It has been a very long time since a race meeting was abandoned, due to bad weather, at Kirkistown. Unfortunately, such was the case on Saturday afternoon. All qualifying sessions and the first five races were run but by then poor visibility and standing water on the track made safe racing impossible.
The first race was for Formula Vee and, in hindsight, this was for the famous Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy. Unusually for this class, a driver led from start to finish and that was Conor Melia, from Lucan. He finished 2.12 seconds ahead of what had been a Titanic battle between Kieran Hannan, from Dublin, and Andy Keogh, from Saggart. Hannan secured second place by 0.123 of a second! Thus, Conor Melia is the Emerson Fittipaldy Trophy winner and he also won a new set of race tyres from Bill Adair Motorsport Tyres in Omagh.
The second race saw a return of the Austin Sevens, who raced at the June meeting. As expected, the “Ulsters” dominated, with Belfast driver, Paul Armstrong, taking the win from Holywood driver, Simon Brien. Bangor’s Ali Carver, took his “Alternative Ulster” to third place. The first of the Chummies was driven by Andy Storer, from Newark. Second in that “class’ was George Johnson, from Killinchy. Third was Charlotte De Montmorency Wright, from Exeter.
The Kirkistown Mini Coopers and Kirkistown Fiestas were up next. A race long battle ensued in the Minis between the Stewart brothers, Mark and Paul, from Belfast, and Darren Gilmore, from Lisnaskea. Stephen Potter, from Bangor, and Ryan Hogg, from Newtownards, were initially in that mix but, gradually, the other three pulled a lead. Having led on three previous occasions, Paul Stewart finally made a move on Darren Gilmore stick on lap 7. He would not be headed again. However, now Gilmore had to deal with Mark Stewart, who also got past. On the tenth tour, Gilmore got back to second place and held it to the end.
The Fiestas provided a slow-burn but interesting race. Aidan Mulready, from New York, shot off into a large lead. Banbridge driver, Neville Anderson and Derry driver, Grace McCallion had a coming together on the first lap. McCallion’s car sustained frontal damage, including a water leak, which would eventually lead to a blown engine. Anderson slowly reeled in Mulready, driving well in the poor conditions. However, time was running out. On the last lap, at Maguire’s Hairpin, the two cars connected. Mulready had to correct his steering to avoid a spin and they raced to the line, with Anderson crossing first by 0.044 of a second!
The weather continued to deteriorate and by the time the Modi-5-Cup Mazdas raced there was considerable standing water on the track. Dundalk driver Damian Moran shot off into a substantial lead, aided by being the only car not driving into spray. By the third lap, Moira driver, Francie Allen, had come from sixth to second but Dundonald driver, Craig Ewing, was rapidly rising through the field from eight place. On lap four he passed Allen and set off after Moran. Warrenpoint man, Paul McAlinden, started at the back of the grid. By lap three he was in sixth position and rising. On the nineth lap he relieved Allen of third place and was closing on Moran and Ewing. On the final lap, Ewing passed Moran for the lead. Moran held second and McAlinden third. 1.815 of a second covered all three!
The Libre Saloons and GTs race took place in atrocious conditions. Derry driver, Gavin Kilkey, splashed his way to victory. Belfast driver, Barney Casement, was second on the road and winner of the GTs. Cookstown driver, Matthew McCord, was third on the road. There were no other finishers.
Following a delay waiting for the rain to abate, during which it got more intense, the organisers wisely decided to abandon proceedings on the grounds of safety.
The 2025 champions are;
Formula Ford 1600 Ronan Doherty
from Dunloy
Kirkistown Fiestas Aidan Mulready from New York
Kirkistown Mini Coopers Taylor Frizzell from Ballyclare
Modi-5-Cup for Mazdas Craig Ewing from Dundonald
Libre Saloons Gavin Kilkey from Londonderry
GTs Matthew McCord from Cookstown
Roadsports Mike Ward from Youghall
250 Superkarts King of Kirkistown Aaron Newell from Ballygowan
125 Superkarts Prince of Kirkistown Scott Greenaway from Armagh
