Dunlop Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year Niall Murray headed to Bishopscourt for the Leinster Motor Club’s annual visit to the Downpatrick venue, fresh off the back of a double victory at Kirkistown some two weeks previous. Bishopscourt would play host to rounds three and four of the All Ireland Formula Ford Championship which Murray was currently leading coming into the weekend.
A strong showing in Saturday morning’s early test session was followed by a lengthy wait for qualifying in the late afternoon. Just as the cars were about to assemble for the 15 minute qualifying session, the heavens opened and the officials decided to delay the Formula Ford qualifying on safety grounds and allow some other classes out first to dissipate the standing water.
When the session finally got underway just after 5pm, it was clear from the outset that the weekend was going to be a two horse race between Niall Murray and Stephen Daly. With the positions regularly changing throughout the session, it was Murray who finally earned pole position for race one and second on the grid for race two.
Race one started with a drying circuit and a narrow dry line had started to form from the earlier sessions. Murray got a good start off the line but it was Daly who had the inside line advantage starting from second to lead going into the first corner. This would be the start of a fantastic race long battle between the pair for the lead position. On the penultimate lap, Niall managed to pass Stephen to take the lead. The battle was not over yet however as a lunge at the second last corner from Daly allowed him to force his way into the lead as the chequered flag was waved.
Starting in second for race two, Niall now had the inside line advantage for the first corner. Using this to perfection combined with a good start allowed the Irish Sports Council supported driver to move into the lead. Murray, who at the last round in Kirkistown showed the field a master class in controlling a race lead did the same again, extending his advantage throughout the race to take a solid victory.
Niall Murray – #5 Van Dieman Formula Ford:
“Another great weekend with two more front row starts and podiums. I have now extended my lead in the All Ireland Formula Ford championship so I’m really looking forward to round two of the Northern Ireland series in two weeks time at Kirkistown to build on my lead in that championship also.”