Irish Formula Vee - Very Close Racing (check the pic)

av8rirl · 30 Mar 2009, 00:40 (Ref:2428560)

Yesterday, at Kirkistown, saw probably the best Vee race in a long long time. Racing was very close with the top 3 being separated by just 0.08s at the line (I think the top 5 all crossed the line within 1s of eachother). Racing was very tough but clean. Trevor Delaney, Stephen Kershaw, Brian Kelly and David O Brien all led at different stages. Robbie Allen had a great race from the back of the grid to finish 5th.

The final result was as follows:
1. Dave O Brien
2. Stephen Kershaw
3. Brian Kelly
4. Trevor Delaney
5. Robbie Allen
6. Dan Polley

O Brien took the lead on the very last corner from Kershaw who had led for the previous 4 laps.

I had the following photo on my camera and thought I'd post it to show just how close the racing was. You can see Trevor Delaney (66), Brian Kelly (the red car) and Robbie Allen (the green car). What you will struggle to see is that David O Brien is between Delaney and Kelly. You will also struggle to see Kershaw right behind Kelly. If you don't believe me, check out the number of wheels and roll hoops. It was this close all race.

Burnsie · 30 Mar 2009, 00:46 (Ref:2428565)

The Vee race was undoubtedly the most entertaining race of the day, and one of the best races that I've seen in quite a while. I was on post at Debtors, and the cars were wheel-to-wheel past me, lap after lap. As you already pointed out, the racing was very clean with no incidents to speak of. Hats off to all involved.

Peter Dunne · 30 Mar 2009, 08:15 (Ref:2428758)

I still say they should only race on Wednesdays

av8rirl · 30 Mar 2009, 14:29 (Ref:2429030)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Dunne

I still say they should only race on Wednesdays

And even on Wednesdays.... they'd provide more racing than most of the other classes!!

Peter Dunne · 31 Mar 2009, 09:43 (Ref:2429629)

Quote:

Originally Posted by av8rirl

And even on Wednesdays.... they'd provide more racing than most of the other classes!!

Touché mon ami!

You out this year?

av8rirl · 31 Mar 2009, 10:33 (Ref:2429657)

The simple answer is "not at the moment". The car wasn't going to be ready for the first race for a few reasons, so I got the hump with it... then got it all together in the last week...

But after all that and still having the hump, I gave it to Stephen Kershaw (who had a prob with his new car in testing) to race for the first couple of races. With the results he's getting, I'm reluctant to take it back.

So from the next round I'm going to test his new car to get it on the pace... and then probably do some races in it! Maybe starting with the Mondello round before Angelsey. Altho we do have someone that wants to hire it from that race onwards.... so time will tell!

And having said all of that... if there are any old model Leastones out there looking to be offloaded... I'm in the market!

Peter Dunne · 2 Apr 2009, 11:40 (Ref:2431292)

Quote:

Originally Posted by av8rirl

The simple answer is "not at the moment". The car wasn't going to be ready for the first race for a few reasons, so I got the hump with it... then got it all together in the last week...

But after all that and still having the hump, I gave it to Stephen Kershaw (who had a prob with his new car in testing) to race for the first couple of races. With the results he's getting, I'm reluctant to take it back.

So from the next round I'm going to test his new car to get it on the pace... and then probably do some races in it! Maybe starting with the Mondello round before Angelsey. Altho we do have someone that wants to hire it from that race onwards.... so time will tell!

And having said all of that... if there are any old model Leastones out there looking to be offloaded... I'm in the market!

Looks like you have an awful lot of options there!

Makes me tired just reading it

What kind of grid numbers are the Vees getting so far this year?

Our first outing is April 12th and so far we only have 4/5 entries

Jennifer_ni · 30 Mar 2009, 13:14 (Ref:2428982)

Best race i have seen for a long long time! I was marshaling on colonial and was convinced every lap that it was all going to end in tears. Full credit to all the guys for such a clean race.

Peter Dunne · 2 Apr 2009, 12:54 (Ref:2431353)

What worries me most is that with all this recession carry on, entire meetings are in doubt as happened in Mondello at the weekend

av8rirl · 2 Apr 2009, 13:03 (Ref:2431359)

Maybe time for a consolidation of classes and an effort by the organising clubs to have one race for each class on each race card ie cut down the number of meetings by allowing each class to race on the same day. If classes such as Uno/(older) Punto can't get a decent grid, then merge it with Punto Abarth. Same for Sheane Rover and Libre or Sheane Rover and FF1600 or Libre and FF1600 (not singling any of them out but you get the idea).

It might sound controversial but I watched the start of the last "race" at Kirky last weekend and there were only 3 starters.... and that was down to 2 after the first lap...

It might also be time for Mondello/Kirky (or whoever) to start looking at grid numbers and charge accordingly... why should a full grid of Vee's be charged the same price for the same amount of track time as a class that can only put 5 or 6 cars on a grid?

Also time to realise that the Park will be a non-runner!

Peter Dunne · 2 Apr 2009, 13:20 (Ref:2431372)

Quote:

Originally Posted by av8rirl

Maybe time for a consolidation of classes and an effort by the organising clubs to have one race for each class on each race card ie cut down the number of meetings by allowing each class to race on the same day. If classes such as Uno/(older) Punto can't get a decent grid, then merge it with Punto Abarth. Same for Sheane Rover and Libre or Sheane Rover and FF1600 or Libre and FF1600 (not singling any of them out but you get the idea).

Agreed. I know some people love the idea of two races in one day, but I have to say, that in a country where motorsport is a minority sport, it never made sense to me as to why the "show" was watered down by only having half the classes racing on any given weekend. And as you say, amalgamate some classes that have similarities.

Quote:

It might also be time for Mondello/Kirky (or whoever) to start looking at grid numbers and charge accordingly... why should a full grid of Vee's be charged the same price for the same amount of track time as a class that can only put 5 or 6 cars on a grid?

I have an interesting e mail from John Morris that outlines all the costs incurred by Mondello when running a meeting. I don't want to post it here, but if you haven't seen it, I can e mail it to you.

av8rirl · 2 Apr 2009, 13:34 (Ref:2431393)

I'll PM you my email address and you can forward it.

Also just want to point out that I'm not having a go at any class or any organiser. Just suggesting that its time everyone has a look at ways to reduce the costs and increase the value for both the organiser and drivers.

I was looking over an old thread that I started (Dec 2006) about the promotion of Formula Vee and it seems that grids have reduced to where I said they might... if only I could have predicted the same about stocks and shares at the same time.... I'd be sponsoring Vee's now with free racing!

Peter Dunne · 2 Apr 2009, 13:47 (Ref:2431408)

Quote:

Originally Posted by av8rirl

I'll PM you my email address and you can forward it.

Done!

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