Country Crest Skerries 100 Preview

In just under a week’s time, the Irish road racing scene will descend upon Southern Ireland’s eldest existing meeting, the Country Crest Skerries 100.

Looking to bolster his already impressive reputation at Skerries, nine times event victor Derek Sheils is set to race the Roadhouse Macau BMW, he took to 15th in the Milwaukee Senior TT.

Formidable in recent times at Skerries, it’s going to take top, top draw performances from his esteemed opposition to stop him adding more racing winning feats, to his already stellar Irish roads CV.

Standout challengers to Sheils in the 1000cc races include the in-form Michael Sweeney.

Grand Final victor at Cookstown, Open race winner at Kells, Supersport runner-up at Tandragee, a top five finisher at the North West 200 finishing in front of John McGuinness MBE, local favourite Sweeney is arguably in the best form of his career.

Will he emerge victorious on more than one occasion next week?

It’s a distinct possibility for Sweeney, who has collected to date no less than 27 bronze replica TT finishes. Lots of focus will also be on new TT podium finishers circle member, Paul Jordan.

Aiming to kick on from the dream TT podium finish from the Bennetts Lightweight race, the Magherafelt racer has the undoubted capabilities to be in the mix alongside Sheils and Sweeney.

Same notion applies to Ballymoney’s Darryl Tweed, who leads the Wilson Craig Racing challenge.

BE Racing/RK Racing’s Michael Browne, showed true grit during TT 2022 and is another extremely capable of standing on the top step of the podium.

Added racers Skerries bound include Cookstown Grand Final runner-up Thomas Maxwell, David Howard and two-stroke, yesteryear racing great Barry Davidson.

Organisers are also hopeful that 19 times International road race winner Guy Martin, will be sampling the Senior 1000 Classics race.

Additional Skerries Info:

* Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club Limited, have disclosed that 40,000 Euros has been spent on improving safety around the just over 2.9 miles long Skerries course.

Safety measures implemented are various pole protectors plus Sabre Electrical Services partly supported recticel.

* Former Moto GP racer James Ellison is Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club Limited’s official Guest of Honour.

* Confirmed event sponsors include D’Arcy Motors, Vanfleet Transport and Eamon Mulligan Builders.

* Ten races are due to take place

* Roads close 12:00 PM, Saturday 2nd July for practice, qualifying sessions.

* Roads close 8:00 AM, Sunday 3rd July for race day.

* Race day admission stands at 30 Euros

Information courtesy of Margaret Corry

Photo’s by Tommy Vennard, Rod Neill, Jack Corry

Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou