Selco Formula Vee Championship Rounds 1 & 2

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads the field into turn one during race one. Photo: Barry Cregg

At long last the tedious wait was finally over for competitors as the 2020 Selco.ie Formula Vee championships got underway at Mondello Park yesterday. A very healthy grid of 24 cars lined up for the season opener, a much needed boost to the class which saw numbers begin to dwindle last season. Ten newcomers to the grid would make the 'Star of Tomorrow' championship one of the most openly contested classes on the tracks this year. 

A general view of Formula Vees in action. Photo: Barry Cregg.

One of these newcomers was Ronan Waters from Wexford. Who along with his team of mechanics, although only one was left to do the work while the rest looked on, was eager to get out on track. 

" Im looking forward to it and should be a bit of craic and sure we'll see how it goes." 

It was great to see the group of men get together in helping a young driver in his first race and showcase what Formula Vee is all about. 

Another two of the newcomers were Colm O'Loughlen and Michael O'Callaghan. Both natives of Kerry it was a life's ambition for the two to go motor racing and now the opportunity was there to do it said Colm. " I never raced anything before but I have always been into cars and only now have I had a chance to get into doing it. I'm looking forward to it and it will be fun." Michael agreed, " I'm the same the chance came up to do it and I said I might aswell. Although after the first test session I was getting dizzy" he laughed.

Anthony Cross, Sheane, on his way to claiming pole position for the days races. Photo: Barry Cregg.

With the weather forecast not looking great for the afternoon, qualifying would be crucial in the morning. Thankfully the rain stayed away for qualifying and just like last season Anthony Cross in his Sheane began to top the timesheets. He would stay there until the end as for most of the session he was four tenths up on the field. Then in the dying moments Gavin Buckley got to within a tenth of second to Cross. Time ran out to go better but it was a good showing from Buckley who put in some good drives last year. Phillip Sheane also had a good qualifying and was up to second at one point but dropped to third. Apart from Cross the main favourites in Jack Byrne and Dan Polley who usually qualify in the top four had a bad session ending up in eighth and eleventh respectively. In fact it ended up a very close session with the first three cover by 0.135 of a second.The fastest newcomer was Michael O'Callaghan in a very good 13th place.

A general view of the large numbers of Formula Vees taking to the track for qualifying. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Thankfully the weather gods looked down on Mondello Park and kept the rain away for the afternoon. Where the two metre distance rule applied everywhere else in the county Kildare venue, it certainly did not once the lights went out to start race one. Buckley got the jump over Cross off the line but Cross held the inside line to lead him and the field around turn one. It didn't take Cross long to get into his stride and began to open a gap over Buckley who held his own over Tim Murray who made a great start to get himself into third. Cross started to open a gap on the field putting in consistent times to build his lead over the following three cars who now were firmly in the grips of a hard battle. Sheane overtook Murray going into the final corner and then lost his nose cone trying to get it back going into turn one. This gave Buckley room to breath for a while and also Trevor Delaney, Mark Reade and Dan Polley to get closer and join in the battle. Polley got ahead of Reade and started to show his form moving on to the back of Delaney. As this was going on the leader lost the gap he had built up and it became an eight car train for the lead. Coming out of turn three Murray and Sheane collided with murray coming off worse dropping down to 17th and Sheane down to 8th. This of course let the front two clear but also allowed Polley to get a move of Delaney to put him into third place. As the race began to come to a close Cross upped his pace to open up his lead again over Buckley as Polley chased in third. The race for fourth was between the three cars of Delaney, Reade and Byrne. It was Reade who won this battle to finish in fourth ahead of Byrne and Delaney. Up front it was Cross who continued from where he left off last year by taking the win from Buckley and Polley. 

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Gavin Buckley, Sheane, on his way to winning race one. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Speaking with the winner after the race he was glad to bag his first win " I missed a gear at paddock bend and dropped back towards Gavin but no real problems other than that. The track was very slick but im happy to get my first win of the year."

