take another win a build on his championship lead. Behind him Buckley and Murray now were battling for second place and swapped place several times in the last few laps with Cross cruised home to win yet again in Mondello, another strong performance and showing how staying out of trouble early on in races pays dividends by the end. Buckley came home in second to make up for race one and Murray took third.

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Jordan Kelly, Sheane, during round four of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

It didn't fail to deliver in action but it was a case of what might have been if Kelly stayed going. In saying that Cross did have the race under control and looked like having something in the bag if it came to it. Another strong performance from Kelly which was great to see going into the four week break before coming back to the national circuit in Mondello Park on the 14th of August.

ITCC Championship Finale Preview

Ciaran Denvir, Honda Civic, takes the chequered flag at round two at Kirkistown in March. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Looking ahead to next weekend's Leinster Trophy meeting at Mondello Park, it is hard to believe that the final round of the 2019 ITCC championship is upon us. It has been a very quick year ( no pun intended ), and one that has brought close racing throughout the grid up and down the country. It also has seen the emergence of two new northern stars both of whom have dominated at the Kirkistown meetings in March and June.

Ciaran Denvir, Honda Civic, on his way to winning round one at Kirkistown in March. Photo: Barry Cregg.

The ITCC rookies carried their Northern Ireland Saloon Car Championship form over from last year and made others stand up and take notice. Ciaran Denvir's double race win at that first meeting certainly was no fluke, as it was backed up at rounds three and four at Bishopscourt with a win and a second place. Stephen Potter also made the southern drivers lives difficult by taking his second double at Mondello Park in July, as well as finishing on the podium on four out of the five other races. Only for mechanical problems which prevented him starting round four he might have made it five out of five. Keith Campbell has been the only southern driver who has managed to win this year with a great display of driving in his faithful Volkswagen Corrado at the last round in Mondello Park. Maybe his track knowledge helped him somewhat, as it was his northern rivals first visit to the county Kildare track. However we will have to wait and see if this was the case next weekend.

Stephen Potter, Honda Integra, leads Ciaran Denvir, Honda Civic, on his way to winning round five at Kirkistown in June. Photo: Barry Cregg.

While not wanting to tempt faith, each round has been dry which is quite unique for a championship held in Ireland! If it does break and conditions are wet it will certainly help add an extra element to the championship finale. Ciaran Denvir has a twenty-four point lead of fellow Honda driver Stephen Potter, going into next weekend. This is effectively like having one hand on the trophy, but anything can happen in motor racing and bringing it home is not always as easy as it seems. A bad qualifying could lead to being stuck down the pack and increase the chances of getting caught up in somebody else's accident, driver error and also a mechanical fault are all situations that could take turns the table around. Potter finished ahead of Denvir in boths races last time out in Mondello Park, so on paper it looks like he has the edge at the track. If it is a repeat he can only hope that enough people are between him and his fellow county Down man or that something forces Denvir to have a non finish.

Keith Campbell, Volkswagen Corrado, on his way to a double win at Mondello Park at rounds seven and eight in July. Photo: Barry Cregg.

In Class 'B' Keith Campbell has already taken the title after his double race win last time out. In second place Robert Savage who drove so well in round seven still needs a good performance to seal the runners up spot in the championship from Gareth Hayden. While the championship is decided, the battle for second and third is surely one not to miss.

Tony Gallagher, Honda Civic, on his way to winning round one at Kirkistown in March. Photo: Barry Cregg.

In Class 'C' it is even more tight at the top, with only nine points separating the top two men Tony Gallagher and Daniel Faherty, in the championship. Just like Class 'A' the top two are driving Honda cars which highlights the reliability and performance of the Japanese manufacturer. Both men shared the spoils at the opening meeting by taking a win and a second each. It rounds three and four at Bishopscourt in May, it was Faherty who took both wins but Gallagher was there to take the runners up spot in both rounds. For the second visit to Kirkistown, both men took a win away with them but in race two Faherty finished third which gave Gallagher a slight edge in the championship table. At the last round in Mondello Park, Faherty struggled with gearbox problems but managed to take two third places but Gallagher did the double to increase his championship lead. Again anything can happen in the final two races and with the two men closely matched it will be exciting to see who comes out on top in a closely fought year long battle.

Daniel Faherty, Honda Civic, on his way to winning round two at Kirkistown in March. Photo: Barry Cregg.