Melia Takes His Maiden Formula Vee Win

 

Conor Melia celebrates after winning his first Formula Vee national win

Kirkistown Racing Circuit hosted the 11th and final round of the Selco.ie Formula Vee championship on Saturday. The northern circuit is the traditional last hooray of the season but for once it wasn't a title decider weekend like it has been so many times before. This sadly meant a few of the usual front runners were not out but still the top two in Gavin Buckley and Conor Melia were. Sean McClements was back out again and flew in qualifying so much so he grabbed pole position with a 1.05.943 lap. Gavin Buckley for once this season had no pressure on him at the last round as he wrapped the title up last time out at Mondello Park, joined him on the front row.

There was drama before the race even began, due to being late to assembly the two front row men were put to the back of the grid. This promoted Melia and Thornton to the front row. The weather was horrible, with high winds and rain it made life very difficult for the drivers but at least the rain wasn't too heavy but the track was slippy. Melia got away well and took the lead going into turn one but behind him Thornton spun going into turn two. He wasn't the only one as nearly a third of the grid did the same with some colliding with other. More bad luck followed Buckley and McClements as they were two of those who spun off. Andy Keogh and Kieran Hannan benefited the most as the slotted into second and third. 

Conor Melia, Sheane, leads Kieran Hannan, Leastone, and Andy Keogh, Sheane, on his way to winning his first Formula Vee national race

In the opening laps the front three settled into a nice battle each threading the fine line of going fast enough without being close to going off. It looked like hard work as the back end of each car stepping out as soon as the power was applied. Oliver Devlin and Michael Stafford found the grip levels very hard to find exiting turn two they both spun off more than once but luckily no damage was done other than their pride. By the halfway point the front three had pulled clear from the rest of the field but Melia had opened a gap to the two men behind also. Once again this year his smooth driving style was helping him and his chances of his first national win come closer and closer.

Kieran Hannan, Leastone, leads Andy Keogh, Sheane, during the Formula Vee race.

The battle for second was intense with both Keogh and Hannan looking like they were driving two old MKll escorts as both had them going from rack to rack. Keogh who has found some form again in the last couple of races was trying everything to get by and did with a lovely move into turn one. Hannan replied swiftly into turn three and took the place back. With both these battling it out Melia pulled clear and was safe in the lead until the safety car came out and he would loose his healthy lead. 

Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads Fergal Begley, Sheane, during the Formula Vee race

On the restart Hannon made a move into turn one but Melia had it covered and a better run through turn three saw him pull a slight gap. Keogh now was right on the tail of Hannan and again tried everything to get past but just could not find a way by. Melia cleared off again and reeled off the final couple of laps to take his maiden Formula Vee national win for the SM Racing team. It was well deserved and capped off a great season for him and the team adding to his VW Spares 'B' championship which he secured last time out at Mondello. 

Andy Keogh, Sheane, leads Kieran Hannan, Leastone, during the Formula Vee national race

Conor Melia, Sheane, leads Kieran Hannan, Leastone, and Andy Keogh, Sheane, on his way to winning his first Formula Vee national race.

Conor Melia, Sheane, on his way to winning his first Formula Vee national race

The jubilant Lucan man wasn't shy in showing his joy at taking the win and afterwards said " I'm absolutely buzzing, a bit unexpected today with the two lads been moved to the back of the grid which left me on pole, but it's great for the SM Racing lads. They have put in a lot of work this year. It wasn't easy as the track was very slippy but I just concentrated on my lines and let the lads behind battle it out."

Blackburn Does the Double At Bishopscourt

Colm Blackburn, Leastone, leads Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Picture: Jack Cregg.

For rounds four and five of the Selco.ie Formula Vee championship, drivers made their way north of the border once again but this time to the beautiful Bishopscourt racing circuit. Situated inland from the coast just outside Downpatrick, it is a drivers favourite. The series only gets to visit this venue once a year so it makes it a special weekend in the racing calander. This year the good spell of weather continued and added to the weekend and it's rare that you get to race in tempretures above 20 degrees in Ireland. 

