Blackburn on the podium in Formula Vee opener
By Stephen Leonard
COLM Blackburn made a promising start to the E Fox Engineers National Formula Vee Champion-ship last weekend, reaching the podium at the super-fast Kirkistown circuit.
Having moved to a new team during the winter break, the Ballyfermot man and new team boss Stephen Kershaw, of Kershaw M-Sport, set out for Kirkis- town early on Thursday for three days of testing, qualifying and racing.
The two days of testing paid off and despite a damp track, Blackburn secured his first pole position in the Formula Vee class with a time of 1 minute 7.3 seconds, three tenths ahead of his closest rival.
The weather grew progressively worse throughout the day, and by the time the cars were lining up on the grid, the rain was coming down.
The initial start was red flagged after a start line incident, and for the re-start Blackburn made an impressive getaway and led the first half of the race.
After losing the lead to the experienced Dan Polley, Blackburn won it back almost immediately only to lose it again a lap and a half later.
In the end he finished less than a second behind Polley, having been hot on his heels for the remainder of the race.
“Of course it was disa-ppointing not to get the win but I am happy with the weekend” said Blackburn.
“We picked up valuable points for the champion-ship, and we are already working towards the next race.
“It was a great start to the season, and I want to be on the top step of the podium very soon.
“I would like to thank my sponsor Platinum Motor Company for their support this year, and Stephen Kershaw and the team for all the hard work on the car” he added.
Blackburn next heads to Bishopscourt for Rounds Two and Three on the weekend of May 7/8.
