Chris Irwin and Martin Loughran made it an MV Racing one-two at Bishopscourt Airfield – round two of the Buggy Ireland Championship – with 4.9 seconds deciding the winner at the purpose built track.
Following a second-place finish at Kirkistown back in March, Irwin leads the five round championship that will now move to Enniskillen’s St Angelo Airport on July 27.
Casmat man Kevin Meenagh matched round one with another podium place, in third, 3.3 seconds from Loughran but place secured by 7.1 seconds and maximum D1 points.
Yacarcross Ireland Masters Trophy winner Jeremy O’Brien was fourth overall but only just – a mere 0.2 seconds ahead of lead Labase finisher Neil Leslie.
Lee Johnston joined the championship for the first time to finish sixth, 1.1 seconds ahead of fellow Speedcar entrant and Three One Solar Ltd D3 winner Philip Armstrong. Again close action was proven with Patrick McShane 0.4 seconds down the road.
Brendan McCartan moved up two places from Kirkistown to ninth, while Bailieborough’s Cormac McBreen said he was happy to “finally mix times with the big boys” at what was a “fast technical track”.
Not only did Irwin lift the overall win but the LDR Buggy Hire sponsored Pacesetter Trophy for fastest single run of the day.
RESULTS
1 Chris Irwin (MV Racing) 18m17.6s;
2 Martin Loughran (MV Racing) 18m22.5s;
3 Kevin Meenagh (Casmat) 18m25.8s;
4 Jeremey O’Brien (MV Racing) 18m32.9s;
5 Neil Leslie (Labase) 18m33.1s;
6 Lee Johnston (Speedcar) 18m34.4s;
7 Philip Armstrong (Speedcar) 18m35.5s;
8 Patrick McShane (Labase) 18m35.9s;
9 Brendan McCartan (MV Racing) 18m37.8s;
10 Cormac McBreen (Semog) 18m47.5s.
FASTEST IN CLASS…
D1 sponsored by Labase Ireland: Kevin Meenagh
D2 sponsored by Labase Ireland: Chris Irwin
D3 sponsored by Three One Solar Ltd: Philip Armstrong
Sponsored by Karcher Ireland | Three One Solar | Goldspeed – Riddell ATVs | Casmat UK & Ireland | MV Racing | Yaccarcross Ireland | Holeshot Racing | NeillPics | Labase Ireland | LDR Buggy Hire | WillPromotion | Gordon Automotive | Trailertek |
Words and Photos: WILLIAM NEILL/BUGGY IRL [Images must not be used in any way without prior written consent of the photographer]
