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.

O' Connor Rolls Back The Years With Victory In Formula Sheane Round 3

Enda O'Connor leads Derek Roddy on his way to winning round 3 of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

County Kildare's Mondello Park again was the venue for the third round of the Formula Sheane Championship, this time on the international circuit. The warm weather was a welcomed boost for organizers who were allowed to open their gates to spectators for the first time in almost two years. It is still early days as far as title races go but another couple of strong points positions for those who scored well last time out would put pressure on those who didn't. Would the drama of the opening race be repeated and would the new kid on the block Philip Sheane, take another win? Everyone was out to see if it would happen again. 

Enda O'Connor claimed pole position during qualifying for round 3 of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Unfortunately the drama all happened off track this time before a wheel was turned in anger. First round winner Paul McLoughlin did not make the start with his engine letting go in testing and also Brendan Carr who hurt a shoulder also was sidelined. This lead to former champion Enda O'Connor coming out of retirement for this meeting. It still shaped up to look a close contest as Derek Roddy was now back after his mechanical troubles at the opening weekend and Philip Sheane and Richard Kearney also were there to battle it out. 

Derek Roddy leads Philip Sheane in their battle for second during round 3 of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

First blood went to O'Connor however as he set his stall out by qualifying on pole. Those who thought it might take a bit of time for him to get up to speed were wrong as he was ahead of second qualifier Roddy by 0.504 seconds. Sadly Richard Kearney had to pull out due to illness leaving one of the front runners out of the mix. As the lights went out it was O'Connor who led the field into turn one. followed by Roddy and Sheane. The unusually high temperatures made it hard for engines and tyres.

Enda O'Connor leads the field into turn one during round 3 of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

 O'Connor built a lead up but at the same time did not make a large enough gap to leave room for any mistakes. Roddy and Sheane held themselves up for a couple of laps while battling together but once Roddy's car began to leak oil, Sheane dropped back as his visor became covered in the oil forcing him to leave it open for a couple of laps before he got it cleared. Roddy who was oblivious to his cars problem pressed ahead and began to catch O'Connor. 

Mark Keenan leads Tom Foley in their battle for fourth place round 3 of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Enda O'Connor on his way to winning round 3 of the Formula Sheane Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

With a couple of laps to go O'Connor began to wave his hands to officials trying to alert them to the oil layed down at the penultimate corner. He regained his momentum on the final lap to keep a cushion over Roddy to take the chequered flag. Another win for the Wicklow man in Mondello but one which was not as easy as it looked. 

" I got a good start and pulled a small gap on Derek and Philip but towards the end there was a lot of oil down so I slowed a bit. I could see Derek closing so I pushed again on the last lap and held on for the win. It was all thanks to Brendan Carr loaning me the car for the weekend other than that I wouldn't be out. I'm happy to get the win." 

Buncrana Man Kelly Takes Maiden Selco.ie Formula Vee Win At Round 3

Jordan Kelly hold up the winning trophy after taking his maiden win during round 3 of the 2021 Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Mondello Park again held a double header for the rounds three and four of the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship. The Kildare circuit looking particularly well in the glorious in the sweltering summer sunshine. It did lend itself to the much welcomed spectators that were at long last allowed into see the action after almost two years, but it made life harder for the drivers who already have to put up with high temperatures inside the cockpit of their cars. 

Still being in the early stages of the season it's still anyone's for the taking but another couple of strong points positions for those who scored well last time out would put pressure on the rest who didn't. This meeting the drivers would be on the international circuit were there would be a few more overtaking opportunities than the national circuit. Qualifying would be key but unless a good start is made it can be for nothing, as proved with Cross and Reade last time out. A great grid of twenty six  cars lined up for qualifying. 

Jordan Kelly, on his way to taking pole position. Photo: Barry Cregg.

The hot weather really was not a friend to the VW engine cars as the air cooled power units don't like hot conditions but it was the same for everyone though but going hell for leather for the entire qualifying session would not help the hard worked tyres either. Jordan Kelly put in his best time in on his third lap and it wasn't bettered to give the Donegal man his first pole position. That said it was only by 9 thousands of a second over Anthony Cross. So really nothing in it up front but the ever improving Kelly would be hard to beat. 

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads the field at the start or the race. Photo:Barry Cregg.

Speaking after qualifying Kelly had a plan for the race." I'm happy with that, we had a misfire at the last round so we changed a few things and it's running well now so I just want to get out of the first turn in first and get the head down and make a gap to the rest." 

Tim Murray, Sheane, leads, Gavin Buckley, Sheane, and Dan Polley, Sheane, on his way to third place. Photo: Barry Cregg.

When the lights went out both front row men got away well but Cross used his experience to take the lead on the outside of turn one. Kelly tucked in behind with Tim Murray and Gavin Buckley behind him. Going into turn 7 Cross slowed on seeing oil and let Kelly to go by. It would prove costly to Cross as Kelly unaware of the oil for several laps made the brake from the pack and built a lead. Behind the front two Dan Polley had a coming together with Buckley dropped him back to fifth and dropping Buckley to fourteenth. Tim Murray held third and Jack Byrne moved up to fourth gaining from the Buckley and Polley tangle. 

Anthony Cross, Sheane, on his way to finishing second during the race. Photo: Barry Cregg

By lap four Murray made his move and got by Cross showing his best performance in recent times. This allowed Byrne, Polley and Trevor Delaney to make it a five car train for second. This played right into the hands of the leader Kelly who just extended his lead further. Taking the final corner a lap later Cross was back up to second getting by Murray on the inside, even though he was still too far back to challenge for the lead as Kelly was way out in the distance with a 2.5 second lead which is rare for Formula Vee. 

Jack Byrne, Sheane, leads Dan Polley, Sheane, during the race. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Then back markers began to come into play along with waved yellow flags causing Kelly to slow and unable to pass allowing Cross to close in. Thankfully though for Kelly it came on the last lap and his hard work in the early part of the race paid off, as he had enough in hand to take his maiden national victory.  Tim Murray came home in third and top scorer in the 'B' championship. Polley got the better of Bynre to take fourth. 

Jordan Kelly, on his way to winning round 3 and his maiden win in Formula Vee. Photo: Barry Cregg.

A thoroughly deserved win and to finally get it after coming so close last season in Kirkistown. It is also a deserving win for a driver who has with his brother Owen the longest journey to any venues on the calendar with a four hour drive to Mondello Park alone. Smiling after the race he said " I'm glad to get the first one out of the way anyway. I didn't realise there was oil down for a while and Anthony slowed and let me by, I just put my head down and tried to get a gap on them behind. Then at the end I caught back markers and I couldn't pass as there was yellow flags out and I could see Anthony in my mirrors getting closer. I also missed a gear in turn two and thought the box was gone but thankfully I had enough in hand to take the win."

Jordan Kelly, on his way to winning round 3 and his maiden win in Formula Vee. Photo: Barry Cregg.