As with the previous round in Kirkistown the top three of Colm Blackburn, Gavin Buckley and Kieran Hannan would be looked on as favourites for the win. That said Conor Melia as shown in Kirkistown has upped his pace and now has to be also factored into the leading group. Qualifying came first however and it was closely fought. With just two tenths of a second cover the first three and less than a second over the top four it gave a good indication of a close race was to come. Blackburn took pole position from Buckley, but it was Melia in third with Hannan behind in fourth. 

Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads the field during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Picture: Jack Cregg.

As the lights went out it was Buckley who got the better start and lead into turn one with Blackburn behind Hannan in third, Melia in fourth. The circuit is the fastest in the country and is also a very flowing circuit with only a couple of overtaking opportunities so making an overtake means you have to fully commit to it at high speed. At the end of the opening lap it was still the same four car group who had gapped the next group lead by Eamon Thornton. It was close between the leading group all nose to tail but a mistake going into the second chicane by the leader Buckley saw him loose control of the car and spin off into the grass on the exit. He was lucky not to be collected by the Blackburn behind but he missed him and took the lead. Buckley now dropped down to seventh but was still close enough to make up a few places but a podium or win was gone. 

Above: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, leads the field during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race.

Below: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, looses control exiting the chicane during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Pictures: Barry Cregg.

Up front Blackburn was now the hare with Melia and Hannan the hounds. He had a slight gap now and was helped with Hannan moving into second at turn one. Niall O'Mara and Eamonn Thornton were locked in their own battle in the second group behind. O'Mara moving into fourth on lap four and began his own charge towards the front three. Buckley was hot on their heels though and was looking to make back as many places as he could. By the end of the race he did and strong comeback drive earned him fourth place and saved a few more championship points. This damage limitation could come into effect by the end of the year.

Kieran Hannan, Leastone, leads Conor Melia, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Two laps later second and third places were reversed and now Melia was closing in on leader Blackburn. Blackburn was now being clever defending well in the areas Melia was quicker making him try the long outside lines in turns one and three. He was quicker through the chicanes which helped him in the tight right hand bend at the end of the back straight which is where Melia's best chance was to pass. The former series champion was using all his experience against his less experienced rival. Hannan was now back on the heels of Melia once again so any slip up from the front two he was there to capitalise. 

Ger Byrne, Sheane, during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Picture: Barry Cregg.

John Lawless, Leastone, leads the field during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Eamonn Thornton, Leastone, leads the group from third during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Picture: Barry Cregg.

The laps were running out though and they were closing in on the tailenders so passing opportunities were made harder. Melia tried and tried but just couldn't find a way past. If Blackburn could hold of for the last lap the Ballyfermot man was on for another Formula Vee win at Bishopscourt. He did and took the chequered flag just ahead of Melia and Hannan. 

For the second race of the day they lined up on the grid just as the first race. On paper after the first race it shaped up to be another tight race with Blackburn out to make it a double, Melia out to get his maiden national win, the same went for Hannan and Buckley needed to take a win to keep up his title defence. It was a copy of the first start with Buckley heading the field into turn one with Blackburn behind in second. 

Blackburn didn't waste anytime and was in the lead by turn two and looked quicker than he did in race one and he began to pull away as they made their way up the back straight, through the two quick chicanes. Buckley remained in second but Melia and Hanan were right behind. A lovely move on the inside at the final chicane a lap later saw Hannan move up to third. Blackburn's opening lap advantage was now gone as the first four again were in their own group ahead of the field. Buckley tried at urn one to take the lead but couldn't get by Melia the same but was successful in turn two and was back up to third. This was already a great battle to watch and only two laps were done. 

Thornton and O'Mara were now closing in also and it was close to a six car train as they started another lap but over the coming laps their own battle would drop them back from the front four but it still shows their pace is getting quicker and it won't be long until they are heading the field also. Up front Buckley made a great move on the outside of the very fast turn one to take the lead from Blackburn and he now made a break from it as the two men behind him scrapped it out. Blackburn's pace through the chicanes though brought him right up to Buckley and starting the next lap he tried to do what was done to him on the outside of turn one. Buckley defended it but in Blackburn had the line for turn two and took the lead. Buckley then got a handful of oversteer allowing Melia through. From first to third in one corner undoing all his hard work.