Timmy Murray, Sheane, battles with Philip Sheane, Sheane, before both went off the course during race one. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Dan Polley, Sheane, leads Trevor Delaney, Sheane, on his way to third place in race one. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Tim Murray, Sheane, has his second off during race one. Photo: Barry Cregg.

For race two it was Cross on pole with Philip Sheane lined up beside him this time. Sheane made the much better start off the line and headed the field into turn one. his lead was short lived as a number of cars came together in turn one which brought out the red flags. On the restart it was again Sheane who got the better start and lead going towards turn one but an accident just after the bridge between Robert Fleming, Dan Polley and Trevor Delaney brought out the red flags again. Thankfully nobody was hurt and the rescue services and marshals were on the scene instantly. 

A general view of the accident after the start of race two. Photo: Barry Cregg.

A general view of the accident after the start of race two. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Rescue personnel and track marshals attend the scene of the accident after the start of race two. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads the field into turn one during race one. Photo: Barry Cregg

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Philip Sheane, Sheane, into turn one during race two. Photo: Barry Cregg

The third time of asking was much less frantic as Cross made the better start and his best all day to get into the lead before turn one with Sheane in second and Buckley in third. Tim Murray and Jack Byrne battled for fourth until Mechanical problems but Byrne out after only a handful of laps. The field began to stretch out bar the front two, where a closely fought battle was brewing up nicely.

Lap after lap Sheane harassed and pressured Cross trying to pass on the outside into turns one and three several time to no avail. With Cross trying to hold off and take win number two of the day and Sheane trying to take his first ever Formula Vee win which he so nearly came to at the end of last year, it always had the chance of ending badly. That is what happened on the penultimate lap on the exit of the final corner. As Sheane got a better drive on the inside Cross came across to take his normal line but in doing so got collected by Sheane with both cars spinning off. This gave the lead to Buckley who must have thought Christmas had come early, and put Tim Murray up to third. Luckily for Cross he spun round in the right direction and got going enough to stay in second place. With a lap to go he had no time to try and regain the lead. Buckley remained calm to take his first Formula Vee win from Cross and Murray. 

Gavin Buckley, Sheane, on his way to taking his maiden Formula Vee victory in race two. Photo: Barry Cregg.

So an action packed weekend in Formula Vee has drawn to a close and after such a long wait for it to come round it certainly flew by. Sadly not all would be going home happy with the way their races went but some certainly will least of all Gavin Buckley who took his maiden win. Anthony Cross still remains the man to beat though but the pack are catching up. It was great to see a grid in a healthy state again and hopefully it continues for the rest of the year. Spare a thought for David Sheane the man who brought Formula Vee to Ireland and has made so many cars for drivers down through the years at this time and hopefully he makes a recovery soon and we will see him in the paddock again.

Results Race 1:                                

Selco.ie 'A' Championship

1st     Anthony Cross

2nd   Gavin Buckley

3rd    Dan Polley

VW Spares 'B' Championship

1st    Mark Reade

2nd   Philip Sheane

3rd    Ger Byrne

Motorsport.ie Star of Tomorrow 'C' Championship

1st    Ronan Waters

2nd   Michael Killian

3rd    James Sheppard

Results Race 2:

Selco.ie 'A' Championship

1st     Gavin Buckley

2nd    Anthony Cross

3rd    Tim Murray

VW Spares 'B' Championship

1st    Tim Murray

2nd   Mark Reade

3rd    Philip Sheane

Star of Tomorrow 'C' Championship

1st    Jordan Kelly

2nd   Karl O'Sullivan

3rd    Michael Killian

Formula Vee 2020 Preview

2019 Formula Vee  Champion Anthony Cross. Photo: Barry Cregg.

By this time last year the Selco.ie Formula Vee Championship was into the second half of the season with all championships still up for grabs. This coming weekend however, in Mondello Park will see the first round of the 2020 season. In what has been a very extraordinary and unprecedented year for everyone the world over, to see normality albeit in a new form, start to come back is a much welcomed sight. 

