By Racing at last year’s Armoy Road Races began in thrilling, drama filled style as a selection of Irish Road Racing’s biggest stars treated the track side crowd to a Supersport sizzler.
My report from last July on all the twists and turns of another ultra stimulating Armoy Supersport race stint, reads as follows:
Mullingar’s Derek McGee has been officially declared by Armoy Road Race organisers, Hilton Car Sales Supersport winner, after a photo-finish alongside Dafabet Devitt Racing’s Paul Jordan.
Race leader throughout, 2018 Duke Road Race Rankings champion McGee in the closing laps of a quite thrilling Supersport race, was put under intense pressure by middleweight class pole sitter Jordan.
Photo by Rod Neill
There was nothing in it on the seventh and final lap, as McGee and Jordan in ultra close proximity ventured towards the start-finish. At first it seemed as though YZF R6 Yamaha mounted Jordan had claimed race spoils.
It was soon then announced that McGee was in fact the race winner by only 0.012 of a second!
Confirmed race runner up Jordan, went onto be involved in a post race incident with McGee, from which both emerged without injury.
0.76 behind Jordan, McGee in finalising the podium finishers was Michael Sweeney, who just got the better of a determined Michael Dunlop in the battle for third.
Darryl Tweed banked fifth, whilst the top six was completed by lead Armoy newcomer Michael Browne.
Davies Motorsport’s Dominic Herbertson finished seventh, DTR (Danny Tomlinson Racing) supported Sam West was eighth, James Chawke placed ninth as 2016 Senior Manx GP winner Tom Weeden completed the top ten finishers.
Weeden’s BE Racing In Conjunction with Richardson Kelly Racing team mate Derek Sheils, was a notable non finisher, crashing out of contention on lap three.
Sheils emerged from the incident non injured, whilst additional non finishers were Skerries Andy Farrell and Logan Racing’s Neil Kernohan.
Words by Stevie Rial
