The story so far……
The 2014 Micksgarage.com Formula Sheane Championship is nearly at its midway point of the season with the upcoming Rounds 5 & 6 at the Co. Down race circuit of Kirkistown. So far this season we have been privy to some, if not the best racing on Irish Circuits from the series. In the opening 4 rounds of 2014 campaign, the class has had 3 different race winners over 2 diverse circuits. The Master Brian Hearty claiming 2 of those wins with Vertical racings Robbie Allen and Dave Parks taking a win a piece at the most recent race’s at the Leinster Motor Club event held at Bishopscourt race circuit near Downpatrick N.I. Those races where held in some adverse weather conditions and in spite of that and a few other unforeseen circumstances the Formula Sheane Championship put on what was herald by the organisers and Autosport magazine as the racing of the weekend from both races but especially race 2 which had up to 6 cars for a brief period battling for the lead. This battle went down to the line eventually showing Dave Parks to have the nerve and determination to get his excellently prepared machine across the line followed closely by Brian Hearty and race 1 winner Robbie Allen in 3
rd.
The Co. Wicklow made machines now make the journey to the super quick Kirkistown race circuit. Current Championship holder Kevin Sheane will be more determined than ever to get his defence of the title back up and running after coming home with 2 DNF’s and a severely damaged car from Bishopscourt a few weeks ago, currently sitting 6th in the championship. The Master and current championship leader Brian Hearty, will be looking to add to his impressive haul of points this season managing to finish no lower than 2nd place so far, will this be Hearty’s year to take that illusive 10th career championship he so desperately chase’s?? Hot on his heels as ever is the super quick Donegal man of Robbie Allen. Allen is a proven race winner and championship contender leading it in years gone past and having to settle for 3rd place. Mr Consistent Keith Hogg has made a fantastic start to his 2014 championship challenge and proved he has what it takes to be a race winner in this class. Hogg has claimed 3, 4thplaces and visited the podium to claim 3rd in the other. Vertical Racing team mates of Dave Park’s and Richard Kearney round out the top 5 of the current standings. Newcomer to the class Coilín Clinton has made leaps and bounds in learning what these Formula Sheane cars can do and sits in a well-deserved joint 7th with Mayo’s finest, Seán Hynes.
The Formula Sheane Championship has always had close ties to other classes in motorsport as the class itself emerged from Formula Vee by Mr Formula Vee himself David Sheane creating these marvellous machines. In conjunction with the Ginetta Junior Ireland Championship, Formula Sheane will be supplying the winner of said championship with the opportunity to race in Ireland’s fastest single seater series at a non-championship round at the end of the season. Formula Sheane is proud to support young drivers in their development and looks forward to working with Ireland’s future champions of the sport.
The championship is wide open at this midway stage of the season and is only looking to get wider with anywhere from up to another 6 drivers all looking to take a win in this ultra-competitive racing series. Formula Sheane proving time and again why it is Ireland’s Premier racing class. Roll on Rounds 5 & 6 at Kirkistown on June 21st.
