Doherty Does the Double Including The Emerson Fittipaldi Tropy

 

30-09-2023: Ronan Doherty with the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

After the heartbreak of missing out on a certain win for the Leinster Trophy and a chance to bring the national championship to the final round, Dunloy youngster Ronan more than made up for it at Kirkistown Racing Circuit on Saturday. The Damien Doherty Racing car never missed a beat all weekend. The sign of what was to come was shown in qualifying by Doherty as he claimed pole position by 0.477 of a second which is a lot in Formula Vee. The weather forecast looked mixed for the day with heavy rain expected. For the final Selco.ie national championship round it was dry underfoot as the 23 cars lined up on the grid.

30-09-2023: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, and Dan Polley, Sheane, during the final Selco.ie Championship round. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

As the lights went out it was Gavin Buckley who took the lead as Doherty messed up the start and dropped to third by turn one. He was back up to second by turn two and right on Buckleys tail on the run down the back straight. A better exit from the hairpin brought him alongside and then into the lead by turn one. Behind them though Stephen Roche and Colm O’Loughlen had a coming together resulting in a big off for both men. Thankfully both were unhurt, and it is a testament to the strength of these Formula Vee cars as that is the third big incident this season and all drivers came away unharmed.

30-09-2023: Ronan Doherty, Sheane, leads Gavin Buckley, Sheane, during the final Selco.ie Championship round. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

On the restart Doherty it right and lead the field away with Buckley and Dan Polley behind in third who was out after a tremendous effort during the week by the LOH Motorsport team to build his car from scratch on Wednesday! Doherty was heading a four-car train as Buckley, Polley and Cross hounded him using the slipstream to good effect down the straights. Buckley made good use of it to take the lead going through turn one but undid all his good work by locking up the brakes at turn two and spinning off. Doherty got through cleanly but cross and Polley had to take avoiding action which let Doherty off the hook giving him a gap to build on.

30-09-2023: Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Dan Polley, Sheane, during the final Selco.ie Championship round. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Colm Blackburn was now in third, but Cross was on the move setting the fastest lap of the race in the process. Polley tried to close the gap to Doherty but just couldn’t manage it as the Antrim manged his lap times well and never got out of shape. Cross closed up to Polley in the final laps and moved past on the run to the hairpin to get into second. Polley didn’t give up but a big lock up going into the hairpin put an end to his chance to retake second.

30-09-2023: Ronan Doherty, Sheane, leads Dan Polley, Sheane, during the final Selco.ie Championship round. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Doherty cruised home to take the chequered flag and his fourth championship win of the year. A very mature drive and it would put him as one of the favourites for the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy race later in the day.

The weather forecast was correct and as predicted the heavens opened. As always, the wet is a great leveller and create a sense of unpredictability when it comes to the final results. With the track heavily covered in water in places the grip would be hard to find for drivers and vision even more so from the spray off the cars.  Again, it was Doherty who lined up on pole from Polley who initially got the better start but Doherty held his line round the outside of turn 1 and took the lead.

30-09-2023: Ronan Doherty, Sheane, on his way to winning the Emerson Fittipaldi race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

The clear road ahead would give him an advantage as he would not have to deal with the spray and let him create a lead. Polley was sticking with him for now though and Jack Byrne back out in his new car was in third and looked very strong. The weather was getting worse, and all were struggling for grip in the first sector of the lap and also the exit of the chicane.

30-09-2023: Ronan Doherty, Sheane, on his way to winning the Emerson Fittipaldi race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Barry Cregg.

The more Polley and Byrne battled the more the lead for Doherty grew and by mid race distance just like the earlier it was his to loose. Byrne finally got by with an excellent move through Debtors Dip. His pace was strong and he began to close on Doherty. Time was running out but backmarkers began to come into play and slowed Doherty down. Anthony Cross also began a charge and passed Colm Blackburn and closed in on Polley. The rain really was coming down hard now and it was borderline on being cut short. Cross got by at the hairpin to get third the best he was going to get as the front to were too far ahead.

