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Super Twins:
Amongst the top candidates for Super Twins honours this week include last year’s top newcomer in the Duke Road Race Rankings, Jonathan Watt.
One of the standout new Irish roads forces in 2022, Woolsey Concrete Kawasaki pilot Watt is aiming to continue his forward momentum.
Same notion applies to prospective TT debutant Marcus Simpson. ‘Spartacus’ was in good form at Oulton Park recently and knows what it takes to front run in the Twins category.
Don’t discount as well Liam Chawke, Michael Gahan, Paton mounted competitors, Matt Rees (Wilson Craig Racing) and Andy Hornby.
Added ones to watch include:
‘Tommy Club’ member Dan Ingham, Stephen McKnight, Vinny ‘The Racing Barber’ Brennan, Gareth Arnold, Anthony O’Carroll, Ryan Whitehall and Orritor Circuit first timer Jacque Foley.
Overall class entry numbers stand at almost 40 with a strong blend of rising stars, seasoned Cookstown exponents, ambitious newcomers set to take in Twins competition.
Lightweight:
Lightweight class wise, standout entrants include Ballymoney’s Darryl Tweed.
As shown at the Ulster Grand Prix, Manx Grand Prix, majority of national road races, Tweed is unquestionably one of the best 400cc machinery runners and will be a major contender for outright Lightweight honours.
The likes of popular German visitor Chris Meyer, Stephen Tobin, Darragh Crean (Faraldo Racing), Gareth Arnold, aforementioned Jonathan Watt, Dan Ingham are additional contenders for first-rate results.
Further depth to the Lightweight 250/400/450 field is provided by racers such as Brian Loughlin, Graham McAleese, Shaun Wynne and McKinstry Racing supported Owen Monaghan.
Senior Support:
Entry numbers for the Senior Support class, it’s a modest 23 with the bulk of entrants 600cc machinery mounted.
Ones to watch will include the twice, above mentioned Dan Ingham, John Cahill, Dean Lacey, 97 plate holder Anthony O’Carroll, Aidan Cleary.
Tommy Heaphy, John O’Donovan, Darragh Trappe and American newcomer, Obsession Engineering backed Dave Thomas.
Junior Support:
400’s, a 450, a 250, 700cc, 690cc, 650cc Super Twins are all set to feature within the Junior Support category.
Although it’s pretty tough to predict who will emerge victorious, competitors to keep an eye on include aforementioned Anthony O’Carroll (Ian Milne Racing), John Cahill, Graham McAleese (McKillop Motorcycles Racing), RJ Woolsey.
Roddy Taylor, hoping not to encounter another deer! Dave Walsh, Brian Loughlin and Kelly Carruthers.
Newcomers amongst the 30-plus entry list include Cork’s Darragh Crean, Baja International Tourist Cup runner-up Dave Thomas (McCrum Motorcycles) and Alex Sinclair, who has been assigned the 141-plate.
Photo’s by Tommy Vennard, Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
