Manx Grand Prix – junior race preview
The junior Manx Grand Prix always produces close and exciting racing and for this year as well we have some real road racing stars entered in the race! Having finished in the top 20 of the senior TT back in 2009 Kiaran Hankin returns to racing on the mountain course at this years Manx Grand Prix on his Honda CBR 600 supersport bike. Most recently Kiaran finished 3rd in the Cock of the north road races at Scarborough, Oliver’s Mount and will be looking for a podium finish on his return to the Manx Grand Prix races.
Former junior Manx Grand Prix winner in 2010 Michael Sweeney returns again this year now riding at the Manx this year for the Martin Bullock Manxsport team. Michael’s main aim will be to repeat his junior race win of two years ago. Another rider to have finished on the podium in the junior Manx Grand Prix before Philip Mcgurk returns again this year on the Springcourt motorcycles Honda 600. Returning to the Manx Grand Prix this year include the likes of Stephen Harper, Rodger Wibberley, Simon Perkin and Ciaran O’Callaghan all will be aiming for good returns to the mountain course based circuit.
4th place finisher last year in the 600 race James Coward is back this year aiming for race victory on the Barnes racing Yamaha R6. Also back this year is the 2nd and 3rd place finishers in last years junior Manx Grand Prix race Paul Smyth and Stephen Mcknight. Southern 100 and Jurby road races specialist Andy Fenton is entered on a Yamaha R6 plus also entered from the Isle of Man is sidecar racer Glyn Jones. Twice Manx Grand Prix podium finisher in 2010 Wayne Kirwan returns riding for the Crossan Motorcycles team on a Yamaha R6.
A lot of the top newcomers this year at the Manx Grand Prix will all be in contention for solid and consistent results in the junior Manx Grand Prix race as well, they include riders like John Simpson on the Splitlath Redmond Motorsport Triumph 675 Daytona who recently retained the Welsh open title at the Abedare park road races. One of the most interesting bikes entered is the Moriwaki 600 of Alan Jackson current Manx Grand Prix winner and will race for the Wa Corless Joinery/Jackson racing team aiming for a top result. Racing in the supersport 600 class is going from strength to strength and its no different for this years junior Manx Grand Prix.