Irish road racing 2016 by Derek Wilson

Irish Road Racing 2016.

ÂŠ 2017 Derek Wilson.

!"#$ Irish Road Racing Champions.

Superbike. Supersport. $?" Supertwin. Moto B (#!? Gp). !?"cc. Lightweight J""/J?"cc. Senior Support. Junior Support. !?"cc Classic. B?"cc Classic. ?""cc Classic. #"""cc Classic.

Derek Shells. William Dunlop. Derek Sheils. Adam McLean. Neil Kernohan. Michal Dokoupil. Michael Weldon. James Chawke. Philip Shaw. Barry Davidson. Ed Manly. Richard Ford.

!"#$ Ulster Road Racing Champions.

Superbike. Supersport. $?" Supertwin. Moto B (#!? Gp). !?"cc. Lightweight J""/J?"cc. Senior Support. Junior Support. !?"cc Classic. B?"cc Classic. ?""cc Classic. #"""cc Classic.

Derek Shells. William Dunlop. Malachi Mitchell-Thomas. Adam McLean. Neil Kernohan. Michal Dokoupil. Michael Weldon. James Chawke. Philip Shaw. Barry Davidson. Ed Manly. Jamie OĘźBrien. Richard Ford.

Front cover: Derek Sheils, Irish and Ulster Superbike Champion 2016.

All photographs copyright Derek Wilson 2016.

MID ANTRIM 150.

Mitchell-Thomas delights at Mid Antrim 150. Horrendous weather didn't spoil a great weekend's racing.

Despite the weather doing all in its power to wreck the meeting the Mid-

Antrim 150 was a terrific start to the Irish national road racing season. Paddock diﬃculties thanks to the wet winter saw competitors' vehicles having to be towed into the ‘field’ prior to the meeting and out again when racing was over. Friday qualifying was disrupted because of heavy rain, but to their credit the new Mid-Antrim 150 club members stuck with it and completed the scheduled including a Supersport race following qualifying. Race day started oﬀ dry, but racing was delayed for over an hour due to part of the track having to be washed with a tractor and ‘slurry spreader’ full of water. What a meeting it turned out to be for the Cookstown BE Team of John

Burrows and his riders, 20-year-old Malachi Mitchell-Thomas and Derek Sheils. 2015 Senior Manx Grand Prix winner Mitchell-Thomas, who was making his debut for both the team and the Irish national scene, was the Man of the Meeting taking three wins, two seconds and four fastest laps. Team mate Sheils was making his road race debut for the Burrows team and he won the wet Grand Final, was second in the championship Superbike race behind Mitchell-Thomas. Mitchell-Thomas (Honda) won the opening race of the meeting on Friday evening leading from start to finish, taking a 5.2sec victory over Michael Sweeney and the fastest lap of 96.788mph in the championship Supersport race reduced to four laps in very wet conditions.

Saturday saw much better conditions although the track was never at any stage 100% dry. In the opening Superbike race of the season over five laps of the 3.5 mile Clough Circuit there were three diďŹ&#x20AC;erent leaders with Ryan Farquhar debuting his new IEG Superstock BMW leading at the end of lap one with Sheils and Mitchell-Thomas close behind, a gap already opening to fourth-placed Michael Sweeney (MJR Kawasaki). The two Cookstown BE Suzuki riders went 1-2 on the second lap with Farquhar two seconds back in third, a similar distance in front of Sweeney. Lap four and Mitchell-Thomas hit the front with Sheils half a second behind; Sweeney into third eleven seconds behind Sheils, Farquhar dropping oďŹ&#x20AC; the pace into fourth. With his fastest lap of the race at 106.266mph Malachi was less than a second ahead of Sheils at the chequered flag with Sweeney fifteen seconds back in third. An excellent crowd of Irish road racing enthusiasts had a new hero to cheer. The weather had deteriorated for the six lap Grand Final, but again it was the Cookstown BE Suzuki duo at the front with Sheils leading on lap one, Mitchell-Thomas took over for three laps before Sheils led onto the last lap by 0.062sec and with the fastest lap of 102.815mph won by 4.7secs from Mitchell-Thomas, who settled for second. Sweeney, having a good day was again third 1.3secs back with Colin Stephenson on his 600cc Yamaha fourth and veteran Paul Cranston fifth.

Sam Dunlop.

