By Simply dominant, unrelenting pace, relentless consistency, were terms you could apply to runaway Kells Grand Final victor Derek Sheils.
As in the Open race, in formidable form aboard the BE Racing In Conjunction With Richardson Kelly Racing Suzuki, 2016 Irish Road Race Superbike champion Sheils Grand Final race winning margin, stood at an incredible 14.9 seconds!
Photo by Road Racing Daily
Leading the challenge to the on top form Sheils was Supersport race winner Paul Jordan. Piloting his own teams YZF R6 Yamaha, the amiable Jordan showcased again why he is regarded as one of Irish Road Racing’s fastest, most highly rated next generation talents.
Thomas Maxwell impressed again on route to finishing a fine third, whilst Cornwall’s Forest Dunn as within the prior Open race, produced an excellent all round performance, finishing a fine fourth.
Fifth, sixth place finishers respectively Kevin Fitzpatrick, Team DHR’s Gareth Keys also enjoyed productive race voyages, as seventh, eighth place finishers Darryl Tweed and experienced TT Races competitor Alan Connor.
Concluding the first ten finishers were Paul Gartland and Ulster GP 125/Moto 3 victor, Michal ‘Indi’ Dokoupil.
In total 15 racers completed the seven lap race, with just two racers from the 17 strong entry retiring out of contention, Martin Jones Racing’s Michael Sweeney and Super Twins victor Andy Farrell.
Kells: Grand Final race result is as follows:
1 Derek Sheils
2 Paul Jordan
3 Thomas Maxwell
4 Forest Dunn
5 Kevin Fitzpatrick
6 Gareth Keys
7 Darryl Tweed
8 Alan Connor
9 Paul Gartland
10 Michal Dokoupil
11 Ryan Maher
12 Donald MacFadyen
13 Stephen Tobin
14 Noel Carroll
15 Stephen Casey
Words by Stevie Rial
