McGrath Makes It A Double

Kevin McGrath celebrates after winning both Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

For rounds 5&6 of the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship, competitors were back at Mondello Park. The weather was miserable and with oil laid down on the track from a previous race, the already slippery conditions were made even worse. Returning for this round was former champion and wet weather specialist Des Bruton. While not out to do the full series he would out to try a take another win but could take championship points off title contenders Kevin McGrath and Dave Reynolds.  It was Bruton who took pole position showing no signs of being rusty after his long lay off, from Roger Walaratne and Dave Reynolds. It wasn't so good for McGrath only qualifying in 7th and leaving himself with a lot of work to do. From the off it was Bruton in the lead from Reynolds as he lead the field into turn one. It was plain to see the track conditions were poor as everyone struggled for grip and not just from the rain.

Des Bruton leads Dave Reynolds during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

 That said it was the same for everybody but it was Bruton who made the most of it by stretching out an early lead in the opening laps. Reynolds was playing himself in and getting used to the conditions. After the initial laps were completed his pace picked up and began to close the gap. McGrath however did the opposite and carved his way up to third after the first half of the race. He was now on the bumper of Reynolds and had to get past quickly to give himself time to catch the leader Bruton. Just after the halfway mark he was past and already making inroads to Bruton. Try as he might, Reynolds couldn't keep up the same pace. With three laps to go McGrath made his moved to take the lead. Bruton stayed right behind but eventually lost ground. It was a case of bringing her home for the Naas driver. He kept smooth and didn't get out of shape much and took the chequered flag with a nice margin to spare over Bruton and Reynolds. He also took the important fastest lap to gain an extra championship point.

Dave Reynolds leads Roger Walaratne during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Kevin McGrath during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

For race two it was a reverse grid with Colin Kelly on pole from Des Meehan. This time the track was dry but the rain was not far away but there was a strong breeze which pushing the rain away for the start of the race. A dry race makes for better racing and a truer understanding of who was quickest. Kelly and Meehan got away well but a lightning start from McGrath saw him up to third by turn two and by the exit of turn 3 he was in the lead. Roger Walaratne also had a great start and was into second.

Dave Reynolds  was stuck in traffic and in fourth and if he did not get by one or two in the next few laps he was going to loose ground to McGrath. While the conditions remained dry it was at this stage McGrath needed to make ground before his main rival caught up. He put in the times and gapped the three behind over the few laps. By lap four Reynolds was into third and on Walaratne's tail. He couldn't afford to waste two or three laps behind him. He didn't and was into second a lap later. Now with a clear road ahead he carved into the lead McGrath built up. The weather too was changing again and the rain began to fall once more. Understandably being first on the road McGrath was cautious as the rain began to fall albeit not hard enough to wet the track to effect the grip levels.

KevingMcGrath leads the field during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Roger Walaratne leads Des Meehan during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Des Meehan leads Dave Reynolds during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

By now Reynolds was almost on his tail and as the rain blew off again the front two began to battle it as they have all year. Reynolds piled on the pressure every corner, but could not find a way by.. McGrath was on full defence mode and used the inside line all the way round to hold the lead. It was yet another brilliant battle between these two. Behind them though Des Meehan. Roger Walaratne and Des Bruton were also locked into the final podium spot battle. Walaratne defended well with Bruton unable to find a way past. Meehan too had the same problem with Bruton but was having his best run this year so far after mechanical problems in both races at the first two rounds.

Kevin McGrath during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Dave Reynolds leads Des Meehan during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Des Bruton leads Darragh Evans during Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship races. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Up front McGrath brought it home to do the double but it was Reynolds who got the fastest lap in this race to get an extra point. It was some consolation for his hard work in catching and trying to pass McGrath. The happy Naas driver knew he worked for the wins this weekend " Yeah I mad hard work of that today but I am delighted to get the two wins. I got it worng in qualifying and ended up seventh. Got good starts in both races and tried to make it to the front each time which I did. The first race was wet but the oil all over the track made it very hard work. Fair play to Dave he has found a lot of pace this year and pushed me all the way in the second race but I just defended and defended and it was enough to take the win again."

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.

Drought and McGrath Share The Spoils At Bishopscourt

Nicole Drought leads Jonathan Taylor during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Jack Cregg.

Building on his success in the opening two rounds of the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship, Kildare man Kevin McGrath took home a further win in round 3 and maximum points in round 4 at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit this weekend. The Naas man certainly is reaping the awards for his hard work over the winter. Rebuilding and upgrading a few things on the car have benefited him massively this season. Former series champion Jonathan Taylor and a guest drive by Nicole Drought who usually competes in the UK Trackday Championship joined the grid for this weekend and would bring stiff competition to the meeting. The Bishopscourt track is a fast and flowing one and gives the drivers a chance to really stretch the legs of the Ford Zetec powered cars. 