Rhys Hardisty.

Michael Sweeney.

Paul Jordan.

Ryan Farquhar.

Sweeney harried Mitchell-Thomas for five laps of the second Supersport race for four of the six laps before Mitchell-Thomas put the hammer down on lap five with the fastest lap of 105.094mph to take a winning lead of 2.4secs over the Skerries rider with young Paul Jordan a terrific third ahead of Wayne Kirwan and Stephenson. Nineteen riders qualified for the Supertwin race, but only 10 came to the grid, however the race at the front between ‘old hand’ Farquhar and new kid on the block Mitchell-Thomas was fast and furious throughout the six laps. It all went down to the final run from Clough Hairpin, through the fast Alexanders Jump to the final bumpy swoop at full chat past the chequered flag Farquhar getting the verdict by 0.078sec with Mitchell-Thomas setting the fastest lap on the final circuit of 97.026mph Farquhar made it a double when he won the Lightweight 400/450cc race on his SGS-KMR 450cc Kawasaki nine seconds ahead of Sweeny (400cc Yamaha), while local rider Neill Kernohan won the concurrently ran 250GP race on the Logan Honda The Junior and Senior Support races were a Scottish benefit with the immaculate Shirlaw’s Motorcycles 650cc Kawasaki’s of Marc Ironside and Kris Duncan running 1-2 in formation, Ironside taking his debut victory on the roads by less than a second from his team mate. Czech female rider Veronica Hankocyova was a creditable sixth of seventeen finishers. Duncan switched to his 600cc Shirlaw’s Kawasaki for the Senior Support and secured his maiden road race success 2.2secs ahead of two more Scots Allan Brodie (600cc Yamaha) and Sean Seddon (Triumph 675cc). The eagerly awaited road race debut of Gary Dunlop (125cc Joey’s Bar Honda), son of the late 26-time TT winner Joey, saw him finish in fifth position in the Moto3/125GP race just 0.189sec behind his more experienced cousin Sam, the race won by Paul Jordan by half a second from 20-year old Adam McLean, both 125cc Honda mounted. In the concurrently ran 250cc two-stroke race Welshman Rhys Hardisty won by just over a second from Paul Robinson. Local rider Barry Davidson (350cc Honda) cakewalked the Junior Classic four-lapper forty eight seconds clear of Freddie Steward while in the poorly supported Senior Classic race saw Isle of Man rider Allan Brew on Mike and Dawn Jacobs Seeley G50 win by eight seconds from Gary Jamison. An absolute terrific start to the Irish ‘Between the Hedges’ season and what a debut for Malachi Mitchell-Thomas. He came, saw and conquered in diabolic conditions on the narrow bumpy roads around Clough. A far cry from the 37¾ mile Mountain Circuit where he first shot to road race fame last September, having graduated through the British Superstock 600cc scene. Definitely a shrewd signing by John Burrows.

Malachi Mitchell-Thomas.

Tandragee 100.

Kneen takes first Mar-Train win at Tandragee. Feature race win but an appeal over the Superbike result.

The Around A Pound Tandragee 100, showed oﬀ Irish national road racing at its very, very best. Sunshine, perfect conditions, huge crowd, scintillating on-track action, lap records, controversy and all well-managed by the North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club. Ryan Farquhar was a treble winner in the Open, Supertwin and Moto450 with lap records in both, Dan Kneen got his roads campaign oﬀ to a winning start for Mar-Train Yamaha while William Dunlop was the master of the Supersport race and new star Malachi Mitchell-Thomas left with a second and three thirds on his debut around the superb 5.34 mile Co. Armagh circuit. The feature Grand Final race was red-flagged on lap two after Joe Newbould from Gloucester crashed and was transferred to hospital for precautionary checks. The five lap restart saw Kneen, a winner here in 2014, give the MarTrain Yamaha team their first victory at the event. From pole position the Manxman eased into the lead and on the second lap came within 0.6 sec of Michael Dunlop’s outright lap record to open up a two and a half second lead over Derek Sheils on the John Burrows Cookstown BE Suzuki. At the chequered flag, the winning margin for 28-year-old Kneen, who put in the fastest lap of the day at 108.899mph, was five seconds over Sheils who had six and a half seconds to spare over Mitchell-Thomas with McGee and William Dunlop nudging in front of Farquhar on lap three; the IEG BMW rider dropping back to sixth with a small handling problem. Kneen said afterwards, “I really enjoyed the racing today and great to get my first win for the Mar-Train boys. It was just a case of keeping my concentration when in front and bringing the bike home.”

