Only one topic to start with, when reflecting on race day at this year’s CDE Group Cookstown 100, Barry Davidson joining the 100 Irish road race wins club.
Supersport 300 success saw the genial Davidson, become just the eight-racer to clinch 100 or more Irish road race victories.
Triple Manx Grand Prix winner Davidson, went onto secure Junior 250, Junior 350 category triumphs.
He nearly made it a victory quadruple in the Senior 500 class but the determined efforts of fellow, yesteryear racing stalwart Wattie Brown prevented this.
Apart from Davidson, the only other racer to go into double figures, victories wise yesterday was BE/RK Racing’s Michael Browne.
Before taking the spoils in the twice red-flagged, Supersport race, Browne sped in style to 125/Moto 3 honours, finishing six seconds plus ahead of lead pursuer, Nigel Moore.
First time Cookstown winners on Saturday afternoon were Anthony O’Carroll (Senior Support), ‘Tommy Club’ member Dan Ingham (Junior Support A), John O’Donovan (Super Twins B).
Andy Hornby ruled the Senior 1000 Classics field whilst Darryl Tweed, reminded everyone of his 400cc machinery prowess with a commanding Lightweight Supersport success.
Despite the patchy, sketchy conditions (which meant no 1000cc racing), pesky wet weather, torrential at times, the standard of racing still oozed exhilaration, thrills, pure quality.
Attentions now within the Irish road racing community turn towards one of the sport’s ‘Majors’, the FonaCAB & Nicholl Oils North West 200.
Photo credit: Allister Dickson (Startline Photography), Tommy Vennard, Rod Neill
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou

