Melia and Flynn Take the Spoils In TyreDoctor.ie and PrecisionWorks Engineering / VW Spares Ltd Championships - Formula VEE

Above: Conor Meila with his trophy after winning the 'B' race.
Below: Lee Flynn with his trophy after winning the 'Rookie' race. Pitcures: Barry Cregg.

A wet and cold start to the third round of the TyreDoctor.ie and PrecisionWorks Engineering / VW Spares Ltd Formula Vee championship contenders on Saturday. Kirkistown Racing Circuit was the venue located south of Belfast along the Ards peninsula. The popular northern track can provide some great racing with slip stream style young racing due to the long straights but this time with the wet conditions on a newly surfaced track it would be a job to stay on it at all. Testing on Friday was also wet so the crews got the setups done well in time for qualifying on Saturday morning. 

Conor Melia, Sheane, leads Fergal Begley, Sheane, and Eamonn Thornton, Leastone, during the  TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Despite the conditions Eamonn Thornton, Conor Melia, Fergal Begley and Lee Flynn really upped their game and put in some quick times to put themselves right in the mix the with 'A' championship runners. So for the combined B/C championships race Eamonn Thornton lined up on pole position his best qualifying to date, and ahead of Conor Melia. Fergal Begley and Lee Flynn lined up on row two so it would be a close battle if the previous race in Mondello was to go by. The wet and greasy conditions would also have an effect and needed to be treated carefully. A heavy mist came down as the rolled up to the line and as the lights went out it was Melia who got the best start and lead the field away to turn one. Begley also got a flyer and moved into second demoting Thornton to third. 

By the end of the first lap it remained the same but all were nose to tail so anything could happen and still very early days. Begley tried to take the lead on the inside of turn one but had to back out but still kept enough momentum to try a move on the outside of turn two. However it ended in a spin and all hopes of victory gone. This left Melia and Thornton to battle it out at the front and both men from Lucan in Dublin had similar pace so it would who had the nerve to try a move in the tricky and slippery conditions. 

Conor Melia, Sheane, leads and Eamonn Thornton, Leastone, during the  TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race.
Picture: Barry Cregg.

In the Rookie championship race Lee Flynn and Brian Cowan were having a right scrap nose to tail from the off with Cowan holding the lead on the opening lap but a brilliant outside line move at turn one saw Flynn take the lead. Once there he started to break clear and made inroads to the 'B' runners ahead.

Up front Melia had his work cut out holding Thornton off and a move down the inside at turn one saw Thornton take the lead. A slide on the exit of turn three saw Melia loose ground over the next couple of laps but not enough to loose the crucial toe. Two laps later and a better exit from the chicane saw both men side by side down the back straight. It looked as if Melia had it at the hairpin but Thornton drew alongside down the main straight and held the lead but only just. This was another cracker at Kirkistown despite the bad weather. Niall O'Mara was lying comfortably in third and on for some good points but ran wide on the exit of turn 3 and hit the barrier but luckily managed to get back going but dropped down the field. More points lost as in Mondello. Surely his luck will have to change soon. 

Eamonn Thornton, Leastone, leads Conor Melia, Sheane, during the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race.
Picture: Barry Cregg.

Niall O'Mara, Leastone, leads Andy Keogh, Sheane, during the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race.
Picture: Barry Cregg.

Back at the head of the field Thornton again made a gap on Melia but lost it overtaking the struggling O'Mara which lead to Melia getting on his tail again and despite his best efforts to get by at the hairpin each lap he lost his advantage on the exit and could not make the move stick down the main straight. With laps running out it would have to work or find a new spot to take the lead. With a two laps to go he pulled it off and bravely held it round the outside of turn one to stay in the lead. His pace trough the chicane helped him pull enough of a gap to prevent a move by Thornton down the back straight but there was still a lap to go. 

