By Superbike:
Four times North West 200 winner Glenn Irwin enjoyed a quite momentous maiden race outing with Honda Racing, finishing runner-up in a gripping season opening British Superbike Championship race.
Finishing just 0.119 behind brother Andrew Irwin, the Irwin brothers showed again the already potent potential of Honda’s new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade.
Photo by Tommy Vennard
World’s fastest road racer, Peter Hickman who was involved in practice, qualifying incidents from which he emerged unharmed, had to settle for a solid 12th place finish.
Whilst International road racing’s final member of the BSB series, ON1 Racing’s Brian McCormack placed a very respectable 19th.
Superstock:
When re-capping National Superstock 1000 race action from a pure road racing fraternity perspective, one has to first talk about second place finisher, New Zealand roads front runner Damon Rees.
Son of Cemetery Circuit Races legend Tony Rees, the Antipodean it’s fair to say surprised many with his pace, ultra strong race craft to finish lead BMW runner in front of various established names including quickest North West 200 newcomer in history, Bathams Racing’s Richard Cooper.
Honda Racing’s Davey Todd also impressed with a top ten finish, Immingham’s Craig Neve got the better of 16 times TT winner for Ian Hutchinson for 16th place whilst International roads giants Dean Harrison, Michael Dunlop placed respectively 20th, 22nd.
Supersport:
Ashcourt Racing’s Lee Johnston opening race stint of 2020, ended with a creditable ninth place finish in class, overall 11th place finish.
Fellow Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough pace setter Joe Thompson piloting the Spirit Moto Corsa steed, took 15th overall, finished a more than creditable 6th in class.
Anticipated British GP2 front runner Alastair Seeley, looked set to be in prime contention for class honours before an incident on lap five of this afternoon’s 20 lap race, halted his charge.
Superstock 600:
Binch Racing’s Adam McLean bounced back from an incident during Superstock 600 Championship free practice two, to qualify a very creditable 14th for tomorrow’s 20 lap race.
McLean who in 2018 joined the Ulster GP winners circle, registered this morning a best lap time of 1 minute 11.567 seconds.
Ducati TriOptions Cup:
23 times TT victor John McGuinness, proved today he’s still more than a touch competitive on purpose built circuits, as the Mountain Course legend surged to a top five in the opening Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup race.
7th in qualifying, McGuinness equipped himself extremely well in race conditions with the Lund Group supported Ducati finishing in front of multiple upcoming talents including 11th place finisher, Craig Neve who’s TT CV includes no less than seven top 20 finishes.
Words by Stevie Rial