Up front Byrne had closed the gap significantly to Doherty and it was shaping up to be a close last couple of laps.Then the red flags came out due to a car being off at the hairpin and lying in a dangerous position bringing an end to a very wet race early and denying a last lap shootout. That is not to take anything away from Doherty who drove superbly and took the win and with it the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy.

After the podium celebrations and fun was had a protest by Dan Polley against Anthony Cross was upheld as he was deemed to have passed him under yellow flags. This demoted Cross to fourth, 

30-09-2023: Ronan Doherty, Sheane, on his way to winning the Emerson Fittipaldi race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit. Picture: Jack Cregg.

Speaking afterwards he said:

“Well today was a fantastic close to a great rookie season, of course there are a few what ifs, but to take the most wins out of anyone this year is fantastic and to add the Emmo as one of those wins is amazing and nice to put my name beside the other great drivers who have gone before me”.

“Yesterday the car was on fire, wet or dry it didn’t matter, in qualifying we got a great lap, maximising the tow and from there drove smart in race 1 managing the gap after Gavin went round, The Emerson Fittipaldi was tricky in such a downpour but once I got my gap I knew I could drive at 80% and manage it by making use of the pit board. The cars great pace in all conditions is a testimony to the lads and all the work they put in. They are the real winners in my eyes”

 

 

 

Champion Cross Caps Off Season In Style - Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

Anthony Cross with the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Bohernabreena;s Anthony Cross finished off another championship year in style with a double victory in the season finale at Kirkistown Racing Circuit in county Down last Saturday. The current Selco.ie Formula Vee champion retained his title at the previous round in Mondello Park two weeks ago by finishing second to Owen Kelly. With the pressure of the championship in the bag he set his sights on not only winning the finale round of the series but the prestigious Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy race too.

With a solid grid of twenty cars taking to the track for qualifying and the return of former champion Dan Polley also the returned to form Jack Byrne it would not be an easy task. This meeting would also determine the outcome of the VW Spares ‘B’ and LOH Motorsport ‘Rookie’championships to add an extra bit of excitement to the onlookers. Cross gave himself the best chance to get the results he wanted by qualifying in pole position just ahead of young Kildare man Donal Downey who showed great pace at the same venue earlier in the year.

Jack Byrne, Sheane, leads the field during the Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Although he headed the field as the lights went out the long run to the first turn at the northern track can give those behind the bonus of a slipstream and as the field made it to turn two it was Jack Byrne who lead Cross with tucked in behind, followed by Polley and Downey. The long fast straights make it hard for anyone to break clear from one another due to the slipstream. Only a passing manoeuvre at the tight section into turn three or a mistake at the chicane can break up a train of cars. Cross had made a better exit from the final corner on lap one to give him the slingshot to get into the lead by turn one. Downey made a carbon copy move to move past Polley to move into third place.

Dan Polley, Sheane, leads Donal Downey, Leastone, Gavin Buckley, Sheane, and Tim Murray, Leastone, during the Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

He repaid him back into turn three, but it allowed the front two to begin to pull away. Byrne also was into the lead again by the hairpin but again Cross got the better run into turn one to retake the lead. Three lead changes in a lap set the tone for yet another brilliant Formula Vee race. Behind, the following three cars of Downey, Polley and Gavin Buckley headed to turn one side by side. The trust between all drivers is immense and it has to be at of 100mph. Downey held his place, but Buckley now moved into third. Again, Cross got into the lead at turn three but by the end of the lap Byrne once again retook him. It was hard to keep up, but it certainly was entertaining the spectators. It was now become a game of cat and mouse both drivers finding where each was better than the other of the course of the lap. Buckley had now moved up another place into third and set out to catch the front two.