The controversy came in the opening race, McCrumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Motorcycles Open, with Dan Kneen taking the chequered flag from Derek Sheils and Ryan Farquhar (IEG BMW). Sheils had led the opening three laps before Kneen took over at the front with the fastest lap of the race at 108.490mph to take a 1.807sec lead over Sheils onto the last lap with Farquhar closing the gap on the Dubliner to half a second. Kneen stretched his advantage over Sheils to almost five seconds with Farquhar back in third and a further twelve and a half seconds back to William Dunlop on the MSS Colchester Superstock Kawasaki. Word soon spread that a protest had been lodged against the first two riders for allegedly jumping the start, and a one minute penalty was handed to Kneen and Sheils, dropping them to 10th and 11th, respectively, with Farquhar promoted to race winner from Dunlop and Malachi MitchellThomas in third.

Derek Sheils.

Mitchell-Thomas shot into the lead of the Supersport race and led Kneen and Dunlop for the opening two laps. On lap three Dunlop was into second and hounding the Bolton 20-year-old taking the lead on lap four with Kneen also edging past Mitchell-Thomas into second.These three were setting a scorching pace 27 seconds clear of Michael Sweeney in fourth and an impressive ride from Joe Newbould in fifth.

Dunlop gave the CD â&#x20AC;&#x201C; IC Yamaha its head on the final lap, setting the quickest speed of 107.310mph to win by 1.2secs from Kneen and Mitchell-Thomas with Sweeney, Newbould and a great ride from Paul Jordan completing the top six.

Malachi Mitchell-Thomas.

The 125GP race saw the Joeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar Honda in the hands of Sam Wilson win by two and a half seconds from Adam McLean with Paul Robinson a close third.

Ryan Farquhar.

Shaun Anderson. The five-lap Supertwin race was a duel of the most experienced and the newcomer, Farquhar versus Mitchell-Thomas, SGS KMR Kawasaki versus Cookstown BE Kawasaki. And what a thriller it was as the pair duelled in the sun, the outcome of the race only decided at the final bend on the last lap. Farquhar led into Bells Crossroads with Mitchell-Thomas trying a late out-braking manoeuvre that took him slightly wide, allowing Farquhar to sweep inside and cross the finish line a second ahead of his rival, setting a new lap record of 103.694mph in the process. Such was their dominance that third place man Derek Sheils, having a rare outing on a Supertwin, was 22 seconds behind his Cookstown BE team-mate coming through from the second group of riders on corrected time.

Derek Sheils.

The Junior Support saw James Chawke taking the McKinstry 650cc Kawasaki to a 10-second victory over Scottish rider Scott Miller (400cc Kawasaki) and the Flexipatch 400cc Yamaha of Warren Reeve third.

Dan Kneen.

Dan Kneen having a back marker moment.

Farquhar won the 450cc race with a new lap record of 96.857mph

COOKSTOWN 100.

LOCAL HEROES Cookstown Burrows Engineering team dominates Cookstown 100.

John Burrows went home from the KDM Hire Cookstown 100 a happy man, having seen his riders Derek Sheils and Malachi Mitchell-Thomas dominate both Superbike and Supertwin races. The only downside was a Mitchell-Thomas crash in the opening Supersport race that left him uninjured, but put his Honda out of commission for the rest of the day. William Dunlop continued his monopoly of the Supersport class with a double success on the CD-IC Yamaha. Within a few miles of the famous Cookstown pork-producing plant, the Cookstown Burrows Engineering team sizzled on the 2.1mile Orritor Circuit, with Sheils dominating both the Royal Hotel Open class and the feature KDM Cookstown 100 race leading both from start to finish and setting the fastest lap of the day at 89.965mph. None the worse for his spill in the first race of the day, Mitchell-Thomas made it a Burrows 1-2 in the feature KDM Hire-sponsored race following Sheils home some ten and a half seconds adrift at the chequered flag, with Mar-Train Yamaha rider Dan Kneen a similar distance back in third. Derek McGee, William Dunlop and Brian McCormack, having his first road outing since Macau last year, completed the top six. In the Open six-lapper, McGee on the Williamson BMW chased Sheils home five seconds behind at the chequered flag, Mitchell-Thomas taking the final step on the rostrum four and a half seconds behind the Mullingar rider. The top six was completed by Kneen, McCormack (Tag Honda) and Dunlop (MSS Colchester Kawasaki). Sheils commented on his day saying, “I came here today with a plan to win the Superbike races and I accomplished that mission, never under any pressure, as I controlled both from start to finish. The Supertwin result was a bit of a bonus really and today has been a terrific day for John and his sponsors.” Burrows himself was over the moon, “To take three wins on home turf is brilliant. It’s extra special to do it in front of the local fans and I’m especially pleased for our title sponsor Cookstown. Derek and Malachi were superb on the day, as were the whole Cookstown BE crew. The success was 12thoroughly deserved.”