Colm Blackburn, Leastone, leads the field during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Pictures: Barry Cregg.

With a lap and a half to go Melia had work to do but would only get one chance to make a move for the lead. Hannan was in the same boat to try and get third from Buckley. Blackburn knew it and defended well in turns one and two but Melia closed right in on the back section and would have to try at the final chicane or into the right hander after it. He tried but his car went out of shape on the exit of the chicane loosing him the run into the right hander after it. He held on to it well as it could have ended in disaster. All Blackburn had to do was hold his line in the final corner, which he did and took the chequered flag and make it a double victory. Buckley held off Hannan to take third and take some good points for the championship. 

Two small mistakes and it could have been a double for him but you have to give credit to Blackburn. He was fast, defended well and took his opportunities when they came to him. 

Speaking afterwards the Dubliner was delighted to be back on the top step. "That was fun we struggled with the car the last while but thanks to Paul Heavey we got it sorted. Its to hard to try a do everything on your own so we got Paul on board to help and its worked. Two wins this weekend shows it and I'm looking for to Mondello now in a few weeks."

Colm Blackburn, Leastone, leads the field during the Selco.ie Formula Vee race. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Results:

Race 1

Selco.ie National Championship

1st Colm Blackburn

2nd Conor Melia

3rd Kieran Hannan

TyreDoctor.ie 'B' Championship

1st Conor Melia

2nd Eamonn Thornton

3rd Fergal Begley

PrecisionWorks Engineering Rookie Championship

1st Brian Cowan

2nd John Lawless

Race 2

Selco.ie National Championship

1st Colm Blackburn

2nd Conor Melia

3rd Gavin Buckley

TyreDoctor.ie 'B' Championship

1st Conor Melia

2nd Niall O'Mara

3rd Eamonn Thornton

PrecisionWorks Engineering Rookie Championship

1st Brian Cowan

Comeback Cross Takes Fittipaldi Trophy Thriller

Anthony Cross leads Colm Blackburn, Gavin Buckley 

The final Formula Vee race of the year took place on Saturday at Kirkistown Racing Circuit in county Down. With all the championships decided, the Emmerson Fittipaldi Trophy race is the last chance for competitors to get their adrenalin fix until next year. Those who missed out on taking any silverware home had one last chance to do so and even for one driver it really was his one and only opportunity to get his hands on some silverware in 2024. Former series champion and Emmerson Fittipaldi Trophy winner Anthony Cross who decided to sit out this season, planned to just spectate at this years race. A late word from his dad and mechanic Fred, to bring the car out for at least one spin this year, saw him dust off the cobwebs of his faithful Sheane chassis vee and head north. 

Gavin Buckley leads Anthony Cross, Colm Blackburn, and Jack Byrne

Anyone writing the Bohernabreena man off due to his lack of track time this year had to eat their hats as there certainly was no rust or cobwebs on Anthony. In his only qualifying of the year he put his car on pole with a brilliant time of 1.05.182 seconds. A broken manifold cost him a chance of challenging for the win in the last championship race earlier in the day, but it was fixed and ready to go come race two. It would not be easy as newly crowned champion Gavin Buckley wanted to do the double and Jack Byrne and Colm Blackburn were out to make up for their loss of championship glory.

Colm Blackburn leads Anthony Cross, and Gavin Buckley

As the lights went out though it was Colm Blackburn who got the best start and lead the field away and for the opening lap until cross used his better exit of the chicane to get a run past on the way to the hairpin. Already it was a four car train for the lead with Buckley and Byrne tucked right in the slipstream of the front two. Owen Kelly made it five cars a couple of laps later but sadly the red flags came out as another car had dropped oil down. On the restart it was again Blackburn who got away first, could he hold those behind at bay this time? It seemed so as by the start of the next lap he had a couple of car lengths to Cross. Buckley and Byrne were right there too and it was only one of these four who were going to take the win. Such was the pace they had gapped the rest of the field enough to fight it out on their own.