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, during the Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

The front two would repeat each move Cross getting by at turn one only to lose it at the final corner. By the halfway mark though Bynre had settled into a rhythm and hold the lead over the next couple of laps and began to look like he was controlling the race until they cam upon a backmaker which held him up at turn two cost him time and letting Cross get past yet again, undoing all the hard work of the previous few laps. The Battle for third was still as tight as Buckley and Downey continued to pass and repass each other. As Polley made his move on Downey into turn two to move up to fourth Downey ran wide cost himself time and dropped back and out of contention for third. Up front Byrne found his way past at the hairpin with three laps to go but as they started the final lap cross after yet another clear run to the line seemed to let his opponent by to lead them round to the back straight where he could make a move with the slipstream to retake the lead.

Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Donal Downey, Leastone, and Dan Polley, Sheane,  during the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

A risky plan if any mistake was made but one if it worked would show why he is a five in a row champion. It did as he got the slingshot heading towards the hairpin, but another backmarker being in their way was not what he could have planned for, his exit was compromised, and Byrne drew alongside him. It was a drag race to the line where Cross got the win by 0.005 of a second! One of if not the closest ever finishes to a Formula Vee race seen. Gavin Buckley finished in third and set the fastest lap of the race in doing so. Although he dropped back Downey, came home in fifth but more importantly became the VW Spares ‘B’ Champion. A great result for the talented Kildare youngster. Speaking to the victor after the race it was clear he enjoyed that race.

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, during the Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

“Jack kept me honest in that one, I lost count how many times we passed each other for the lead. Then backmarkers got involved but I just got it on the line, it was a great race”.

VW Spares Champion Donal Downey. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Kieran Hannan again drove superbly as he has all year to become the LOH Motorsport Rookie Champion. He showed great pace and is sure to be up there with the top ‘B’ championships runner’s next season.

Kieran Hannan, Sheane, during the Formula Vee race. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

With all the championships sorted it was time for the second Formula Vee race of the day for the prestigious Emmerson Fittipaldi Trophy. A trophy given to the Irish championship by the former Formula 1 World Champion. There was also a prize of €150 was up for grabs to the driver with the fastest lap. It was the top two from the previous race who lined up on the front row and again Cross started from pole. Byrne was out though to make amends for missing out on the win earlier and if that race was anything to go by the onlookers were in for a treat.

Jack Byrne, Sheane, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, during the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Byrne got a flyer and lead into turn one but out-braked himself letting Cross take the lead but he kept Polley at bay in third. Yet again the front two began to brake clear of the field and opened a five car length gap by halfway round the fist lap. As they rounded turn one for the second time Byrne was into the lead and straight away was out to build some sort of lead and not get dragged into another lead swapping battle so early on again in this race. Gavin Buckley was now into third ahead of Downey and Polley in what was now a carbon copy of the result in the earlier race. So much for not having a lead swap battle as Cross retook the lead two laps later at the hairpin only to lose it at the same spot a lap later.

Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Donal Downey, Leastone, and Dan Polley, Sheane,  during the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

All this helped Buckley and Downey to close in to make it a four-car train. Polley dropped back from the four ahead but held a solid fifth place. Yellow flags came out at the chicane which ruled it out as an overtaking spot but as they exited it Byrne got by a backmarker just at the right time giving him a gap as Buckley and Cross tripped over each other getting past the backmarker. Buckley got by and into second but not for long as by turn two he was back to third. Byrne ran slightly wide on the exit of the chicane losing ground and by the start of the next lap Cross was past. Byrne repeated the mistake a lap later at the same spot and this time Cross got the gap to his rivals behind. It was enough to give him some real breathing room and with only a few laps to go it looked like it was his for the taking.

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, and Gavin Buckley, Sheane, during the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Buckley was now into second ahead of Byrne and Downey. These three would need to work together if they were to reel in Cross but they began to have their own battle, swapping places and going three a breast into turn one wasn’t going to help catch the leader. It was all very entertaining though. Another mistake at the chicane by Byrne allowed Downey by going down the back straight. He retook him again at the beginning of the next lap and then Downey began to lose touch and drop back. A lap later Cross began to drop time and began to drop back to the two men behind.

