Race Report - Formula 5

Kirkistown 26-4-8

Kevin Gillespie made it 2 from 3 at Kirkistown last weekend as Mark Reades dismal start to 2008 continued around the super fast Northern Irish venue. John Downey continued a strong run of form, returning to the more normal surrounds of his O2 Leastone after using Harry Holmes car for the opening rounds. Dan Polley was a notable absentee due to work commitments after his impressive opening weekend at Mondello two weeks ago. With a smaller number of entries for the Kirkistown event, the Libres were only staged for only one race over the weekend.
Kevin Gillespie duly placed his Elf liveried Leastone on the class pole with Mark Reade showing that a lack of Friday testing had no effect as he kept Gillespie honest for the duration of the session. John Downey endured a frustrating session when a rare coil failure severely hampered his running in what was already a shortened qualifying session.

Gillespie made an impressive start, wrangling his way past a number of significantly more powerful cars in the opening corners. John Downey had similar intentions and he latched onto the coat tails of his team mate. Mark Reade’s race was short lived when his throttle cable became unseated and held the throttle partially open, a result of some pre race maintenance that was completed incorrectly.
Downey was in looked to be in imperious form as he began to close the gap to Gillespie but in a similar fashion to round 1, Gillespie stabilised the gap over the middle part of the race before gradually eking out the gap in the final stages of the race and recording his second class win of the year. Downey secured his second runner-up spot of the year which saw both cars receive some valuable points not just in the Formula 5 championship but also in the Formula Libre championship itself.

The series prepares for a double header around the International track at Mondello on the 17/18th of May. Mark Reade will be looking to get his season off the mark while Downey will be looking to improve on his last two results. Daniel Polley is set to make his return while Leastone team boss Paul Heavey is returning to the wheel for the first time since the Phoenix Park races last year.
All in all it is shaping to be a great event as Leastone’s home track celebrates its 40th anniversary while the drivers look forward to tackling the 3.6km long international track in their 900cc machines.