O'Hara takes Kirkistown Formula Ford victory

Current Dunlop Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year Kevin O'Hara made the trip to Kirkistown last weekend for rounds five and six of the Northern Ireland Formula Ford Championship. Having endured a troubled start to the season so far where Kevin's immense pace hadn't rewarded him with the results he deserved, O'Hara in his Bernard Dolan prepared car were working hard to try and turn their luck around.

Pre-event testing was very positive for Kevin in the Irish Sports Council supported car with signs of a strong result on the cards for the weekend ahead.

Saturday morning qualifying was greeted with glorious sunshine providing ideal track conditions. As is now customary in Formula Ford, qualifying proved to be a very close affair with mere hundredths of a second splitting the leaders throughout the session. On the final lap Kevin O'Hara just missed out on pole position by two hundredths of a second to championship leader Ivor McCullough.

A disappointing start off the line in race one for O'Hara left him down in fifth at the end of the opening lap. However the young Kildare man who is well known for his excellent race craft which allowed him to quickly make his way back up to second position by lap five, where he would remain to the flag despite a valiant effort to reel in race leader McCullough.

Starting race two from the outside of the front row, O'Hara was quickly leading from lap two. The race quickly became one of the closest battles for the lead so far this season, Kevin and race one winner Ivor McCullough were nip and tuck for the majority of the race with the latter just slipping into the lead for a brief period. O'Hara regained his lead two laps from the end to cross the line and secure a richly deserved debut Formula Ford victory and with it breaking the winning streak of second placed man Ivor McCullough.

Speaking after the weekend, O'Hara was naturally delighted to secure his first victory: "Its great to get a win after a difficult start to the year and to finally get a result that reflects our pace. I've got to say a massive word of thanks to Motorsport Ireland, The Irish Sports Council, Dunlop, Bernard Dolan and KCMG for their continued support this season".

Kevin's next event will be back at Kirkistown on Saturday 22nd June.