Formula Sheane hosted a grid of 14 cars with a couple of new faces making their debut in Formula Sheane which bodes well for the future, more later. The weather was quite simply fantastic for spectating even the garages were warm but would it be too hot for quick times ? There were reports from testing earlier in the week that the lap record was under threat. This in fact was not to be the case. There was a constant battle between oversteer and understeer as tyres went through the transition from cold to hot. So finding that compromise in suspension settings would be crucial. There was also the potential problem of having qualifying and two races in the one day. This is tough going for all competitors as one mistake could cost you the championship as time for repairs etc is just not available.
It was Brian Hearty, who with his wealth of experience, showed how it was done in qualifing. He took pole position by 0.614 of a second from Kevin Sheane and 1.037 seconds from Robbie Allen and 1.275 seconds from Barry Rabbitt. Was this going to be a Hearty "whitewash" weekend ? The Scholarship runners were not that far off the pace either so things were looking good for the usual Formula Sheane "two races in one race"
Race 1.
Hearty was on pole followed by Sheane, Allen, Rabbitt (started from pit lane), Eoin Crowley and David Parks . They are all quick and "demon" starters, however it was Kevin Sheane who made the best start and was into turn 1 in the lead a lead he was not to give up despite the efforts of Brian Hearty who was the quicker of the two. But clever defensive driving from Sheane enabled him to effectively steal the win from Hearty. 1.828 seconds separated the first 4 cars at the chequered flag. It should be noted that Barry Rabbitt who started from the pit lane made a storming rise through the field to finish 5th. Down through the field there were battles waged. John Linnane and Eoin Crowley had a great tussle, Gary Corcoran was in the "wars" but Jenifer Mullan was one who just kept her head down stayed out of trouble and scored her best finish so far. Aidan Byrne and Gilbert Clancy (the grey haired larger than life brigade) were both going well as was Brendan Carr who is getting to grips with his recently acquired Sheane. Then we have our "debutants" Mondello Race School winner of a season in a Formula Sheane Stephen O' Keeffe and Michael Sweeney both got involved in the banter and craic as well as seeking and getting advice from fellow drivers in an effort to improve and enjoy the experience of racing a Formula Sheane.
How it all finished.
1 K Sheane
2 B Hearty
3 R Allen
4 D Parks
5 B Rabbitt
6 J Linnane
7 E Crowley sc
8 G Corcoran sc
9 J Mullan sc
10 A Byrne sc
11 S O' Keeffe sc
12 G Clancy sc
13 B Carr sc
DNF M Sweeney sc
sc = Scolarship Championship
Race 2.
Hearty was on pole from Sheane,Allen and Rabbitt. Was this going to be a rerun of race 1. Well from the start you would have thought so as Sheane took the lead into turn one but was under serious pressure from Hearty. How long could Sheane defend from the quicker Hearty. The answer is until the third last lap when Hearty dived up the inside of Sheane into turn two, a move you would only try with a driver you respect and trust in case it all ended in tears. Allen pounced on the now off line Sheane to take second place putting Sheane from first to third in no more that a second. Meanwhile Rabbitt and Parks were having a massive race, Linnane and Corcoran, Byrne and Mullan were caught up in their own battles, O'Keeffe, Clancy and Carr brought up the rear. Michael Sweeney had a day to forget ! Hearty was to hold on to the lead to the finish but only by 0.291 of a second from Sheane who took second place from the stricken Allen who had a suspension problem.
How it all finished.
1 B Hearty
2 K Sheane
3 D Parks
4 B Rabbitt
5 G Corcoran sc
6 J Linnane
7 A Byrne sc
8 J Mullan sc
9 E Crowley sc
10 S O'Keeffe sc
11 G Clancy sc
12 S Carr sc
DNF R Allen (suspension)
DNF M Sweeney sc
sc = Scolarship Championship
We were treated to two absolutely fantastic races from Formula Sheane well done to all.
All the best until the next time,
Snr.
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