Kieran Hannan leads Charlie Hart and Dan Polley

Colm Blackburn leads Anthony Cross, Gavin Buckley and Jack Byrne

Anthony Cross leads Colm Blackburn, Gavin Buckley and Jack Byrne

 Again a better run from the chicane saw Cross take the lead at the hairpin. Though the exit for Blackburn cost him ground and both Buckley and Byrne drew alongside down the main straight and by turn two he was down to fourth. By the hairpin Buckley had the lead but Cross got the better exit and retook the lead going into turn one. Blackburn did an identical move to Byrne to take third. This was shaping up to be another Formula Vee cracker. A lap later Buckley tried the same move and this time it worked and was back in the lead. He held firm for the next number of laps defending well and holding his lines but any slip and the others were through. 

A better exit from Cross at the hairpin saw him get alongside once again down the main straight to take the lead into turn one. this was undone by a bad exit from the chicane where the three men behind him  got the run down the back straight making it four abreast going into the hairpin. Blackburn tried a move round the outside of them all and it was close to coming off, but it did bring him up two places to second. Buckley dropped to third with Byrne in fourth. It was hard and close racing but also fair, and keeping the spectators on their toes and proving why the class is so popular. With three laps to go you could not call the winner at this point. A lap later Cross had a slower exit from the chicane allowing Blackburn get by and down the outside at the hairpin to retake the lead starting the penultimate lap. 

A great run through the chicane saw Blackburn create a small gap to cross on the run to the hairpin. Cross though took the outside line and retook the lead in a brilliant move to lead them out on to the last lap. It was nose to tail through the next series of corners which left the chicane and hairpin. Cross for once since the opening lap got the better run through the chicane to give himself the best chance to defend at the hairpin. Blackburn tried hard to close in on the brakes but was just too far back to make a move. Cross held it to the line to take the chequered flag and with it his fourth win of the Emmerson Fittipaldi Trophy. Byrne used the outside line to get an excellent run to the line where he pipped Buckley for third.

Anthony Cross holds the Emmerson Fittipaldi Trophy after spraying champange with Jack Byrne and being on the podium with Colm Blackburn

A truly brilliant Formula Vee race and one that will be remembered for a long time to come and rounding out the season in style.

Speaking to the winner after the race it was clear he was delighted to have ended his break from racing.

" That wasn't an easy race, I was under a lot of pressure. We tested Friday which was the first time I was out in the car all year, We had a lot of problems and didn't get one clean session where we didn't have to fix something so I wasn't happy with my pace at the end of it. Although you have to expect it after having the car lying up for a year. The race was brilliant though and Kirkistown always provides great racing. People say it's an easy track with the two straights, but its far from it. Colm and Gavin drove very well and it could have been anyone's. Racing here is a bit like poker you have to hold your cards and know when to play them. We are always treated very well up here too by the organizers who put up money and three sets of tyres for this race as prizes."

So did that race and win bring any regrets in not coming out sooner and will it tempt him back out next year? 

" I hadn't intended to leave it so late to go out racing this year but few things came up and i enjoyed the break too, we will see about next year no plans of yet but we will wait and see". 

Results: 

1st Anthony Cross

2nd Colm Blackburn

3rd Jack Byrne

4th Gavin Buckley

5th Dan Polley

6th Charlie Hart

7th Kieran Hannan

8th Conor Melia

9th Paul Lewis

10th Eamon Thornton

Buckley Bags 2024 Selco.ie Formula Vee Title.

Gavin Buckley 2024 Selco.ie Formula Vee Champion.

For the final round of the Selco.ie Formula Vee championship drivers headed north once again and to Kirkistown Racing Circuit. It is where this years series began back in march and once again it has been a dramatic run to the finale. Three points separated Jack Byrne and Gavin Buckley, so it was winner takes all and only if neither took the win then it would go back to countback of second places. 