Our rookie leader Flynn had now made his way up to fifth place overall passing 'B' runners Fergal Begley and Colin Lewis in the process. A great run for the Waterford man and he nearly got fourth but sadly for him he ran out of laps and Ger Byrne survived the pressure he came under in closing stages.

Lee Flynn, Leastone, during the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Lee Flynn, Leastone, leads Aaron Murray, Sheane, during the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race.
Picture: Barry Cregg.

All eyes were on first and second however as they raced to the hairpin for the final time. An side move by Thornton ended in a spin and luckily it didn't end with a collision with Melia. It did end his chances of victory though but luckily he still had enough over third place man Andy Keogh to keep himself in second. It left Melia to take the chequered flag with ease. It was the only point in the whole race he could do anything with ease. It was a great first championship victory for the Dubliner and also a great way to put the ghosts of the bad crash he had at the circuit last season to bed. Thornton came home in second, still a great result for him and Andy Keogh took third.

Andy Leogh, Sheane, during the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race. Picture: Barry Cregg.

A delighted winner after the race explained how it went " It's great to finally get my first win after all that happened last year here. It was hard the weather made the track so slippy in places it was like ice. Eamonn and myself had a great battle so fair play to him it was great fun. Hopefully I can do it at Bishopscourt next time out."

In the rookie class Flynn just missed out on gaining a fifth place but was well clear of Brian Cown in second with James Lawless in third.

James Lawless, Leastone, leads Sean Slevin, Leastone, during the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race.
Picture: Barry Cregg.

Brian Cowan, Sheane, leads Fergal Begley, Sheane, during the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race.
Picture: Barry Cregg.

Conor Melia with girlfiend Dori after the TyreDoctor.ie 'B' race.
Picture: Barry Cregg.

Results:

TyreDoctor.ie 'B' Championship

1st Conor Melia

2nd Eamonn Thornton

3rd Andy Keogh

PrecisionWorks Ltd ' Rookie' Championship

1st Lee Flynn

2nd Brian Cowan

3rd James Lawless

Double Tops For Buckley In Season Opener - Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship

06-April-2025: Gavin Buckley, left, Sheane, leads Colm Blackburn, Leastone, right, during the first race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

The Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship kicked off in Mondello Park on Sunday. The weather was perfect for racing around the 1.8km county Kildare circuit. With track resurfacing done in a couple of areas of the track over the winter lap times were expected to drop and a new lap record possibly on the cards.

2024 champion Gavin Buckley would be the favourite for the days two races with Colm Blackburn being the closest challenger to him this weekend. Jack Byrne, last years runner up, missed this meeting as his wife Michelle gave birth to a baby girl on Friday morning but  will be at the next round of the series. A massive congratulations to them both on the new arrival baby Eabha.

06-April-2025: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, on his way to pole postion for the days two races. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Buckley did as expected and put it on pole but not from his main national class rivals. Niall O'Mara who is only in his third season of racing, had a great qualifying and put his SM Racing Leastone on the front row. His pace had gotten much quicker towards the end of last year, but to put it on the front race at the first meeting of the season is a solid effort. For race one Buckley got the best start and lead them into turn one with with Blackburn behind. Niall O'Mara didn't get away well a dropped a couple of positions down the field. The front two didn't waste time in breaking away from the field on the opening laps. Blackburn made his move on the final corner to take the lead but Buckley got a better exit and powered back past down towards turn one and retook the lead. A bad exit by Blackburn out of turn one helped Buckley open a gap and over the following laps built on it. Behind the front two Niall O'Mara began to make his way through the field having a great battle with Sean McClements, Conor Melia and Fergal Begley. McClements closed in on second place man Blackburn but ran wide on the exit of turn three dropping him back to the chasing back lead by O'Mara.

