Blackburn returns to winning ways

COLM Blackburn from Ballyfermot returned to winning ways again at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit last week, reports Barry Cregg.

The 2017 champion who has made a return to the series again after a four-year break hasn’t been far off the pace since his return.

He looked strong in all races so far, this season but fuel pressure issues and silly bodywork parts coming loose in previous rounds put him out of contention for podiums and victories.

Last weekend however, he was back stronger than ever and right in the mix in both Selco.ie Formula Vee championship races.

The fast and flowing nature of the county Down circuit produced a great qualifying and was as close as you could get with the top six covered by the same second.

Starting from 5th for the first race Blackburn made a good get away and began a race long battle with the top eight drivers of the series.

Battling with Jordan Kelly and Gavin Buckley for much of the race he then broke clear of them and closed in on the back of fifth place man Jack Byrne with a couple of laps remaining.

It looked good for him to grab another place or two before the chequered flag came out as his pace was as strong if not strong than those ahead.

As they made their way up the back straight a big crash between the Anthony Cross and Jack Byrne gave him to further positions.

Not the way he wanted to get them but thankfully the two drivers were unhurt, but it did bring out the red flags.

The race was declared a result as it had gone past the distance to restart a new race and it gave Blackburn good points for the championship.

Race two would give him another chance to take his first win in four years.

For race two the weather turned for the worse, still dry but a heavy mist hung over the circuit not bad enough to cancel but still not ideal for seeing the road ahead as clear as drivers would like.

It was the same for everyone though and it was Dan Polley who lined up on pole.

Anthony Cross from Bohernabreena amazingly got his car back out with the help of other drivers and team members after his crash earlier in the day.

Blackburn would start from fourth this time.

Such was the mist the circuit commentator could not see the drivers round the hairpin at the far end of the track.

Blackburn held his fourth place by the end of the opening lap.

Lee Newsome led from Cross and Polley with Balckburn being sandwiched by Gavin Buckley and Ronan Doherty as they round turn one.

By the penultimate corner Blackburn was back in fourth and behind him Doherty and Buckley collided resulting in Buckley ending up on the grass.

It gave Blackburn room to breathe and concentrate on the front three ahead.

As they exited the mist next time round Blackburn was into third behind Newsome and Polley, but the race was stopped when the red flags came out to clear up an incident.

On the restart it was Newsome who led from Cross with Blackburn in third.

The order was reversed one lap later. Blackburn had got to the front and meant business.

He already pulled a slight gap and if he could hold that for another lap, he could stretch it out so those behind would begin to lose the tow.

It was working as he began to open the gap to Newsome and Cross.

A lap later Cross ran wide holding Newsome up but crucially for Blackburn his lead extended even more.

Now he was clear and free from those behind catching his tow.