Sadly recent Leinster trophy winner Ronan Doherty did not enter but former champion Anthony Cross made his return to the series for the first time this year and showed no signs of rust by taking pole position with a brilliant time of 1.05.182..Colm Blackburn and Dan Polley also would be ones to watch as both had nothing to play for. The Tyredoctor.ie 'B' Championship was also down to the wire between Kieran Hannan and Andy Keogh. So it would be an exciting race for both championships.

Gavin Buckley and Colm Blackburn battled for the lead in the opening laps.

 

As the lights went out it was Colm Blackburn who got a lightning start and lead the field through turn one ahead of Cross but Buckley was right behind and slotted into second by turn two. As always in the early laps in Kirkistown the field is one big freight train with everyone tucked into each others tow. Buckley wasn't for hanging around and took the lead on lap two putting Blackburn, Cross and Polley between him and Byrne. 

While they were going for the championship the rest were out for the glory but could play a big part in the outcome. Byrne had to work quick and get by the men in front to stay with the leader and not let him get away.A great exit from the chicane allowed him a run down to the hairpin and a brilliant move on the outside of Polley and Cross saw him up to third. A lap later he tried the same move on Blackburn but it didnt work. He got a better run down the straight and a dive down the inside at turn two saw him get through but was unable to hold the line and Blackburn got past again. All this let Buckley make a break for it and he pulled out a gap enough to cause those behind to loose the tow.

 While Gavin Buckley broke away in the lead, top, Jack Byrne and Colm Blackburn had a titanic battle the whole race, above.

With Buckley out of reach the race was for second and try as he might Byrne couldn't get past Blackburn over the next few laps. Cross tried to get past both at the hairpin but it didn't work out but was right there if anything happened between the two ahead. Then with a three of laps to go he Byrne got past at turn one and it looked like he could now pull away but a dive down the inside at the hairpin saw him briefly take second but Byrne got him on the switchback. Then on the last lap a move at turn two saw Blackburn back to second which he held to the line. However it was Buckley's day and year as he took the chequered flag to take his third win at Kirkistown and the championship with it. A well deserved victor who has been knocking on the door for the title in the last three years. And for someone who is a couple of years away from the free travel pass he has shown no signs of slowing down. It is thought he is the oldest Formula Vee champion too date, a record I'm sure he will hold for quiet a while. 

Gavin Buckley on his way to the 2024 Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

Speaking after the race which he made look easy, the delighted Dubliner said it was close to going all wrong in the dying stages; 

 " I am delighted to get the win here today. It was close all year between myself, Jack and Colm. It was far from easy though. I thought with two laps to go it was going to go all wrong. I could heard a noise getting worse with a few laps to go and it turned out to be a headstud that cracked. I wasn't sure weather to slow down or keep the pace the same. If I slowed the others could catch back up but if I kept up the same pace it could go wrong. So I just prayed to god that it held together and it did. It's been a great year and a huge thanks goes to Adam McAuley who runs the car and for making it so reliable all year. I have been close to taking the championship before but it just didn't happen for different reasons but to finally get it now is great." 

Further battles down the field top, Ger Byrne leads Niall O'Mara, Paul Lewis leads Conor Melia, Eamon Thornton, Kieran Hannan, leads Dan Polley on his way to the 'B' Championship and Charlie Hart leads Owen Kelly on his way to the rookie championship race win.

In the Tyredoctor.ie championship battle Kiearn Hannan took the victory. He ran right up with the front runner again showing the progress he had made this year. Finishing fifth ahead of Dan Polley he took the title in style. His rival Andy Keogh didn't get the start he wanted to get near Hannan but had a great battle with Ger Byrne, Conor Melia and Niall O'Mara. Charlie Hart already crowned this years rookie champion had a great battle with Owen Kelly all race but just lost out on seventh place to the Donegal man. 

