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Race Report-Irish Vee
2 July 2006, Mondello Park
Last weekend saw an encouraging performance by the team’s two drivers even though the results did not show it. Ken Elliott secured his first podium of the year but was unfortunately excluded for a technical infringement while John Downey looked set for his best finish of the year when a late spin on oil dropped him down the order. The day began well for Ken when he put in a super qualifying performance to snatch pole position during a tricky damp session with Downey securing a top ten position for the heat. All in all it was a better year than last, but plenty of room for improvement. Thanks to engine builder John Bowles, and the Leastone team for all their help and support throughout the year and hopefully 2005 will be so much better. Downey played it sensible in the heat which started in damp conditions but dried up towards the end. He sat at the tail of a three car battle for the early stages of the race but as it got dryer, he found the car more to he liking and he picked his way through to the head of the group. With no chance of catching the leading group in the few remaining laps, he cruised home in 5th to secure 7th place on the grid for the final. Elliott converted his pole position into a healthy lead by the end of lap 1 and looked to have made a break from the squabbling pack but due to the fact that most of the grid were ‘hot’ from the preceding heat, he found his lead diminished within a lap. Downey made an excellent start to slot into 5th place and was keeping in touch with lead group for the opening few laps.
Downey sat in 5th place for most of the race and was never really able to close in on the leaders but was looking set for a comfortable win in the B championship when he was caught out by oil at Dunlop corner and spun down the order. He brought home third place points for the B class and his championship challenge has been helped by the fact that the championship leader was excluded for a technical infringement. “Although it’s not the way to do it, this has put me back into the championship and we need to build on it for the next round.” said Downey post race. Elliott was happy with his second place but was left rueing his turn three error. It made little difference in the end because after post race scrutineering Elliott’s ride height was found to be slightly below the limit and he was subsequently disqualified.
“It’s disappointing to lose the result over something as silly as this and we will have to make sure that it never happens again. At least we were battling for the win and its good to be back on the pace after a bad start to the season.” said Elliott.
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At the head of that lead group, Ken had made a slight mistake at turn three which had allowed fellow Leastone runner and championship leader Ray Moore past. Elliott was then forced to defend his 2nd place heavily and this allowed Moore to build up a sizeable lead that he held until a red flag brought a halt to proceedings late in the race.