Jack Byrne, Sheane, leads Gavin Buckley, Sheane, and Donal Downey, Leastone, during the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

It was enough to give them the tow again and with two laps to go it was again a three-car train. Yet again backmarkers looked to come into play as they were being caught coming to the chicane for the final time. A mistake by Buckley this time allowed Byrne through, but time was nearly up as they headed for the hairpin for the final time. Those backmarkers did hold Cross up but luckily for him not enough to allow anyone by and he held his lead to take the Fittipaldi Trophy race win.

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Gavin Buckley, Sheane, during the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Byrne held second with Buckley in third. Another close and hard-fought Formula Vee race won by Cross rounding out another great year for him and giving him the clean sweep of trophies for the year by adding the Fittipaldi Trophy to the Championship and Holmpatrick trophies he already won. It is such a rare achievement to do such a feat but one that is thoroughly deserved as he has been the benchmark for others for so long now.

Bill Adair presents the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy to Anthony Cross. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy podium Anthony Cross, centre, with Jack Byrne, left, and Gavin Buckley, right. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

"They were two great races today. I’m delighted to have won both and I was pushed hard all the way. I thought the second race was going to be a copy of the first between me and Jack, but he got caught up battling with Gavin and I got a way for a while. I was getting really bad understeer into turn three and lost time but I’m glad I got to hold on to take the win. Thanks to all the class sponsors and to my dad for his help all year.”

Anthony Cross with the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy with Jack Byrne,left, and Gavin Buckley, right. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Anthony Cross with the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Anthony Cross with the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, Kircubbin, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Cross wins again at the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship Finale and Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy Races

Anthony Cross with the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy after winning in Kirkistown today. 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland car races, Kirkistown. Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

With the autumn days getting into their stride and the long evenings now a distant memory, it also meant that the 2019 Selco.ie Formula Vee championship was drawing to a close. Not before one last outing though, and another trip up north to the popular Kirkistown racing circuit in county Down.

While the championships were all decided at the previous round at Mondello Park two weeks ago, it didn't mean that this last round would be of little significance. This would be the last chance for some to grab their first win of the year or even their first ever win! Anthony Cross who successfully retained his title this season, would be out to finish the year with another victory and the rest would be out to stop him doing just that! Not only was it the final championship meeting, but also a separate race for the all important Emerson Fittipaldi trophy, won last year by Dan Polley.

Philip Sheane, Sheane, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, and Jack Byrne, Sheane, on the opening lap of Formula Vee race one. 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland car races, Kirkistown. Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg

A grid of fifthteen cars lined up on the grid headed by Philip Sheane who impressed at this track in August. He was the man who dominated qualifying and took his maiden pole position by 0.787of a second from Anthony Cross. Joining the grid for the first time this year was UK Formula Vee champion Ben Miloudi. When the lights went out it was Cross who lead the field towards turn one, the infamous Debtors Dip. Cross held his lead as they exited turn two, followed by Philip Sheane, David O'Loughlin, Dan Polley, and Jack Byrne. His lead was short lived as by the second lap it was Sheane who now lead. Building on from his qualifying, Sheane was showing he wasn't going to let Cross have it all his own way. Cross retook the lead on lap five dropping Sheane back towards Dan Polley who by now was up to third.

Philip Sheane, Sheane, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, and Jack Byrne, Sheane, during Formula Vee race one. 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland car races, Kirkistown. Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

The race was shaping up to be the one of the closest all year as the lead battle grew into a five car train. Once again Sheane on lap seven took the lead from Cross determined to grab his maiden win. The front began to slightly gap Polley and Byrne in third and fourth, Jimmy Furlong was also putting the pressure on in fifth. It looked like anybody's race and a small mistake could see you drop back down the order in a split second.

Philip Sheane, Sheane, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, during Formula Vee race one. 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland car races, Kirkistown. Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Philip Sheane, Sheane, and Dan Polley, Sheane, during Formula Vee race one. 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland car races, Kirkistown. Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg

Then with only a couple of laps to go Cross made his move on Sheane to retake the lead which he held onto to the chequered flag but by only 0.2 of a second. Polley came home third but by only 0.001 of a second from Byrne. Again it was this years champion who took the win but he was made work hard for it and it shows that next year's championship looks set to be a closely fought one.

