By After a lengthy delay due to inclement weather, and mixed conditions around the Orritor course, 1000cc race action finally this afternoon embarked upon Cookstown, with an entertaining seven lap Royal Hotel Open (A) race.
Maintaining his big bike dominance at Cookstown, it was BE Racing in Conjunction With Richardson Kelly Racing’s Derek Sheils who reigned supreme, retaining in great style the Open (A) race crown.
Photo by Rod Neill
Never headed within the seven lap race, held in tricky damp conditions, multi Irish Road Race Superbike champion Sheils, showcased again his proven capabilities aboard 1000cc machinery.
Photo by Road Racing Daily
Leading the challenge to GSX-R 1000 Suzuki mounted Sheils, was McAdoo Kawasaki’s Adam McLean, who finished just over 3.3 seconds behind.
Completing the podium finishers was Mullingar’s Derek McGee, who made it three podium finishes from three races today, having already clinched 125/Moto 3/Supersport 300, Super Twins (A) race victories.
Reigning Newcomers A Manx GP champion Thomas Maxwell finished a fine fourth, whilst Paul ‘Potchy’ Williams and Logan Racing’s Neil Kernohan also quietly hugely impressed, in recording fifth, sixth place finishes.
Finalising the first ten finishers were Stephen McKnight, Paul Jordan, Martin Jones Racing’s Michael Sweeney and Team DHR’s Darryl Tweed.
Outside of the top ten finishers, others to catch the eye with their solid, consistent pace included Cornwall’s Forest Dunn (13th), Sean Seddon (15th) and lead Orritor circuit debutant Lee Hembury (18th).
KDM Hire Cookstown 100: Royal Hotel Open (A) race results are as follows:
1 Derek Sheils
2 Adam McLean
3 Derek McGee
4 Thomas Maxwell
5 Paul Williams
6 Neil Kernohan
7 Stephen McKnight
8 Paul Jordan
9 Michael Sween
10 Darryl Tweed
11 Kevin Fitzpatrick
12 Paul Gartland
13 Forest Dunn
14 Paul Cranston
15 Sean Seddon
16 Brad Vicars
17 Damian Horan
18 Lee Hembury
19 Adrian Harrison
20 Tom Weeden
Words by Stevie Rial
