By Super Twins:
Super Twins/Sportbike sizzlers in prospect at Cookstown.
Former Duke Road Race Rankings Champion Michael Sweeney, Ballymoney’s Darryl Tweed (Stanley Stewart Racing by Novogen – 660 Triumph), the current IRRC Superbike Champion start as potential class conquerors.
Lee Hara, Senior Manx Grand Prix winner Caomhan Canny, James Chawke will be hoping to begin respective new real roads ventures with FAO Racing, Scott Racing and RL (Richard Latimer) Racing in prosperous style.
Others under the ones to watch bracket include:
Castleblayney’s Joe Loughlin, Graham McAleese (GR/GMAC Racing), Kevin Lavery, the genial Nigel Moore, Dean McMaster, Trison McMullan Racing’s Lee Osprey, Andy Farrell.
Neil Kernohan, Michael Gillan, Liam Chawke, Sean Brolly, William Grant (Cowton Racing), team-mate, Orritor Circuit newbie Bailey Harker and fellow C100 debutants Oliver Morgan Edwards, Daniel Pearson
Category entry numbers are near fifty with forty-eight racers in total poised for Irish road racing’s longest consecutive running event.
Lightweight:
Lightweight Supersport field wise, headline entrants include the already mentioned, Darryl Tweed.
As stated in last year’s preview, ‘Tweedy’ is quite the specialist on 400cc tackle, clinching victories at the bulk of national events, Ulster GP and Manx GP.
M+D Racing by Novogen 400 Kawasaki vaulted for Friday, Saturday’s competition, he is more than likely going to be a lead contender again.
Barry Davidson chasing the all-time C100 wins record, Richard (Jackson Kawasaki), Lee Osprey, Aidan Cleary, 125/Moto 3 winner x3 from the Oliver’s Mount Bob Smith Spring Cup, Dan Sayle, German roads scene explorer Chris Meyer join Tweed as prospective podium finishing candidates.
The intertwined Supersport 400, 125/Moto 3, Supermono start-lists also feature to name but a-few, rising talent Kevin Lavery, Kramer Evo2 powered Dave Walsh, Ben Mullane, Paddy McColgan and the Scottish trio of Leon Murphy, Roddy Taylor, and Ashley Robson.
Senior Support:
Stars of tomorrow aside vastly experienced roads craftsmen is one way to sum up this week’s C100 action.
Entrants amongst the 39-racer entry, to keenly monitor include:
Roadhouse Macau Team’s Brandon Kavanagh, Aidan Cleary, brother of Jackson Racing’s Paul Jordan, Gary Jordan. Tam Oliver, Ashley Robson, John O’Donovan, Roddy Taylor bringing the famous MV Agusta name back to Cookstown.
Stuart McCann, Jason Whelan, newcomers Bailey Harker (Cowton Racing), Fred McMullan, Daniel Pearson, Blake O’Hare, and nephew of eleven times TT winner Phillip McCallen, Brett McCallen.
Junior Support:
650cc, 660cc, 700cc Twins, two-stroke, 400cc instruments, the Junior Support class machines assemblage is diverse to say the least.
Whilst tough to outline who could grab top three finishes, competitors setting sights on productive C100 tenures include:
Cowton Racing’s William Grant and Bailey Harker, Aidan Cleary (McCormick Directional Drilling Yamaha), Brandon Kavanagh, John O’Donovan.
Leon Murphy, Tam Oliver, McKinstry Racing’s Michael Clyde, debutants Seb Evenden, Fred McMullan, Jack Andrews, Ricky Martin, and Arran Hands.
Photo credit: Derek Wilson
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
