Race Report - Irish Vee

Kirkistown 25-8-7

Ken Elliott cemented his championship lead with his second successive win in the JH004 at Kirkistown last weekend. Elliott kept a level head in tricky conditions to keep his Leastone pointing the right way and take maximum points heading into the final round at the Leinster Trophy at Mondello.

As is always the case around Kirkistown, qualifying was all about the slipstream and Elliott tagged onto a tailender and produced a fine lap mid-way through the session to secure a front row slot. With a long run down to the first corner and many overtaking opportunities, pole wasn’t as important as it would be around Mondello.

To make matters interesting, a hefty shower of rain soaked the track just before the start of the main event. As has been the trend this season, Elliott got the jump off the line and led the pack into Turn 1. Careful not to throw it away in the tricky conditions, he felt his way around the track in a cautious manner while matters were only made worse when one of the backmarkers deposited oil in the early stages.

Despite heavy pressure from behind, Elliott kept his head and defended his position well for the opening laps. After a mistake on the oil, he slipped to second but was quickly back in the lead after the erstwhile leader slid off the track at the hairpin. Elliott rarely got a break as there pressure from various drivers for the remainder of the race.

In a classic Kirkistown race, the positions behind we’re changing lap after lap while Elliott was doing just enough to maintain his lead. He was helped by the inefficient slipstream given by the JH004’s back bodywork which only allowed his rivals to draw alongside at the best of times.

Two laps from home, a slight mistake dropped him to second but he merely assessed the situation and retook the lead in an excellent tactical ploy entering the final corner. His nearest challenger managed to get a significant run on the way out but Elliott had just enough in his pocket and took the win by seven hundredths of a second.

“It doesn’t get much better than this! Heading into the final round at the head of the championship is exactly the place to be. There’s no point in being conservative, the only way is to go for all out win’s in Mondello. It’s a track I enjoy and this car is working extremely well.

The Formula Vee saga concludes with a double header on the international track at Mondello on the 22/23 of September. Elliott goes there defending a 12 point championship lead. Heading to the Kildare track, he will be looking to continue this fantastic form and with it keep the number 1 on a Leastone for the second year running.