Held over from Friday evening practice and qualifying because of a strong setting sun (yes we do see it in Northern Ireland – sometimes) the six-lap Supersport invitation race was ran under patchy conditions on Saturday morning and it was here that Mitchell-Thomas hit a damp patch approaching Craigmount while in second position and crashed out sliding down the middle of the road on his tummy with the bike taking more damage than its pilot, who got up and walked away uninjured. The race was stopped and the result taken from lap five with Dunlop taking the victory coming from the second row of the grid to snatch the lead from Derek McGee at half distance going on to win by almost three seconds from Manxman Kneen and McGee, with pole position man Paul Jordan less than half a second behind McGee in fourth. Dunlop made it a double by employing the same tactics in the championship Supersport race 2.8secs ahead of McGee at the chequered flag with Kneen just 0.3secs behind in third with James Cowton, Jordan and Michal ‘Indy’ Dokoupil rounding out the top six.

William Dunlop.

Supersport ‘B’ was won by Timothy Elwood from Tommy Henry and Brad Vicars.

Derek Sheils.

Derek Sheils leads Malachi Mitchell-Thomas.

The closest race of the day came in the six-lap Supertwin race where the first lap leader was Sheils,not known for his prowess in this particular class, but team mate MitchellThomas taking over at the front on lap two with a train of 650cc Kawasakis lining up behind him. Sheils made a mistake on lap three allowing James Cowton, pole man Dokoupil and Jordan past him. Cowton set the fastest lap of 84.237mph on the fourth lap but was unable to make a move on Mitchell-Thomas who won by a second, on his Cookstown 100, debut from the Cowton Racing by Radcliﬀe’s Kawasaki. Dokoupil was a further 0.4sec back in third, with Jordan Sheils and Stephen McKnight completing the leader board. Supertwin ‘B’ saw Colin Bowles (Suzuki) take the win in a race that saw Australian Alexander Pickett, in his Irish road race debut finish in sixth position. The Moto3/125GP race saw local rider Jordan dominate, taking a five second victory from Adam McLean with the first of three Joey’s Bar Hondas in third position ridden by Sam Wilson. Derek McGee rode the second of the Ballymoney Hondas into fourth position with team boss Gary Dunlop finishing seventh having ran wide at McAdoo’s Bend mid-race. Two Ballymoney riders, Seamus Elliott and Darryl Tweed were first and second in the Supersport 400cc race, three-quarters of a second separating them at the chequered flag, with Elliott ahead of his rival who set the fastest lap of 79.912mph. In a packed programme of racing superbly run by Clerk of the Course Francis Everard and the Cookstown Club, James Chawke won the Junior Support ‘A’ race by ten seconds from Scott Miller and Paul Hurley. The ‘B’race was won by Michael Brookes from Stephen Morrison, making a welcome return to the track from his Tandragee 100 crash just a week previous. Senior Support saw John Horgan triumph from Michael Weldon and Mike Norbury while Leon Murphy won the ‘B’ encounter from Vic Allan and in the Classic events Barry Davidson won the Junior event on his Dempster Honda from George Stinson and Sam Kinkead with Richard Ford taking Bob Jackson’s 920cc Norton to a half second win in the Senior Classic from Jamie O’Brien, who had taken a nasty spill from his 125cc Honda during practice the evening before. A ‘dolly mixture’ race for Forgotten Era, 400/450cc and Supersport non-qualifiers saw Anthony McColgan, Alastair Haworth and Allan Brodie the class winners.

Malachi Mitchell-Thomas leads Derek Sheils.

