IT HAD been a long time since bad weather caused a race meeting to be abandoned at Kirkistown, but such was the case on Saturday.
All qualifying sessions and the first five races were run before poor visibility and standing water made safe racing impossible.
The opening Formula Vee race was, in hindsight, for the famous Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy. Unusually, one driver led throughout—Conor Melia, from Lucan. He finished 2.12 seconds ahead of a Titanic battle between Dublin’s Kieran Hannan and Saggart’s Andy Keogh, Hannan edging second by 0.123 of a second. Thus, Melia claimed the trophy and a new set of tyres from Bill Adair Motorsport in Omagh.
The Austin Sevens returned after their June outing. As expected, the Ulsters’ dominated, with Belfast’s Paul Armstrong winning from Holywood’s Simon Brien. Bangor’s Ali Carver took third with his ‘Alternative Ulster’.The first ‘Chummie’ home was Andy Storer, from Newark, ahead of Killinchy’s George Johnson and Exeter’s Charlotte De Montmorency Wright.
Next came the Kirkistown Minis and Fiestas. In the Minis, a fierce contest developed between Belfast brothers Mark and Paul Stewart and Lisnaskea’s Darren Gilmore. Initially joined by Bangor’s Stephen Potter and Newtownards’ Ryan Hogg, the leading trio pulled clear. Paul Stewart, having tried three times before, finally passed Gilmore on lap 7 and held on. Gilmore briefly lost second to Mark Stewart but reclaimed it on lap 10, finishing runner-up.
The Fiestas produced a slower-burning but dramatic race. New Yorker Aidan Mulready built a big lead while Banbridge’s Neville Anderson and Derry’s Grace McCallion tangled, the latter’s car suffering damage that led to engine failure. Anderson steadily closed on Mulready, and on the last lap at Maguire’s Hairpin the two touched. Mulready corrected a slide, but Anderson took the flag by 0.044 seconds.
By the Modi-5-Cup Mazda race, conditions were treacherous. Dundalk’s Damian Moran escaped into a clear lead while others battled through spray. Moira’s Francie Allen rose from sixth to second by lap three, but Dundonald’s Craig Ewing charged from eighth, passing Allen on lap four. Donacloney’s Chris Radcliffe aquaplaned into a spin at Maguire’s Hairpin but recovered to finish sixth. Warrenpoint’s Paul McAlinden stormed from the back to third by lap nine. On the final lap, Ewing passed Moran, who held second, with McAlinden close behind—just 1.815 seconds covered the trio.
The Libre Saloons and GTs ran in atrocious conditions. Derry’s Gavin Kilkey splashed to victory, with Belfast’s Barney Casement second overall and GT winner. Cookstown’s Matthew McCord took third, the only other finisher.
After a further delay, during which the rain worsened, the organisers wisely abandoned the meeting on safety grounds.
2025 CHAMPIONS
n Formula Ford 1600 Ronan Doherty, Dunloy
n Kirkistown Fiestas Aidan Mulready, New York
n Kirkistown Mini Coopers Taylor Frizzell, Ballyclare
n Modi-5-Cup for Mazdas Craig Ewing, Dundonald
n Libre Saloons Gavin Kilkey, Londonderry
n GTs Matthew McCord, Cookstown
n Roadsports Mike Ward, Youghall
n 250 Superkarts
King of Kirkistown Aaron Newell, Ballygowan
n 125 Superkarts
Prince of Kirkistown Scott Greenaway, Armagh
