World class, thrilling, captivating, enthralling roads action is an undoubted guarantee next weekend at Skerries, with Irish roads royalty a plenty confirmed to sample the Country Crest/Des D’Arcy Motors titled sponsored Skerries 100.
Unquestionably attention a plenty next Saturday, Sunday will placed upon Michael Dunlop, as he makes his return to roads action for the first time since finishing fourth in the Pokerstars Senior TT.
It’s not clear yet as to whether the 18 times TT winner will be piloting the Tyco BMW Superbike, or his own teams Superstock BMW at Skerries.
Photo by Mark Corlett
He is confirmed though to pilot his Monster Energy Supersport TT race 1 winning MD Racing PTR prepared CBR 600RR Honda, in the feature Supersport encounter.
Brother William Dunlop who pulled out early of TT 2018, due to personal reasons, is also Skerries bound as the Temple Golf Club Yamaha racer aims to increase an impressive event victory total of 15 victories.
Five time winner at the Enniskillen Road Races Derek McGee, Cookstown BE Racing’s Derek Sheils are also certain to be in prime contention for Supersport, Superbike triumphs.
Twice Junior Manx GP champion Michael Sweeney, Sidecar TT great Dan Sayle and TT Privateers, second fastest TT newcomer in history Davey Todd are additional top level confirmed entrants.
Alongside the Open Superbike and Grand Final races, there’s an extra incentive for the anticipated front runners to be on top form next week, as they battle for honours in the inaugural Martin Finnegan Memorial race, which carries an impressive first prize of 5,000 Euros.
This is by all accounts the leading race winners purse presently at an Irish national meeting, it’s also on a par with prize money applicable at international meets such as the North West 200 and MCE Insurance Ulster Grand Prix.
Words by Stevie Rial