Derek McGee.

Dan Kneen.

Derek McGee.

William Dunlop.

Brian McCormack.

NORTHWEST 200.

Dunlop Takes Superbike Win And Lap Record. Course record broken by half a second in a 123mph lap.

The Vauxhall International North West 200 had all the ingredients to be a first class opener to the international road racing season. For the first time in ten years there was sunshine, blue skies, calm seas, a fresh, but cold breeze and a world class entry of the best road racers in the world. What unfolded was a spectacular, dramatic and tragic event that saw records broken, incredible high-speed slipstreaming at over 200mph, but ended in the devastating death of 20-year-old Malachi Mitchell-Thomas in the second Supertwin race of the meeting, with the two remaining races on the programme abandoned as a mark of respect. But it was Michael Dunlop that rewrote the record books on his way to a sensational Anchor Complex Superbike race victory. The Hawk BMW rider set a new outright lap record of 123.207mph for the 8.97 mile Triangle Circuit, half a second inside the existing record that Josh Brookes set in 2014. In fact Dunlop was the only rider to top the 123mph mark this year. Alastair Seeley and Dunlop had been separated by 0.017sec in qualifying and a battle was anticipated, however it never materialised with Seeley having front brake problems and running up the slip road at University Corner on lap one. Meanwhile Ian Hutchinson (Tyco BMW) led from Bruce Anstey (Valvoline Honda) Gary Johnson (Penz13.com BMW), Lee Johnston (ECC Burdens BMW), Dunlop and Peter Hickman (GB Moto Kawasaki) at the end of lap one. On lap two Anstey powered the supposedly-aged Honda through the speed trap at a record 209.8mph, yes 209.8mph, and at Ballysally was back in fourth position behind Hutchinson, Johnson and Dunlop. At the end of the lap two Gary Johnson was out and Hutchinson still led with Dunlop through to second ahead of Lee Johnston, Anstey, Hickman, Michael Rutter and Conor Cummins (Honda). Seeley, meanwhile, was scorching through the field with the fastest lap at 122.290mph and by lap three was into ninth.

Michael Dunlop.

A gearbox problem with Hutchy’s machine allowed Dunlop to take the lead by Ballysally from Anstey, Rutter and the Tyco BMW on lap four, but at Church Corner Anstey mangled the Honda when he crashed out, luckily the Kiwi was uninjured. The top eight had swept past the finish line into lap five when the red flags were displayed following Anstey’s accident. The top eight declared as the result, with the rest of the field classified on their third lap positions. Dunlop’s fourth lap was a record breaker, travelling around the 8.97mile circuit in 4m 22.095secs, a speed of 123.207mph, to beat Hutchinson by 5.206secs with Rutter taking his 27th North West 200 podium in third position 0.318secs behind the Tyco BMW and 0.162secs ahead of fourth finisher Hickman. An ebullient Dunlop said, “The big dog was up for the big win. The boys worked their butts off and gave me a great package. When I got into the lead I pulled the pin to see who could come with me knowing I had a wee bit left. The lap record shows we have a bit of pace and it’s another win to my tally around here and on the big bike makes it nicer. Things are hunky-dory.” What a day for veteran Rutter, who rode his first North West 200 in 1992 and since then has had 13 wins, seven seconds and seven thirds to his credit while John McGuinness, who made his debut two years later recorded three top ten finishes at the event.Seeley was up to eighth when the race was stopped after a storming ride while Jeremy McWilliams, in his first Superbike ride at the North West 200, was credited with tenth position riding the Mar-Train Yamaha. 19

The final two races for Superstock and Superbike were abandoned because of the fatal accident in the Supertwin race.

Michael Dunlop.