Kevin McGrath leads Niall McFadden during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Barry Cregg.

The weather could not have been any better with high temperatures and barely a cloud in the sky as qualifying began. It was a close run affair as the top 5 were covered by one second. Taylor grabbed the pole position spot by 0.2 of a second from McGrath with Drought impressing in third. 

As the lights went out for race one of the weekend it was Taylor who got the best start and lead the field into turn one. Drought though gained a place straight away by moving into second place ahead of McGrath. As they all made their way round on the opening laps the first four of Taylor, Drought, McGrath and McFadden began to open an early gap to the rest of the field. It was close and the two chicanes on the back section were the time was going to be won and lost over the race. Even through the second one on the opening lap Taylor was using all and even some more of the road in his efforts to keep Drought at bay. This would cost him eventually.

Jonathan Taylor leads Nicole Drought during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Barry Cregg.

Nicole Drought leads Jonathan Taylor during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Barry Cregg.

Roger Walaratne leads Colin Marnane and Richie Byrne during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Jack Cregg.

As the race settled down after the opening laps the first four spilt into two with Taylor and Drought battling for first and McGrath and McFadden battling for the final podium spot. Drought made her move at turn one and took the lead from Taylor who stuck to her tail and this gave the onlookers something watch. Both on the limit, one defending the other waiting for a slight gap to open and to make a move. At the final chicane Taylor dove down the inside of Drought and retook the lead. Drought had to give way or risk loosing time to Taylor but still was right in contention. 

A lap later she was back in the lead, but a mistake at the first chicane where she spun onto the grass saw her drop to fourth. This left Taylor off the hook for a wile but McGrath put in some quick laps and began to close in on him and pulling clear of McFadden in third. Time was running out though and Taylor crossed the line first but in his efforts gained a 15 second time penalty for track limits which would drop him back to fourth. This promoted everyone up a place, so in the end McGrath took the win ahead of McFadden and Drought.

Jonathan Taylor leads Nicole Drought during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Barry Cregg.

Colin Marnane during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Jack Cregg.

Dominic Ryan leads Des Meehan during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Jack Cregg.

Jonathan Taylor leads Nicole Drought during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Jack Cregg.

Richie Byrne leads Dominic Ryan during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Jack Cregg.

Jonathan Taylor leads Nicole Drought during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Jack Cregg.

For race two the top six are reversed so it was Colin Marnane on pole from Dave Reynolds. The pace at the front was as hot as it was in race one from the off so by the end of the opening lap it was the Taylor and Drought show again. Drought lead but Taylor was watching her every move. McGrath and McFadden also renewed there battle from race one for third although briefly joined by Dave Reynolds before he had to retire. Colin Marnane wasn't far away either but all eyes were watching the battle up front.

Taylor retook the lead and defended over the next number of laps and also keeping an on his track limits this time, not wanting to receive another penalty. Drought seemed happy to sit in second and way up where she could make her move. As the laps ran down to the final one she went for it on the inside going into turn one. Taylor hung on the outside and both banged wheels as the rounded the fast left hand corner. Taylor ran wide on to the grass dropping back to fourth. By this stage McGrath had pulled clear of McFadden after battling for most of the race to moved into second. 

Drought just had to bring it home to take the win, which she did with McGrath in second and McFadden third. With Drought not registered for the championship this gave McGrath a maximum score in the points again to strengthen his lead in the championship.

Darragh Evans during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Barry Cregg.

Niall McFadden during the Stryker race at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Barry Cregg.

Nicole Drought takes the chequered flag to win the Stryker race 2 at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit. Picture Barry Cregg.

Speaking afterwards the man from Naas told me how his weekend went, " I nearly didn't make it here as the van broke down during the week but thanks to Andy Dalton and Jonathan Taylor I got here. First was was great I had a great battle with Jonathan but he got a penalty which gave me the win. The second race I was just a spectator really watching the battle up front. It was still a great weekend though, the sun was out, had a few beers and great craic. I'm looking forward to Mondello Park next and hopefully do well there."

