Race report - Formula 5

Mondello 22-4-7

Formula 5 Season kicks off

The Formula 5 championship got off to a promising start at Mondello Park last weekend which has left the Leastone crew feeling optimistic for the rest of the 2007. Despite entries being reduced due to various drivers work or family commitments, the class put on a fine display as they ran with the fast growing Formula Libre class.
Both John Downey and Mark Reade made their championsip debuts, with Downey sporting an impressive navy and white livery thanks to his title sponsors, O2. His brand new DH01 was finished in the wee hours of Saturday morning and Leastone boss Paul Heavey was delighted with the fact that it ran fault free all weekend.
Qualifying held in tricky conditions as an early morning shower left the track quite slippy in areas. David Heavey outlined his intentions for the year as he was quickest of the class for the duration of the session and managed to secure a third row grid slot overall. Stephen Kershaw was next up with Reade third fastest as the teenager experience damp conditions for the first time in the 900cc machine. John Downey was left languishing back on the last row as an altercation with another driver early on left him sitting on the sidelines.

Race 1

Lights out for the first race saw Heavey hold station off the line but Kershaw quickly dispatched him on the run to turn three. After Heavey was badly baulked by some of the more powerful cars and Kershaw got the break he needed. Downey was making rapid progress from his lowly grid position while Reade made another impressive start and was embroiled in a mid pack battle.
As Kershaw scampered off into the distance, Heavey had his work cut out trying to keep an array of impressive machinery behind him. Each lap, the little 900cc Leastone would be passed on the main straight but Heavey simply outdrove them through the following corners to regain the places.
Reade and Downey were having their own battle among themselves with the youngster showing impressive speed so early in the season. Again, his lack of experience prevented him from having the confidence to make a decisive move but he managed to keep his teammates on their toes in the closing stages of the race.
Heading onto the final lap, Heavey could see Kershaw slowing with some suspension damage and set off on an all or nothing final lap to steal class victory. He pushed too hard through the Esses resulting in a big off which he just about managed to recover and while Kershaw cruised to maximum points, Downey and Reade attacked the recovering Heavey which set up a spectacular three abreast finish in which Downey elevated himself to second while Reade was forced to settle for fourth.

Race 2

The heavens opened just before the race 2 start and Heavey squandered his pole position by stalling on the grid and Kershaw again galloped away into the lead. Heavey was relegated to the back of the field and he duly set about regaining lost time. With Downey in tow, the pair were able to scythe through the field and Heavey was back where he started by lap two when he lost gears exiting turn 3.
Downey picked up where Heavey left off and was closing down on an overall podium when he was caught out by the sodden track and slid into the gravel at Dunlop, ending his impressive 4-lap run. Mark Reade had taken the class lead as Kershaw pitted with a recurring misfire but the teenager hit a puddle and took in water resulting in a trip to the pits as the red flag was put out for Downey’s stricken car.
The race was ended there and then with 4 laps counting and some confusion with the results saw Reade, who was running second in class, unclassified, as Kershaw took another maximum score.

Driver quotes:

Stephen Kershaw No. 9: “It’s a perfect start, what else can I say? Two starts, two class wins and we’ve had very little problems all weekend so obviously I’m delighted!”

John Downey No. 112: “I had my reserves when the car was finished so late but it was great all weekend. It was flying in race 2 and I was disappointed to end it in the gravel. However, it’s only my second time in a Formula 5 so I still have a lot to learn and I’m really looking forward to the next round”

David Heavey No.55: “We had to change the engine on Saturday evening and I was using the unit from last year which is well down on power but to see a chequered flag was a great relief! Qualifying was good but I could do nothing about Steve in race 1. Even so, passing lads in cars which are far more expensive and powerful than mine is great fun!”

Mark Reade No.56: “I had a great battle with John in race 1 and almost nicked by Dave on the run to the line but it’s good to run with these boys so early in the year. Confidence is still and issue, I think, and the conditions were really difficult in both qualifying and Race 2. I was just being careful not to throw it at the scenery. Lap times are improving all the time and at the moment that is important.”

The next Formula 5 round takes place at Mondello on the 13th of May, a tricky time for Heavey and Reade as they will be gearing up for college and Leaving Cert examinations respectively.