BMWs Dominate Superstock Race Ian Hutchinson scored his first North West 200 win since 2010 when he blasted the Tyco BMW to victory in the five-lap Spidi Superstock race, setting a new lap record in the process. But the drama started even before the warm-up lap when a delay was announced as the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) dealt with a security incident at University Corner, where they apparently removed people behaving in an unruly manner, also discovering drugs at the scene. Then on the warm-up lap Martin Jessopp high-sided exiting Magherabuoy Chicane uninjured. The race had only reached Ballysally Roundabout on lap two with Alastair Seeley leading from Hutchy, Peter Hickman, Michael Rutter and Lee Johnston when the red flags came out after James Hillier crashed at University Corner and knocked himself out. This resulted in him not being allowed to ride in any more races on the day. On the re-start over five laps both William Dunlop and Dean Harrison were missing, as both had missed the warm-up lap much to the displeasure of Nick Morgan of MSS Colchester Kawasaki. At Ballysally on lap one Rutter led Seeley and Hickman, the only Kawasaki in a bunch of BMWs. By Metropole Seeley was ahead and at the end of the opening lap led Rutter, Hutchinson, Hickman, Gary Johnson, Michael Dunlop and Lee Johnston in a freight train of horse power. Then, again at Ballysally on lap two, Hutchinson was in front from Rutter, Hickman and Seeley while Dunlop had flown through the speed trap at an astonishing 205.9mph on a BMW Superstock machine. Hutchy held onto the lead until Ballysally on lap three where Hickman took the lone GB Moto Kawasaki to the front, but Rutter slipstreamed into the lead at Magherabuoy Chicane as these magnificent men and their flying machines controlled the bucking and weaving basic street-bikes over the circuit bumps, sometime two or three abreast, or mere inches apart in the slipstream. At the end of lap three two seconds covered the top six of Rutter, Dunlop, Seeley, Hickman, Hutchinson and Lee Johnston. On lap four Dunlop pulled alongside Rutter and gave him a little wave at over 200mph, but at University the Bathams SMT rider kept his lead only to lose out on the run to Mathers Chicane to Dunlop, who led onto the fifth and final lap having set a new lap record of 121.772mph. It was anybody’s race and what a spectacle it was as Hutchinson, Rutter, Seeley and Dunlop were side-by-side on the top speed section of the circuit with Hickman right in their wheel tracks. Hutchy led at Ballysally on what was a furious lap and then at Magherabuoy Seeley slipstreamed from fourth into the lead in an amazing out-braking manoeuvre. At Metropole Seeley ran wide, went onto the yellow lines and spun up trying to get the power on. This allowed Hutchinson into the lead and Hickman into second and that's how they flashed across the finish line. Hutchy elated with his victory and a new lap record of 122.702mph on that final lap said, “I am absolutely thrilled to give Tyco BMW this win. I dropped back at one stage and just watched everyone and on the last lap it worked perfect. After the injury I spent years and years watching and I am so pleased to get back on the top step of the podium here. This is the team’s local event, the TT is mine.” Hickman on his first North West podium in his second year said, “The Kawasaki was fast, but not as fast as those others. I hadn’t enough gee-gees to pass them.” Seeley said, “I can’t be disappointed with a podium for the Briggs RAF Reserve BMW Team. I ran a bit wide into Metropole and Hutchy and Hicky took advantage. The Coast Road is not as easy to pass on now, as everybody knows where they should be into Juniper Chicane. It was good to see Hutchy win.” Michael Rutter, Dunlop, Lee Johnston and Gary Johnson made it six BMWs in the first seven places with Jeremy McWilliams standing in for the injured Dan Kneen brought the Mar-Train Yamaha home in a creditable eighth position. 20 There was slight controversy when the majority of the second wave of riders toured into the pits claiming they had seen a red flag and were classified as non-finishers.

Alastair Seeley.

Michael Rutter.

Hutchy was elated with his victory and a new lap record of 122.702mph on the final lap.

NORTHWEST 200

Seeley becomes Mr North West All time wins record taken by Alastair Seeley in the first Supersport race.

All eyes were on Alastair Seeley (Gearlink Kawasaki) as the grid formed for the six-lap Actavo Supersport race; the first event of the meeting on Thursday evening. The Carrickfergus rider was attempting to win his sixteenth race at the North West and move into top position in the all-time record wins total on (he was tied on fifteen with the late Robert Dunlop). Seeley had a moment of panic on the grid when he discovered he had arrived with no crash helmet, but his girlfriend Danni saved the day by turning up with the lid. Michael Dunlop’s meeting got off to the worst possible start though, when he was forced to pull off the grid with a technical issue. When the lights went out Seeley, from pole position, led the way only to be overtaken by surprise second qualifier Martin Jessopp (Riders Triumph) through Primrose. In ‘slipstream city’ as Seeley refers to it, riders were two or three abreast at 180mph, before hitting the brakes for University where Seeley was back in front from Jessopp, James Hillier (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) and John McGuinness (Jackson Honda). The lead chopped and changed before Metropole and the run along the Coast Road, to end lap one with Seeley leading from Lee Johnston (ECC / Burdens Triumph), Jessopp, Hillier, Ian Hutchinson (Came BPT Yamaha), William Dunlop (IC Caffrey Yamaha) and Michael Rutter (Bathams SMT Kawasaki) with two seconds covering the leading pack. Positions altered mile after mile behind Seeley with 1.4secs covering the top six, before Hutchy hit the front at half distance of the six laps. Seeley actually dropped back to fifth at one stage, before getting his second wind and putting on a surge that saw him back in front on the penultimate lap with a speed of 116.449mph to take a lead of 0.7sec onto the last lap from Hutchy, Jessopp, Dean Harrison (Silicone Kawasaki),

