By Bolstered by the inclusion of reigning TT Privateers Champion Davey Todd, and second fastest racer in history at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough, Daley Mathison to the IRRC ranks, excitement a plenty is building for fans, event organisers, teams and the 24 strong entry, for this years IRRC Superbike championship.
High Profile championship newcomers Todd, Mathison, part of the Penz 13 run Wepol Road Racing fold, whilst new to competition at venues including Terlicko, Chimay and Imatranajo, have the undoubted credentials to be in the mix throughout the season, for top five finishes or better.
Photo by Rod Neill
In particular, lead Mountain Course newcomer of 2018 Todd, who starred last year at Frohburg, is considered by many a dark horse for title honours.
New team mate Marek Cerveny, runner up within the 2017 championship to Sebastien Le Grelle, has the proven pedigree, growing 1000cc experience, determination and raw talent, to dominate this season.
Photo by Robby Repsol
Touted regularly as the Czech Republic’s current leading closed roads exponent, it wouldn’t at all be a surprise if come late September, he’s crowned Superbike class champion, for the first time.
Fellow multi IRRC champion Didier Grams, is another undoubted prime title contender. Directly backed this year by BMW Motorrad, he’s the only rider within the quality entry, who has prior experience of scooping the IRRC Superbike crown.
Photo by Robby Repsol
Outside of series greats Cerveny and Grams, added potential championship front runners include 38 Motorsport/XLMOTO backed Erno Kostamo, series returnee Virgil Amber Bloemhard and 2012 Newcomers A Manx GP winner, Kamil Holan.
Additional notable entrants include Lukas Maurer, Pavel Tomecek, Tomas Borovka, Ales Nechvatal, sole Honda mounted competitor Kurt Haek and Thilo Gunther.
We must mention as well that reigning series champion Danny Webb, will only be sampling selected series rounds this year, as he focuses on the World Endurance Championship.
Since it’s inception in 2010, the International Road Racing Championship, has steadily grown in stature, within the pure roads fraternity.
In my opinion, it’s now the most notable series/championship to comprise of roads circuits, since the TT Formula TT series, of the 1980’s, which was dominated by great names such as Joey Dunlop, Carl Fogarty, Steve Hislop, Brian Reid and Tony Rutter.
Photo by Nick Wheeler
With this in mind, it’s no wonder the IRRC, is becoming an attractive proposition to top level racers from the UK, showcased by Davey Todd and Daley Mathison, who alongside former champions, an abundance of hungry rising stars, provide the series, with one of it’s strongest entry’s to date.
Words by Stevie Rial
