A dramatic final day in the Student Sport Ireland Karting Championship in Watergrasshill in Cork, saw Shane O’Leary (Cork IT) come from eighteen points behind to claim his first ever SSI Individual championship at the expense of long time leader Oscar Mangan from Dublin IT A.

Oscar Mangan who had won the opening three rounds of the championship with wins in Whiteriver, Athboy and Nutts Corner looked out of sight going into the final round and only required a 16th place finish in Watergrasshill to seal the championship, however mechanical issues in two of his heats put paid to his chances of reaching the semi-finals and opened the door for Shane O’Leary.

On his local track Shane O’Leary could put no foot wrong in qualifying in first overall from the heats and when he took first spot in his semi-final, Oscar Mangan’s hopes rested with his team mates who needed to get into the top two ahead of O’Leary to deny the Cork man. However O’Leary led from lights out to the chequered flag to take the championship.

There was some consolation for Dublin IT ‘A’ as they were crowned overall team championship winners ahead of Cork IT ‘A’ with IT Carlow getting on the podium for the first time in third spot overall.

Student Sport Ireland Karting Individual Driver Championship
1st Shane O’Leary (Cork IT A) 82 points
2nd Oscar Mangan (Dublin IT A) 78 points
3rd Andrew Flynn (Dublin IT A) 70 points
4th Jeff Riordan (Cork IT A) 66 points
5th Andrew Hemeryck (Dublin IT A) 61 points

Student Sport Ireland Karting Team Championship
1st Dublin IT ‘A’ 303 points
2nd Cork IT ‘A’ 250 points
3rd IT Carlow ‘A’ 127 points