Bruce Anstey (Valvoline Padgetts Honda) and Dunlop, who had actually got his nose in front at one stage. On a clear track Seeley broke the class lap record with a speed of 117.835mph on his final circuit to take the chequered flag to become the rider with the most wins ever at the North West 200 – 16.Hutchinson was 1.3secs back in second position, Jessopp with a tremendous ride in third less than a second behind Hutchy, Dunlop fourth, Harrison fifth and Johnston sixth.

Anstey then dropped to tenth incurring a ten second penalty for going straight at Mill Road Roundabout. Newcomer Malachi Mitchell-Thomas making his North West 200 debut on the Cookstown BE Honda was eleventh just pipping the Trooper Beer /Iron Maiden Kawasaki of Peter Hickman by 0.125sec. A sensational race to start the 2016 North West 200. Seeley said, “This is a dream come true. As a boy I used to dream fantastic things and to be mentioned in the same breath as the Dunlops, well I’m just overwhelmed.

“I dropped to fifth at one stage, re-programmed my brain, hit all my markers and felt comfortable. I got back in front and had a wee ‘duke’ back at Magherabuoy Chicane and saw Hutchy about 70 yards behind, so I just rode a defensive line along the Coast Road to bring it home.” n interesting fact was that the six fastest machines through the speed trap were all over 180mph, William Dunlop the fastest at 184.5mph – astonishing for 600cc 23 machinery.

NORTHWEST 200

Fast Show Supersport bikes hit super speeds.

Michael Dunlop.

The 600 supersport class may be looking a bit poorly in terms of roadbike market share. But the North West 200 Supersport race proved these little bikes are far from old news when it comes to performance. The top eleven riders in Saturday's race were topping 180mph through the speed trap on the approach to University, with Ian Hutchinson's Yamaha R6 hitting 184.5mph: a stunning velocity for a 599cc bike. During the race itself, Alastair Seeley took the holeshot, with Jessopp ahead by York. On the run from Station Corner to University Seeley, Jessopp, McGuinness and Rutter were side by side with Rutter latest on the brakes to take the lead. By the end of the opening lap Lee Johnston was ahead of Jessopp, William Dunlop, Seeley, Rutter, Hillier, Hutchy, McGuinness, Anstey and Hickman. Michael Dunlop went through the speed trap at 184mph on lap two, but was forced to retire before the end of the lap. The General held onto the lead on lap two 0.3sec ahead of Dunlop with Seeley up to third 0.7sec behind Dunlop. Johnston was overhauled by Dunlop by Ballysally on lap three with Seeley and Hutchy right in the mix. Seeley then moved ahead at Metropole with a terrific late-braking move and then there was drama at Juniper Chicane when Hutchy dived underneath Johnston leaving the Maguiresbridge rider nowhere to go but up the slip road in what was a cheeky move at best. This cost Johnston two places, time and then a ten second penalty, which did not impress one little bit, as Johnston reckoned he might put in a protest if, “Any of my team can write,” he joked. “Seriously though, I’m not happy with the time penalty. It wasn’t my fault I was forced up the slip road and I did comply to the rules, I put my foot down and dropped places.” Lap four saw Dunlop retire with no clutch and a lap later Hutchinson was also out with a holed radiator that sent the temperature of the machine soaring. Bruce Anstey also retired, with a recurrent engine problem on his Honda. The Padgetts Valvoline team had flown in two replacement fuel tanks to Ireland on Friday, in an attempt to fix what they thought was fuel starvation. But the new tank didn't solve the issue, and the Kiwi pulled out on lap five. Seeley was clearing oﬀ at the front to take the chequered flag six and a half seconds clear of the in-form Jessopp who had eight seconds to spare over Hickman with Mitchell-Thomas a further 1.3secs back in fourth with another fine ride. Adding this win to his record-breaking victory in the first Supersport race gave Alastair Seeley a total of 17 NW200 wins - a fabulous result for him. Seeley reckoned, “I’m comfortable on the Supersport bike. The size of the bike and the size of me make for a good combination. I’m surprised I got it so easy, I watched my board and had a couple of looks back and just cruised home. To make it seventeen wins is incredible and dreams do come true.”