For motor racing fans here in Ireland this weekends meeting can't come quick enough. Cars have been stripped and rebuilt and even new ones made in the much extended off season and also a renewed interest in Formula Vee has occurred with  ten newcomers to the class this coming weekend alone and a possible six more to come as the season progresses! The announcement that this year's Star of Tomorrow championship winner who will receive a test in a Formula Renault and VW Spares sponsoring the 'B' championship has gone somewhat to help grow the grid.

Dan Polley, Sheane, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, during one of many battles last year. Photo: Barry Cregg.

A Formula Vee stalwart and former champion Dan Polley, who is always a front runner and last years main challenger to eventual title winner Anthony Cross has to be again considered as a title contender this year. I caught up with him to get his views on the season ahead and how the lockdown went for him. 

" We were all ready to go back in March, so it was weird for everything to be cancelled. In terms of the lockdown the kids kept me busy and it's probably safe to say I don't have a future as a school teacher! I've been keeping fit in our gym here at home and I'm ready to get out on track and have fun. I didn't do the test days as I was still cautious about going places. The car is the same as last year and I haven't driven a car in anger since September so I'll be rusty come Sunday morning!"

Jack Byrne, Sheane, lead races last year on his way to taking the 'B' championship. Photo:Barry Cregg

Another who has to be counted in the title hunt this year is Jack Byrne who not only dominated the 'B' championship last year, but also challenged for the win in quite a few main 'A' championship races. From speaking to him he has had quite a while to plan his attack for this years series. 

"I've had a pretty boring winter I rebuilt my engine after it got stripped at the end of the season and made a few tweaks to make sure it works properly and for it to be the best that it can be. I have had a very long lockdown as I am a school teacher and have been off since March but I've been helping in the family business Abbeylawn Garden Products so while I haven't been in my main job I've been flat out ever since! I had a very good year last year winning the 'B' Championship and finishing third in the 'A', learning a lot racing against Anthony which I hope to use this year to beat him. Either way I'm looking forward to going back racing with the help of  the Saltee Pub in Annacurra who have been great to come onboard again this year."

Paul Heavey, Leastone, rolled back the years winning the third round at Bishopscourt. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Last year's third round at Bishopscourt saw the longest Formula Vee servent Paul Heavey roll back the years to take the win. Heavey who builds his own cars under the Leastone banner has helped many over the years and this year is no different. He has built a new car for Mark Reade to campaign in this season. I wondered if he would be back out for another year and to try and grab another win. 

" I sold my car but built a new one for Mark Reade and I built a new 1000. I probably won't be racing this year, I had planned to do the Monoposto winter series in the UK but with Covid-19 I gave it a miss. The lockdown wasn't too bad plenty of time in the workshop keeping me out of trouble. "

Formula Vee racing visits three scenic circuits in Mondello Park, Bishopscourt and Kirkistown. Photo's: Barry Cregg.

The resurgence of the class has to welcomed with abundance and the hard work of class committee and Stephen and Michelle Morrin who lead the promotion of the class across social media in recent years, which has clearly paid off. The Morrin's are not just involved in running the class but also their own team in SM Racing. I caught up with Stephen just before the they loaded up for the weekend to see how all this new interest in the class came about and the team's plans for the year.

" The lockdown was a very quiet period for us. Nothing happened in the workshop at all for eight weeks. We had been ready to go in March so everything was parked. Since the start of June when restrictions started being lifted and we had draft calendar dates we've been back working and tested in Mondello on July 5th. We have 2 new drivers this season, Colm O'Loghlen and Michael O'Callaghan so they were delighted to get their first single seater action. Testing went well and we're now looking forward to the first race meeting of the season this weekend. On the class side numbers are very healthy this year which we are delighted about. Prior to the Covid outbreak we had about 16 new drivers looking to make their debut, and 10 of those guys will be racing this weekend. It will be the biggest influx of new drivers into Formula Vee for years. We're looking forward to a competitive season across all three of our championships."

