By Back in April, prior to the opening Irish road race of the year, the JFM Haulage Mid Antrim 150, many where predicting that 2015 Senior Manx GP winner Malachi Mitchell Thomas, would make an eye catching debut.
They where proved more than right as Malachi it’s fair to say stole the show at Mid Antrim, with his series of world class performances.
Having shown impressive form in the qualifying sessions, the opening Supersport race of the meeting, saw him storm to race victory, as he mastered ultra tricky wet and damp conditions, on the Cookstown BE Racing CBR 600 Honda.
Race day at Mid Antrim, began for the lightning quick Irish roads newcomer, with another race win, this time in the second Supersport encounter, as Malachi again proved the class of the field.
Photo by Rod Neill
Next up was the Open race, a race long battle with his Cookstown BE Racing team mate Derek Sheils, saw him in the end edge out the 2013 Irish road race Superbike champion, to make it a quite momentous hat trick of victories.
It so nearly became four wins in a day in the Super Twins race, following a thrilling race long duel with Ryan Farquhar, Malachi ultimately finished in second place, just 0.078 behind his illustrious counterpart.
Malachi’s prodigious Mid Antrim 150 debut, ended with another second place finish, this time in the Grand Final.
Photo by Rod Neill
On this day at the Mid Antrim 150, Malachi Mitchell Thomas showcased to everyone, why many predicted prior to the start of the season, that he could cause quite an impression on the Irish roads scene.
Although we never got to see him fulfil his undoubted potential, he left an undoubted legacy, of been in my opinion the most naturally talented road racer, that has graced pure road racing for multiple years.
Words by Stevie Rial
