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Irish road racing’s longest running event, the Bear Competitions Cookstown 100 (25th-26th of April), is primed to launch into fruition this month, with confirmed strong fields for all racing classes.
McGee’s Comeback:
Six years since his last participation, 2018 Duke Road Race Rankings Champion Derek McGee makes his Cookstown comeback.
Now resident in the Netherlands, the former Lightweight TT runner-up, upcoming Irish roads return sees him equipped with ex Stefano Manzi, Ten Kate, World Supersport R6 Yamaha tackle.
He’s also reuniting with Ryan Farquhar’s KMR Kawasaki team, for Super Twin competition, plus will be aboard Moto 3 machinery, either a former Grand Prix racing KTM or Faraldo Racing’s 450 mount.
Established Talents:
Established Orritor Circuit front runners set to compete again include Novo Gen by FAO Racing’s Darryl Tweed, 2022 Irish Road Race Superbike Champion Michael Sweeney on BMW, R6 Yamaha, to be decided Super Twins apparatus.
Austrian ace, Lion Heart Moto Racing’s Julian Trummer, Neil Kernohan, modern era Manx GP great Andy Farrell.
Grand Final podium finisher last year, Ryan ‘Ryno’ Whitehall, Daracore Racing’s Kevin Keyes and Classic Superbike race entrant, the evergreen Paul Cranston.
Depth In Lightweight/Support/Yesteryear Classic Races:
There’s prominent depth amongst the Lightweight Supersport, Support category, newly instated Classic Superbike, Yesteryear Classic, race entry-lists.
I could list a huge amount, of notable entrants but succinctly, here’s a selection of ones to watch:
Andy Hornby, Gareth Arnold, Germany’s Chris Meyer, Brian Mateer, 2024 Manx Grand Prix victor Mark Johnson.
New TH Racing signing James Chawke, Julian Trummer, Wattie Brown, Nigel Moore, Trison McMullan Racing’s Lee Osprey.
Paul ‘Potchy’ Williams, Sean Brolly, Caomhan Canny, Aidan Cleary and fitness permitting after attaining an off-season hand injury, the road racing legend that is Barry Davidson.
Notable Newcomers:
One of the absolute standout themes for me, about this year’s Cookstown 100, is the array of notable newcomers.
There’s Scott Racing’s Joe Yeardsley, eight times TT winner, Dan Sayle (250 Yamaha – Moto 3 equipped), Parker Transport Racing’s Andrea Majola.
Kevin Lavery, IOM riders Dale Brew, Luke Blevins and Cowton Racing’s Franco Bourne.
Bourne, a National Superstock 1000 Championship race winner, adaption to the historic, challenging Cookstown course, is certain to be monitored intensely by road racing aficionados.
Photo credit: Maurice Montgomery, Derek Wilson.
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
He’s also reuniting with Ryan Farquhar’s KMR Kawasaki team, for Super Twin competition, plus will be aboard Moto 3 machinery, either a former Grand Prix racing KTM or Faraldo Racing’s 450 mount.
Established Talents:
Established Orritor Circuit front runners set to compete again include Novo Gen by FAO Racing’s Darryl Tweed, 2022 Irish Road Race Superbike Champion Michael Sweeney on BMW, R6 Yamaha, to be decided Super Twins apparatus.
Austrian ace, Lion Heart Moto Racing’s Julian Trummer, Neil Kernohan, modern era Manx GP great Andy Farrell.
Grand Final podium finisher last year, Ryan ‘Ryno’ Whitehall, Daracore Racing’s Kevin Keyes and Classic Superbike race entrant, the evergreen Paul Cranston.
Depth In Lightweight/Support/Yesteryear Classic Races:
There’s prominent depth amongst the Lightweight Supersport, Support category, newly instated Classic Superbike, Yesteryear Classic, race entry-lists.
I could list a huge amount, of notable entrants but succinctly, here’s a selection of ones to watch:
Andy Hornby, Gareth Arnold, Germany’s Chris Meyer, Brian Mateer, 2024 Manx Grand Prix victor Mark Johnson.
New TH Racing signing James Chawke, Julian Trummer, Wattie Brown, Nigel Moore, Trison McMullan Racing’s Lee Osprey.
Paul ‘Potchy’ Williams, Sean Brolly, Caomhan Canny, Aidan Cleary and fitness permitting after attaining an off-season hand injury, the road racing legend that is Barry Davidson.
Notable Newcomers:
One of the absolute standout themes for me, about this year’s Cookstown 100, is the array of notable newcomers.
There’s Scott Racing’s Joe Yeardsley, eight times TT winner, Dan Sayle (250 Yamaha – Moto 3 equipped), Parker Transport Racing’s Andrea Majola.
Kevin Lavery, IOM riders Dale Brew, Luke Blevins and Cowton Racing’s Franco Bourne.
Bourne, a National Superstock 1000 Championship race winner, adaption to the historic, challenging Cookstown course, is certain to be monitored intensely by road racing aficionados.
Photo credit: Maurice Montgomery, Derek Wilson.
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
