By It’s a tantalizing prospect next weekend’s Steve Henshaw Gold Cup, Road Racing Ireland Classic Superbike races.
The 24-racer field includes the top three finishers in last Monday’s Classic SBK Manx Grand Prix race.
New three times MGP race winner Michael Browne astride the ever-rasping Key Racing 916 Ducati, Greenall Racing Kawasaki’s Rob Hodson and Derek Sheils.
All three have the undoubted qualities to dominate the six-lap yesteryear SBK race stints.
You’ve got to apply the same potential notion to outright lap-record holder, much welcomed Oliver’s Mount racing returnee, Dean Harrison.
The 30 times TT podium finisher will be piloting RC45 Honda machinery and it’s going to be interesting to see how the big Honda compares to Kawasaki’s ZXR 750, Ducati’s 916 steeds.
Barry Sheene Trophy winner Don Gilbert (IOM Bike Storage – Suzuki), Dave Bell (Graham Turnbull Yamaha), Barry Furber (DC Auto Repairs Newtown Ltd), Mad Bros Racing’s Gary McCoy, Oliver’s Mount Classic SBK Championship leader Tom Weeden should also fare strongly.
Further depth to the entry is provided by the likes of David ‘Action’ Jackson (C.A.H Racereps – Suzuki), Aran Sadler (AS Electricals – Yamaha), Mick Goodings (Motor Craft Developments – Kawasaki).
2022 Irish Road Race Superbike Champion Michael Sweeney (Mistral Racing Kawasaki), team-mate Mike Bampton, David Suddes, Roddy Taylor (J.Borthwick Haulage – Suzuki) and Adrian Harrison (Brook Built Racing).
We’d be remiss to not also mention the group of Supermono pilots competing in the yesteryear, big-bike encounters.
Competitors setting their sights on class triumphs include Aberdare Park Welsh Open runner-up Jay Bellers Smith, Sam Johnson and Grantham’s Jack Turner.
Keep an eye on Road Racing News, for more Steve Henshaw Gold Cup previews. On Monday, we focus on the well subscribed Supersport entry.
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
