On This Day In History: 26th April

Six years ago today the Irish road racing season for 2014 got underway at the KDM Hire Cookstown 100.

This meet is remembered for various reasons but perhaps most of all for the drama filled eight lap feature race. Just over 2.2 seconds covered the top four finishers whilst an Orritor Circuit newcomer took the race spoils!

Tyco Suzuki’s William Dunlop completed the eighth and last lap of the race, first on the road, on aggregate timing though it was Cookstown BE Racing’s Dan Kneen who grabbed the victory by only 0.349 of a second.

This wasn’t the first time that aggregate timing had stopped the TAS Racing run Tyco Suzuki team, from enjoying success, including notably the 2011 Ulster GP feature Superbike race when Guy Martin lost out to second wave starter, Padgetts Bruce Anstey.

Photo by Rod Neill

No matter the way the result was decided, one aspect everyone could agree back in 2014 was the fact that the Cookstown 100 Grand Final thrilled, captivated the knowledgeable spectators track side.

Others to begin their 2014 roads seasons in fine style at Cookstown included Open Championship race victor Derek Sheils, Michael Dunlop (Supersport A/Super Twins winner) despite nursing an arm injury from the opening BSB round at Brands Hatch.

Photo by Rod Neill

Hunmanby’s James Neesom (Senior Support B winner), yesteryear racing greats Philip Shaw, Barry Davidson and Robert McCrum and 250 class victor, future Duke Road Race Rankings Champion Michael Sweeney.

Words by Stevie Rial