By The first Superbike/Superstock 1000 – Tandragee 100 contest of this decade, the McCrum’s Suzuki Open Race (trimmed to five laps), starred the Michael’s, Dunlop and Sweeney.
Martin Jones Racing BMW vaulted Sweeney, got the hole shot on lap 1 and headed early race stages, before TT wins record holder Dunlop, gained the race-lead.
On lap four, both Dunlop and Sweeney went under the existing lap-record, lapping respectively at 2.55.277 and 2.55.212 seconds.
Ultimately, the final finishing order was Dunlop first (125th Irish Road Race win), Sweeney second with just 0.411 in it at the chequered flag.
A last gasp manoeuvre on Michael Browne (Boyce Precision Engineering by Russell Racing – Yamaha) allowed Conor Cummins, astride the BE/RK Racing BMW to clinch the final spot on the podium.
Browne fourth, had the consolation of setting earlier during race circulations, the fastest ever T100 Supersport lap, 2 minutes 57.352 seconds.
WH Racing Powered by Dynobike’s Marcus Simpson took fifth with Team Classic Suzuki’s Shaun Anderson sixth.
Ryan Whitehall was a very creditable seventh as Neil Kernohan, Daracore Racing’s Kevin Keyes, ‘Tommy Club’ Manx GP member Andy Farrell rounded out the first ten finishers.
Remaining race finishers, eleventh to twenty second were Michael Gahan (P11), Stephen Tobin (P12), Barry Furber (P13), Paul Cranston (P14).
Liam Chawke (P15), Richard McLoughlin (P16), Dan Ingham (P17), Darryl Anderson (P18).
Graham McAleese (P19), Owen Monaghan (P20), Dermot Cleary (P21) and Darragh Trappe (P22).
The only non-finishers were Noel Carroll and top five Super Twins race finisher, Joe Yeardsley.
Photo credit: Tommy Vennard
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
