By Taking in closed roads competition for the first time is a major, bold new challenge for all bike racers.
It’s been no different for Cupar Motorcycles supported Kelly Carruthers. His first pure roads tilt arose at August’s three day Barry Sheene Classic at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough.
Going onto record three top 15 finishes from Supersport B encounters, Carruthers echoed nothing but positivity when reflecting on his maiden Scarborough outing.
“That was a blast. I was in the middle of the Supersport B races all weekend on the Suzuki GSX-R600, I think 10th was my highest place.
There was some brilliant racing and the track was pretty exciting too. I took a lot of confidence away from Scarborough having not really shown much potential at the handful of short circuit meetings I had done the previous season.”
Following the Barry Sheene Classic, Carruthers attentions then turned towards the KDM Hire Cookstown 100.
Speaking about his first taste of Irish road racing, he stated:
“Heading over to Cookstown was a cool wee adventure too and what a track (Orritor Circuit). I surprised myself qualifying 6th for the Senior Support A race.
And even though we got the weather Saturday morning, a minor technical issue meant I had to nurse it home in 13th. The whole meeting was just fantastic though and great fun.
I have really enjoyed my first taste of road racing at Oliver’s Mount and Cookstown this year and to be honest it’s just been great to just get out on the bike with everything that’s been going on.”
Moving forward to 2021, Carruthers ambitions include sampling Irish road races, plus he has one eye on tackling soon the Manx Grand Prix.
“Plan for next year is to get in as much road racing as I can afford, with at least a couple trips to Ireland on the cards hopefully.
I just want to keep building up my experience of the roads, with the aim of getting the opportunity to do the Manx GP in the near future. If this year is anything to go by, we’ll just need to see what happens though.
I need to say a massive thanks you to Leon Murphy, Cupar Motorcycles, my folks and Stuart Hamilton who make it all happen with their help. Stuart’s given me a Kawasaki ZXR400 to race that I’m hoping to get out on next year too.”
Words by Stevie Rial