A delighted Nicole drought also spoke afterwards " I have a big gap in my racing in the UK at the moment and one of my commercial partners is the Beacon Sports Clinic, so Michael Cullen suggested that I drive his car this weekend. I jumped at it as Strykers are so much fun to drive. The cars are pretty equal with 4 or 5 drivers able to win at a weekend. I was comfortable in race one but made a small mistake at the first chicane and went off but I got the head down and got third and fastest lap. Race two was a thriller with Jonathan with a hectic scrap all the way to the flag and delighted to take the win. Thanks to Michael Cullen and LOH Motorsport and everyone in the Stryker class it was a great weekend."

Double Tops For Cullen To Clinch Third Irish Stryker Title

Michael Cullen leads Roger Welaratne on his way to winning both Irish Strykers races. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. 

For the penultimate round of the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Strykers championship drivers took to the International layout at the county Kildare track. Despite missing the third round, series leader Michael Cullen came into this round with a healthy lead over son Victor by finishing either first or second in all races so far. A similar result this weekend will clinch another championship for the Dubliner, to add to his vast collection of national titles he already has. 

Victor Cullen leads Des Meehan during the opening Irish Stryker race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

Dominic Ryan leads Andrew Dalton during the opening Stryker race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

Des Meehan leads Roger Welaratne during the opening Irish Stryker race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

The day started off well by taking pole position in qualifying by 1.2 seconds ahead of son Victor and closest championship rival. The immaculately prepared cars ran by Kevin O'Hara of LOH Motorsport sounded crisp and sharp and clearly were doing the job by locking out the front row. However as the lights went out Des Meehan got a great start and got down the inside of Cullen as they went into turn 1. The international track gives drivers more chance to overtake than their normal races round the national layout but Cullen wasted no time in getting past and into the lead by the end of lap one. Not only that but he pulled out a healthy lead in the process leaving little hope to son Victor by the time he got past Meehan dad was too far ahead. Barring mechanical failure all Cullen senior had to do was keep his pace up and bring the car home.

Niall McFadden leads Colin Marnane during the opening Irish Stryker race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. 

Brendan Curran leads Darragh Evans during the opening Irish Stryker race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

Pat Bergin in action during the Irish Stryker race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

Darragh Evans in action during the Irish Stryker race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

Michael Cullen on his way to a third Irish Stryker Championship. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

Behind him though Meehan who now was down to third had to battle with Roger Welaratne and Andrew Dalton all race long for the final step on the podium. All three looked to be working hard behind the wheel between understeer and oversteer all would gain and then loose time to each other. It was clean racing though and provided entertainment for the onlookers although Darragh Evans provide that on his own, his car full of opposite lock on the exit of turn three for most of the race and also a full 360 on his approach to the penultimate corner. Niall McFadden and Colin Marnane had a great battle all race long with Marnane coming out the better. Meehan came out on top in the battle for third but ended up eleven seconds adrift of the top two.

Ahead Cullen took his foot off the gas on the final lap to lead home son Victor and to take the title for the second year in a row.

For the second race the top six on the grid were reversed as is normal practice in the championship and Dominc Ryan headed the front row alongside Andrew Dalton. The windy overcast day had began to drop a slight shower of rain ahead of the start but not enough to declare a wet race. Meehan lead the field but just as the opening lap was ending he went off and hit the barriers hard which brought out the red flags. Thanks to the medical team and track marshals in doing their job perfectly and thankfully Des didn't suffer any serious injuries. 

Andrew Dalton lead Roger Welaratne during the Irish Stryker race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

When the race was restarted time was limited due to the incident resulting in a shortened race. Nonetheless it was entertaining from the off as Michael Cullen sliced through the field on the opening lap and battled with Welaratne early on but once past, like race one he pulled away easily. Sadly for Victor Cullen while in a great battle with Walaratne, Dalton, Marnane and Dominic Ryan his gearbox cried enough and had to pull in. the four way dice was down to three with a couple of laps to go Marnane dropped back but it was a photo finish for second and third with Dalton getting the runner up spot by 0.58 of a second. 

So a perfect weekend again for Cullen taking another double and his third championship with it. It is a great achievement for someone who has won so much over the years to still have the hunger to win and the motivation. 

Michael Cullen on his way to his second win of the day in the Irish Stryker Championship. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. 

Michael Cullen on his way to his second win of the day in the Irish Stryker Championship. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare.

"I am delighted to win the Stryker championship again in 2024 and feel very grateful to have had LOH Motorsport prepare and build the fastest and most reliable cars for myself and Victor these last few years. We are going to leave Strykers next year for a couple of different challenges but we hope to return to the class in 2026 or 2027. It has been a fabulous experience racing these exciting cars with a great bunch of other drivers. I have never experienced such friendship and camaraderie in any class of racing over the last 40 years and I look forward to watching the class next year from the sidelines. Before that though there is one more round in October!"