Mondello Park, 18th July 2010

Robert Casey grabbed the pole at a damp Mondello qualifying on Sunday and started ahead of Ray Moore, Robbie Allen, Dan Polley, Trevor Delaney and Brian Kelly. Moore had the best start and jumped into the lead but there was chaos behind. Polley spun on the exit of Honda and as the field scattered Roy Hanlon moved up to 4th place. Ger Byrne and then Tim O'Flaherty both hit Polley who was blocking the track. Allen and Kelly lost out with the incident right in front of them and both dropped places. Lloyd Murphy also went off at Honda, spinning on the wet grass before rejoining well down. The safety car was deployed early, but only Polley was out.

Moore is usually more than capable on restarts but this time Casey was the master. He got a good run down the straight and passed Moore around the outside at Honda. Dave O'Brien spun but everyone avoided him. Hanlon and Allen both passed Moore by the end of the lap and it appeared the championship leader was going backwards. Allen then moved up to 2nd place passing Delaney on the straight a lap later.

Casey streaked ahead and built his lead lap by lap. Allen was under pressure from Delaney but holding his position, Hanlon tracked the pair. Kelly was closing the gap to the leaders as the race wore on. Joe Smith was towards the front but had to retire when his bodywork came loose and interfered with the kill switch. Adam Macauley was driving a lonely race but staying ahad of the battle that involved Aidan Byrne and heat winner Damien Murphy. Moore and O'Brien were behind these at this stage.

Allen locked up and went off at Dunlop towards the end. Delaney, Hanlon, and Kelly all passed him as he recovered. Kelly was still on a charge and he passed Hanlon with two laps to go. Gaps between the drivers at this late stage meant positions were secure. Casey held on for his first ever win in a national race. The result went down well in the paddock where people always like to see a new face on the top step of the podium. Delaney was 2nd ahead of Kelly in 3rd. The title race now appears to be between three drivers, Moore, Casey or Polley could be champion in three races time.

Results

Heat(10 Laps)

1. Damien Murphy
2. Roy Hanlon
3. Ger Byrne
4. Dave O'Brien
5. Mick Sammon
6. Aidan Byrne

Pole: Dave O'Brien
Lap: Dave O'Brien 1-09.958

Final (12 Laps)

1. Robert Casey
2. Trevor Delaney
3. Brian Kelly
4. Roy Hanlon
5. Robbie Allen
6. Adam Macaulay

Pole: Robert Casey
Lap: Robbie Allen 1-05.981 Class Winners:
Roy Hanlon
Damien Murphy

Full Results from MyLaps.com