06-April-2025: Niall O'Mara, Leastone, leads Conor Melia, Sheane, during the first race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

06-April-2025: Trevor Delaney, Sheane, leads Robert Flemming, left, Sheane, and James Kent, right, Sheane, right, during the first race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

06-April-2025: Sean McClements, Sheane, leads Niall O'Mara, Leastone, right, during the first race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Trevor Delaney who started at the back of the grid was carving his way through the field and was up to ninth by the end of lap 5. O'Mara tried a late move on McClements into turn one and very nearly took both men out but luckily managed to hold it together to remain in fourth. He tried again into the esses but could not find a way by. It was a great battle to watch but it was letting Conor Melia close in but now Delaney was up to sixth and closing in fast. By lap seven it was a four car train for third. Delaney got up to fifth after Melia ran wide in the middle of the esses and closed in on O'Mara. A lap later he was past after a great move at the final corner. He tried an outside move at the same corner a lap later but while it didn't come off he got great drive down the main straight and was past before turn one and into third. This was certainly the drive of the race. He would have given Buckley a fight for the win if he had started from his qualifying position. 

06-April-2025: Fergal Begley, Sheane, leads Sean McClements, Sheane, during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

06-April-2025: Eamonn Thornton, Leastone, leads Sean McClements, Sheane, during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Buckley was way out in front and just counting down the laps to the chequered flag as to was Blackburn in second. Melia lost two places to Fergal Begley and Eamonn Thornton and with a couple of laps to go it would be hard to get them back. Sadly a clash of wheels at turn one between O'Mara and Begley saw the end of O'Mara's race as he got lifted up and spun into the grass damaging the car. A shame for what was a good race for the Tipperary man. 

It was however the reigning champion Buckley who showed them all the way home in a dominant drive from lights to flag. Colm Blackburn had a solid but lonely race to come home second and rounding out the podium was Trevor Delaney who had the most interesting race out of all the drivers.

06-April-2025: Andy Keogh, Sheane, during qualifying. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.-

06-April-2025: Conor Melia, Sheane, leads Sean McClements, Sheane, during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

For race two of the day it was again Buckley on pole from Conor Melia in second. Just like race one he got the best start and lead the field into turn one. Melia held second from a hard charging Eamon Thornton who was showing great pace. Once again Trevor Delaney had to start at the back of the grid but was not long making his way through the field in the opening laps. Sean McClements was into fourth ahead of Begley. McClements driving like a veteran even if he is in his first year of racing cars. A lap later Delaney was up to fifth and closing in on fourth place man McClements. He made a move down the inside at the final corner and took fourth but on the exit they collided and ended up spinning into the pit wall heavily. with the car to damaged to move the red flags were brought out. Thankfully Delaney was unhurt but his meeting was over. 

06-April-2025: Lee FLynn, Leastone, during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

06-April-2025: John Lawless, Leastone, during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

06-April-2025: Brian Cowan, Sheane, leads John Lawless, Leastone, Lee Flynn, Sheane, and James Kent, Sheane, during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

On the restart Buckley again got into the lead off the line from Melia, McClements and Thornton. Buckley had already built a comfortable lead over Melia who was having his best drive to date in second but the battle for third was heating up between McClements, Thornton and Begley. Thornton tried a move down the inside of the final corner on McClements but their wheels touched and McClements got flipped into the air and rolled into the gravel trap landing on his wheels. This brought out the red flags yet again and the race was declared a result. A shame as the battle for third was looking to be an entertaining one for the the onlookers.

So a short race two but thankfully nobody was hurt in the incidents. It was a perfect weekend for Buckley with two pole positions and two wins to start off his defence of the championship. It was great to see the mid field runners from last year up their pace and take podiums and high point placings in the season opener. It was great to see the close battles with the rookie drivers like Brian Cowan, John Lawless, Lee Flynn and Sean McClements right in the field having a good race with more experienced drivers. Hopefully the damaged cars of Delaney and McClements can be repaired in time for the next round in Kirkistown in 3 weeks time. It will be a very different test for them as the speeds will increase and the slipstream racing on the long straights of the northern track. 

