There was rain, hail, sunshine and plenty of drama for Kirkistown’s opening meeting of the year. But the changeable weather did not prevent the ‘2025’ Martin Donnelly Trophy from finally being held after last September’s monsoon-hit original attempt was abandoned.
Before the trophy race, the first Formula Ford 1600 contest proved that, though out of fashion these days, the category can still produce memorable racing, with a three-car scrap for the lead right from the start.
Ronan Doherty (Van Diemen RF00), Morgan Quinn (RF99), and poleman Jordan Dempsey (Medina) set to with a will when the lights went out, closely pursued by ‘new boy’ 16-year-old Ben Smith (Ray), who was enjoying his first-ever car race and trading times with the leading trio as he clawed his way ever closer.
Things came to an early halt, however, when Doherty – who had been off-piste to drop outside of the top group – came up to pass a midfield bunch, along with Dave Parks (Reynard), who was recovering from an adventure of his own. Somewhere in the Colonial section, the pair made contact and vanished into the outfield swamp, which ultimately produced the first red flags of the day. Smith celebrated his first race with a strong third behind Dempsey and Quinn. Less than one second covered the top three when the flags flew after just 10 of the planned 15 minutes. Pre-’90 honours fell to Alan Davidson (Mondiale) ahead of Philip Harris in a similar car.
The second race, for the ‘Donnelly’, lasted longer and again featured the same names at the front. Dempsey again held sway, but not before an altercation with Quinn sent the latter off course and down the order. Smith again starred and was battling with Doherty and Dempsey when an accidental moment sent the Ray into the Colonial swamp with broken steering, while Doherty went on to finish just 0.5s down on Dempsey when the inevitable red flags flew. Third went to Parks, whose ageing Reynard also took Pre-’90 honours.
Looking ahead, the Martin Donnelly Trophy will be back to its usual September date later this year, weather and global events permitting…
Jackson was among the winners in entertaining Legends bouts
Photo by: Jimmy Graham
Elsewhere in a packed programme, Irish Legends had three races, all close-fought and eventful. Scott Jackson won the first from Jamie Moylan and German teenager Nico Franke. Moylan then topped races two and three from Jackson and Willie Lawrence, and Franke and James Byrne respectively.
Former sim racer Sean McClements stamped his authority in Formula Vee, winning twice – the first time for categories ‘B’ and ‘C’, defeating Lee Flynn and Niall O’Mara. More impressive was his victory in the second race, which also included Class ‘A’, especially when he won from the experienced Gavin Buckley and Sean McCallion.
Other double winners were Craig Ewing in Mazda MX-5s and Travis Mawhinney among the Fiestas. The Mini Coopers, who shared track time with the Fiestas, ended with Craig Gilmore and brother Darren ahead in the first encounter, while Taylor Frizzell took an incident-packed race two from Mark Stewart and Darren Gilmore.
Jim Larkham scored his usual Radical victory in the Roadsports opener from Mike Ward in his similar car and Arnie Black’s Crossle third. However, race-two problems for Larkham opened the door for Ward to win from Black. Honours were shared among the Global Lights, which ran concurrently, between Peter Drennan and Cameron Fenton.
Drennan and Fenton shared the Global GT Lights spoils
Photo by: Jimmy Graham
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– The Autosport.com Team
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