Tim Murray leads Jack Byrne in his LOH Motorsport prepared car. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Another team also looking to get the title back and their drivers back to winning ways is the LOH Motorsport team who have multiple championships under their belt. Speaking to team manager Kevin O'Hara I asked if they can get back to winning ways and how the preparation side of the team has gone over the lockdown. " We have been really busy over the last number of months between rebuilding cars and building a new one which won't be out this weekend but it will be later in the season. We have Dan Polley and Robert Fleming with us again this year and hopefully we can be up at the front again."

Anthony Cross, Sheane, leads Dan Polley, Sheane, during one of many battles last year. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Paul Heavey, Leastone, leads Anthony Cross, Sheane, during round three at Bishopscourt. Photo: Barry Cregg.

So a new season with new drivers and sponsors and a much fuller grid seems to be a perfect recipe for a great days racing and championship opener this weekend. Hopefully the weather will be good too, if not it could add to the mix and help create some extra drama. It has been a long wait and I'm sure it will be worthwhile come Sunday evening when the opening races have come to an end. Will it be picking up from where he left off for Anthony Cross or will it be victory number one for Jack Byrne or even a major upset from one of the newcomers? Race reports from the weekend's action will be available next week.

Skerries 100 Road Races - A Look Back

The first weekend in July is one of my favourite weekends of the year and probably one which I look forward to most. There is only one place to be during that weekend and that is the Skerries 100 Road Races. Unfortunately due to this horrible Corona Virus this years races are not taking place.

Ever since my father took me to my first races when I was six i have been hooked on the event and I can still see a young Phillip McCallen in the paddock afterwards that year surrounded by his bikes and people wanting to get a look at the man who took a haul of wins that day. The paddock back then was in the cricket club which I still think it was the best place for one and miss it not being there even though it hasn't been used as the paddock for a long time. It meant the riders had to do an extra lap so the crowd got to see the winner celebrate a win. I even remember walking into the cricket club lounge where a rock band were playing a gig after the races. I didn't get to stay long as they weren't to dads taste!
Maybe his ears were still ringing from 'Bid D's ' days commentary!

I can still see the Adrian Archibald and the late Joey Dunlop walking together to the clubhouse after they had a belter of a race in the Grand Final in 1999 which Joey won after passing Archibald coming out of Sam's Tunnel another memory I still cherish to this day and one of the best races I have seen round the 2.92 mile triangled course. Sadly it was the last Joey would compete in. I still get the same excitement days coming up to the races as I did when I was kid. You have to make sure you pack the suncream with you too, as no matter if the rest of the island is under a downpour for some reason come raceday in Skerries, the sun shines down brightly. There are more red farmers tans got in that one day than a season in Benidorm and only a handful of times has it rained on race day.

Gillies leap is one of my favourite spots where I have spectated for many years and later photographed from as the riders get the front wheel in the air while trying not to hit the bank on the right. James Courtney was the best for wheelies there. Not much changes around that part of county Dublin, the fields still grow the same crops, some hedges have been cut down and a farmer's shed or two have been updated but that is about it. Its a track where spectators can get close to the action but still in a safe way. People give out about the admission price compared to other events but it is not a cheap event to put on and if you compare it to a round of drinks or takeaway it is small money for a days entertainment.

There have been great battles throughout all classes over the years and I have been lucky enough to see the likes of the Dunlop's, Phillip McCallen, James Courtney, Gary Dynes, Owen McNally, Jim Moodie, Johnny Rea, Keith Amor, Derek Shiels, Michael Sweeney, Derek McGee, Derek Young, Brian Reid, Fran Morrison, Ryan Farquhar, Adrian Archibald, Martin Finnegan, Cameron Donald and Darren Lindsay to name but a few race round the tight lanes in North County Dublin. Sadly there have been tragedies too but thankfully not that often with in recent years William Dunlop loosing his life two years ago and Dr, John Hinds five years ago. I have to admire the club and the people involved who keep the show on the road and lets hope the show continues for years to come. Here are a few images I have taken while at the races.