You Could Race Against Ballymena's Successful Racing Drivers!

By Evan Dalton for LoveBallymena





Local racing drivers Ronan Doherty and Sean McClements have had excellent years competing in the Irish Formula Vee Championship.


The two cousins, residing on the outskirts of Ballymena, near Dunloy, both achieved great success racing in Mondello Park and Kirkistown. Doherty was victorious in the category's biggest race, th e‘Leinster Trophy.’ Dohertyt put his name on the famous cup alongside Formula 1 world champions Ayrton Senna and Mika Hakkinen. McClements earned pole position for the final round of the championship, in just his second ever weekend competing.


The two drivers first started their racing career racing on their computer, in what’s known as ‘sim racing.’ With thanks to the success of them both, Formula Vee Ireland are looking for more sim racers to join their field!



Becoming a racing driver is not easy. From the moment you start in karts at a young age, and progress through low single seater categories, the cost involved is colossal. A single season of ‘budget’ racing or karting can stretch over the €10,000 mark, and for most young prodigies hoping for a career in motorsport, either in Ireland or abroad, it just isn’t feasible. The model of racing leaves unknown talent, unknown. 


Most ‘sim racers’ have accepted that they will never race real machinery, but this is no longer the case. Formula Vee Ireland, Ireland’s budget single seater racing category that races in Mondello Park and around the country, have teamed up with RTA Virtual Motorsport, Ireland’s lead virtual race organisation, to grant sim racers a once in a lifetime opportunity. 


Formula Vee boasts some of the biggest grids in the country and drivers who have competed in the championship have gone on to win events across the world.

 

Across a Formula Vee championship taking place on the racing simulation platform, iRacing, eligible drivers will be judged on various metrics related to motorsport such as overall pace, racecraft, consistency, results, attitude, attitude towards other drivers, and general racing mindset. Three winning drivers will be selected, with each getting to race a weekend in the Irish Formula Vee championship in 2026. 


The competition will begin on January 6th and take place every Tuesday night for eight weeks. “It is the first of its kind opportunity in Ireland,” said Rob Parks, managing director of RTA Virtual Motorsport. “We fully believe that sim racers can compete with the best drivers in Ireland, and the proof is in the pudding.” 


Adam McAuley, chairperson of Formula Vee Ireland, stated at Formula Vee’s AGM that he believes sim racers are the future of not just the class, but motorsport in Ireland.


“The simulator is realistic to an extent. It certainly helped towards the start of my real racing career, as I had already developed braking techniques on the sim,” said Doherty. 


““The sim is something I’d recommend to anyone,” said McClements. “Use me as a prime example, it only took me half a day on track to get up to speed. I personally see no negatives, it’s cheap, it’s fun and you make loads of friends along the way. I wouldn’t be racing now if it wasn’t for the sim.” 


Programs to allow a regular fan to compete in top level sport do not exist in this country. This scholarship is a first of its kind. The winners will be loaned a race car for a weekend at Mondello Park in the Formula Vee calendar, driving coaching and will be given advice on how to further their career next. It’s not a bad deal in exchange for racing on your home computer in a blustery, cold, January. 


All potential participants are advised to visit RTAVirtualMotorsport.com for full details on entry and terms and conditions. 

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