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Philip Sheane, Sheane, and Dan Polley, Sheane, on his way to winning Formula Vee race one. 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland car races, Kirkistown. Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg

Speaking afterwards Cross said " That was a tough race, Phil was flying! I looked in my mirrors coming out of the chicane and saw that he got a slide which gave me that edge on the back straight on the final lap and I knew I had it then. I had a great year but I also had a bit of luck too".

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Philip Sheane, Sheane, and Dan Polley, Sheane, on his way to winning Formula Vee race one. 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland car races, Kirkistown. Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Philip Sheane, Sheane, on his way to winning Formula Vee race one. 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland car races, Kirkistown. Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg

Now that the championship was over, it was time for the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy race. Cross was out to take his second win of the meeting boosted in confidence after winning the season finale race earlier in the day. The Fittipaldi Trophy is a trophy all formula vee drivers want their name on. All that has gone on during the season prior to it, be it good or bad goes out the window. The old saying of 'Saving the best for last' certainly couldn't have been more apt for the race to bring the curtain down on the 2019 season. At one point there were six cars battling for the lead with nothing bar a cigarette paper between each of them.

 Philip Sheane, Sheane, leads Jack Byrne, Sheane, and Anthony Cross, Sheane, during the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy race. 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland car races, Kirkistown. Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg

It began with Philip Sheane taking the lead from Anthony Cross around the outside going through 'Debtors Dip' followed by David O'Loughlin who was having his best showing of the year in second place with Jack Byrne in third and Cross forced back to fourth place. Going into the chicane on lap two Byrne forced his LOH Motorsport car up the inside of Sheane to briefly lead, but with Sheane having the line for the second part he couldn't make his move stick.

Jack Byrne, Sheane, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, during the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy race. 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland car races, Kirkistown. Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg

In doing so Sheane got out of shape and ended up having a bad run on the exit, giving the rest behind, lead by Cross a better run down the back straight. By turn one on lap four cross was now in the lead taking Sheane on the inside. Setting out to build a lead, proved unsuccessful as he simply could not shake off the pack behind, now lead by Byrne who was determined get by as soon as possible. He did so within a couple of laps and it looked like the front two would have the race to themselves, especially after Sheane got his car very out of shape on the exit of the chicane with only a handful of laps to go.

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Philip Sheane, Sheane, and Jack Byrne, Sheane, on his way to winning the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy race. 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland car races, Kirkistown. Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

On lap eleven Cross got back in front and slowed the pace to bring the pack behind back into play again in efforts to prevent Byrne getting passed. It worked but just, as Sheanes last corner efforts nearly came off but Cross held it to the line to win by 0.021 of a second with Byrne back in third and Jimmy Furlong in fourth. The top four all crossed the finish line within the same second. Furlong grabbed the fastest lap in another strong performance. A second win for Anthony Cross made it a championship and Fittipaldi trophy double and deservedly so. As he was the man to beat all year and won at times by digging deep when other really should have won.

2019 Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy winner Anthony Cross. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Two great races to end what has been a season full of action packed races, where we saw the champion retain his title, new contenders emerge strongly, old stalwarts show the young cubs that they can still mix it and win against the best of them and above all great sportsmanship between all competitors off the track where help was always on hand when somebody needed it. Hopefully more people come out next year and those who were out come back again and make the www.selco.ie Formula Vee Championship bigger and even better in 2020!

2019 Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy winner Anthony Cross. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Race Results:

Round 11

'A' Championship

1st Anthony Cross
2nd Philip Sheane
3rd Dan Polley

'B' Championship

1st Jack Byrne
2nd David O'Loughlin
3rd Nick Mullhall

'Star of Tomorrow' Championship

1st Philip Sheane
2nd Justin Gray
3rd Sean McCallion


Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy Race

1st Anthony Cross
2nd Philip Sheane
3rd Jack Byrne
4th Jimmy Furlong
5th David O'Loughlin
6th Ben Miloudi
7th Nick Mullhall
8th Justin Gray
9th Ger Byrne
10th Sean McCallion