06-April-2025: Colm Blackburn, Leastone, during the first race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

06-April-2025: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

06-April-2025: Trevor Delaney's, Sheane, being brought back to the paddock after his crash during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

06-April-2025: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

06-April-2025: Gavin Buckley, Sheane, during the second race of the day. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Speaking after the race the double pole , victor and fastest lap man Buckley, was happy with how his day went, " You couldn't make it up, fantastic day, fantastic weather the new surface made it more drivable. You couldn't ask for a better start to a title defence."

Results:

Race 1

Selco.ie National Championship:

1 - Gavin Buckley 

2 - Colm Blackburn 

3 - Trevor Delaney 

TyreDoctor.ie B Championship:

1 - Fergal Begley 

2 - Conor Melia 

3 - Eamonn Thornton 

PrecisionWorks Rookie Championship:

1 - Lee Flynn 

2 - Brian Cowan 

3 - John Lawless

Race 2

Selco.ie National Championship:

1 - Gavin Buckley 

2 - Conor Melia

3 - Eamonn Thornton 

TyreDoctor.ie B Championship:

1 - Conor Melia 

2 - Eamonn Thornton 

3 - Fergal Begley 

PrecisionWorks Rookie Championship:

1 - Sean McClements 

2 - Lee Flynn 

3 - Brian Cowan

A Tribute To AL Caffrey

Sometimes when you hear the phone ring you just know something not good is up and today I got such a call. I was not expecting the sad news that came with it. Sadly the call I received was from John Whitley to tell me that Al Caffrey a man I have known for over 30 years had passed away. I knew Al had not been in great health the past few years but to hear he had gone was still a shock.

Al Caffrey was a gentleman. His big smile and hearty welcome as he shook your hand when he greeted you, would set you up for the day. I got to know him simply from going to motorsport events in Mondello Park and motorcycle road races all over the country where he marshalled for over 40 years, always ready with his flag in hand. Over time myself and my parents got to know Al quite well and if there was an instance where we didn't see him at an event we would question if all was ok? It was usually the case he was just marshalling at a post future around the track from his usual one. He was such a nice man that you would genuinely be thinking of his wellbeing. 

Once you met him at an event Al was eager to have a chat about how the races would go, who would win or why such a competitor was not racing, but all would be separated with a laugh or a joke about something. Always prepared with his flask of tea and lunch at hand he took his job of marshalling seriously once a race would start, then it was back to the chat when it ended and before the next one began.

A lover of the Isle of man TT races he would travel religiously with his good friend Frank and their tent would be pitched at the campsite at the Hillberry section of the famous course. One year while over at the TT, I met Al and Frank at Hillberry corner as racing had finished due to bad weather. Such was his friendly nature and manner to the passers by he unexpectedly became the races news reporter. As everyone started coming up to him to ask when the races were being rescheduled. He got a great kick out of this and laughed every time it happened!

Al was also a great soccer fan and a great supporter of Shamrock Rovers and went to their games for years with his green and white scarf in hand. Sadly his health began to fail and this prevented him from travelling to matches and motor races and was unable to do his love of marshalling again. He has been missed around the paddocks north and south of the border since this time, by so many that knew him. I often thought when out on the banks at Mondello  while photographing the races how many chats I would have had with him. 

As I said earlier he was a gentleman and the fact that I was lucky enough to have got to know him was a privilege. He was from a generation of people who sadly you seem to meet less today where they would happily make time to talk to an 11 year old with his parents at a race each time he saw them, and included them in the conversation like he did when I first met him all those years ago. 

One of my abiding memories of Al was one of the last times I saw him some years ago at Kells Road Races where he was spectating with his good friend John Whitley and seeing him cheer on Ryan Farquhar in a thrilling superbike race he was in with Guy Martin. With the arm out waving as they went by you could see the joy the race was bringing him. He saw many a good race over the years and I'm sure he will be looking down on many more to come.

To his sons Joe and Sean and daughter Mona and all his family I send my sincere condolences. Your dad was one of a kind!