By A last-minute addition to the Greenall Racing fold, Republic of Ireland’s fastest TT speedster Brian McCormack opened his maiden Manx GP account on Sunday, in the best possible way by topping the Classic Superbike times sheet.
Lapping close to the 121-mph lap mark, McCormack finished fastest by just under one second in front of Greenall team-mate Rob Hodson.
Reflecting on the opening timed action of practice week, the former Irish Superbike Champion stated:
“It was good, it was surprising, I didn’t really know until I heard on the radio about an hour later, that I was quickest, I was like alright that’s a surprise.
I set off with a couple of quick lads and I caught one or two and Michael Rutter set off with me and I didn’t see him either so I knew I was going ok.
The bike (ZXR 750 Kawasaki) was brilliant, I didn’t how hard to keep going or pushing but feels really good from the word go, so see what tonight brings.”
Open race winner last month at Faugheen, McCormack stated that he felt he should have won the feature Grand Final encounter, before hitting a neutral.
“It was good fun should have won all 1000cc races to be honest but I hit neutral in the Grand Final and ran on, road end.
But it was good to win, my home race, so was good fun, hopefully we’ve got one or two more rounds at home.”
The Waterford racer went onto add, that he made the decision to return to Faugheen, to support the national roads scene and the always hard-working event organisers.
“That’s kind of why I went to Faugheen, they were struggling really for numbers, so I said you know it’s my local club, they’ve always supported me, so I said lets’ go up there and have a bit of fun and see if we can get more people there.
But it was a good meeting, big crowds, sunshine so it was great.”
Taking place next month, the returning Mid Antrim 150 hosts the final Irish road race of 2022 and McCormack disclosed this morning that he could be competing.
“I’ve an entry in but we don’t know, we’ll see closer to the time, see what the weathers like.
Last time I was there we had to get toured into the paddock it was so bad, don’t fancy that.
So, we’ll see when we get closer, more BSB events coming up at Oulton and Donington.”
Looking towards TT 2023, the 12 times top 20 TT finisher stated that he will definitely be back on IOM shores next year.
“Definitely will be back, don’t know with who or what yet but I think we have something sorted, maybe stay where I am hopefully with who I’m with maybe and give it a good go next year, after the disappointment this year, we’ll see how it goes, we’ll get over this week first!”
Photo credit: Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