Charlie Hart with his team after winning the Ability IT Rookie Championship

Results:

Selco.ie National Championship 

1st Gavin Buckley 

2nd Colm Blackburn 

3rd Jack Byrne 

Tyredoctor.ie 'B' Championship 

1st Kieran Hannan

2nd Owen Kelly 

3rd Paul Lewis 

Ability IT Rookie Championship 

1st Charlie Hart 

2nd Conor Melia 

3rd Simon Rudd

Hannan Takes Tyredoctor.ie Championship Win

Kieran Hannan, Leastone on his way to winning the Tyredoctor.ie Formula Vee Race.

Kirkistown Racing Circuit in county Down played host for round eight of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. The torrential rain that came down in testing the day before thankfully cleared off and finally the summer sunshine made an appearance for the drivers come race day. The Tyredoctor.ie and Ability IT championship runners had their own race as well as joining the main national runners later in the day. So first up was the race for the 'B' and Rookies which saw Robert Flemming took pole position from team-mate Kieran Hannan  to lock out the front row of the grid. As always at Kirkistown the long straights can cancel out a good qualifying position by the use of the draft along the straights but the higher up you are the less chance of getting caught up in someone else's mistake. That said it doesn't always work. 

Niall O'Mara leads the field on the opening lap of the tyredoctor,ie Formula Vee Race.

Flemming got a great start off the line and lead the field into turn one. Conor Meila from the second row got a great start also and got into second by turn one as Hannan's car bogged down off the line. However Niall O'Mara in his Leastone went one better and lead the field out of turn three and looked quick ahead of Paul Lewis who also made a good move at turn two to pass Fleemming who ended up locking the front end at turn three and taking to the grass and dropping all the way down to second from last. A disaster for the Kildare man and undone all his hard work in qualifying. 

Kieran Hannan, Leastone, leads Paul Lewis, Leastone, during the tyredoctor.ie Formula Vee race.

Lewis held the lead for the next couple of laps but Hannan got past at the hairpin. Charlie Hart was now up to third to make it a Leastone top three. Hannan began to put his stamp on the race by lap four edging a second over Lewis to open a gap up front. Robert Flemming was done and set fastest time on his way back up through the field picking them off one by one. Sadly O'Mara ran into mechanical problems as a rocker broke ending his fine drive. By midway Hannan led by over two seconds as Lewis began to defend heavily from Hart behind him. An excellent drive by the young Wicklow man in his first year of racing. Sadly fellow county man Ger Byrne spun at the hairpin allowing Flemming through and he was closing in on those in front.

Conor Melia crashes his Sheane out of the tyrdocotr.ie Formula Vee race.

Nearing the closing stages Hanan was safe in the lead but Hart had other ideas for second spot and passed Lewis into turn two. Behind him though Conor Meila and Robert Flemming had a coming together which saw Melia spinning off track but his car dug into the ground, flipping him into the air where rolled the car twice before landing on his four wheels. Thankfully the Dubliner was ok and walked away unhurt, sadly his car wasn't so lucky but will be repaired by the SMR racing team before the next round in Mondello. this brought out the safety car and then red flags. The win was never in doubt and Hannon took the win from Hart and Lewis. 

Paul Lewis, Leastone, leads Charlie Hart, Leastone, during the tyredoctor.ie Formula Vee race.

Robert Flemming, Sheane, leads Conor Melia, Sheane, during the tyredoctor.ie Formula Vee race.

Charlie Hart, Leastone, leads Paul Lewis, Leastone, during the tyredoctor.ie Formula Vee race.

Speaking after the race Hannan was again happy to take another win and help his championship chances. " I didn't make the best of starts but after a couple of laps I got into a rythmn and got passed Paul and Niall and took the lead and built on it each lap and was comfortable. Then the red flags came out and the race was declared a result. Its a good points haul for the championship now ahead of the next race in Mondello in September.

Results: 

Tyredoctor.ie 'B' Championship

1st Kieran Hannan

2nd Charlie Hart

3rd Paul Lewis

Ability IT Rookie Championship

1st Charlie Hart

2nd Simon Rudd

3rd Lee Flynn