NORTHWEST 200.

Twin troubles in first Supertwin race. Trackside fire and Black Hill crash marred Thursday's leg.

A complete four-lap re-run started as the evening shadows lengthened and it was a battle from the word go, as a six-man freight train of riders ended lap one with Farquhar in front.

Ivan Lintin was declared the winner to take his first North West win.

Ivan Lintin.

Dramatic and tragic Supertwin races saw top riders injured and one of the most promising young road racers, 20-year-old Malachi Mitchell-Thomas, killed in an accident during the second race for the lightweight machines. The first race for the 650cc on Thursday evening was scheduled for four laps of the 8.97mile Triangle Circuit. Dan Cooper on pole powered away from the start with Mr Supertwin Ryan Farquhar and Martin Jessopp in hot pursuit. At the end of lap one Farquhar had his SGS Kawasaki in front of Cooper, James Hillier, Ivan Lintin, ex-MotoGP star Jeremy McWilliams, Jessopp and Christian Elkin. On lap two, with Farquhar still leading, the red flags came out after a freak fire broke out close to the track at Station Corner. A plume of black smoke was visible from the paddock area â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the result of an oil tank somehow catching light, unrelated to the racing. The blaze was out of control, and the fire brigade were deployed to deal with an inferno that had flames leaping high into the air. A complete four-lap re-run started as the evening shadows lengthened and it was a battle from the word go, as a six-man freight train of riders ended lap one with Farquhar in front of Cooper, Hillier, Lintin, McWilliams and Jessopp before a gap to Christian Elkin. A breakaway on lap two saw Farquhar, Cooper, Hillier and Lintin pull clear of McWilliams and Jessopp with Cooper in the lead at the end of the lap with a fastest lap of 108.347mph. Farquhar was back in front of Cooper at Metropole on lap three with Hillier and Lintin close behind.

Ryan Farquhar & Dan Cooper.

Then drama as Lintin led through the start and finish onto the last lap with Hillier in second. The red flags came out and it was clear that Farquhar and Cooper had crashed. It appeared as if the Dungannon man lost the front on the fast exit to Dhu Varren and Cooper, right in his slipstream, had nowhere to go. The pair tumbled up the road with Farquhar caught in the two machines and Cooper flying free to bounce down the footpath. A stunned silence settled on the crowd before it was announced that both riders had received non-life threatening injuries. Cooper came out of the crash best â&#x20AC;&#x201C; if you can call a pair of dislocated shoulders 'best'. The Stroud rider was discharged from Causeway Hospital on Friday morning and was back in the pits on Saturday. Farquhar was transferred with chest injuries to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where he underwent surgery on Thursday night for liver damage caused by a broken rib. He was released from the Royal Victoria Hospital's intensive care on Monday after his condition stabilised. Lintin was declared the winner to take his first North West win to add to his victories in the same class at the TT and Ulster Grand Prix, with Hillier in second place and McWilliams third.

Ivan Lintin.

NORTHWEST 200.

Lintin completes double as tragedy strikes race two. Dominant display overshadowed by death of Malachi MItchell-Thomas.

Malachi Mitchell-Thomas.

Malachi Mitchell-Thomas. during practice.

Prior to the second Supertwin race Jeremy McWilliams explained that the KMR Team of himself, Danny Webb and Canadian Darren James had a meeting and decided to take part in the race despite their team boss, Farquhar, recovering in hospital from his race one accident. In Saturday's second Supertwin race, Ivan Lintin, Martin Jessopp, Malachi Mitchell-Thomas and McWilliams led the way into York with Bardney rider Lintin taking advantage of the clear road ahead of him to open up a 1.4secs lead at the end of lap one, from a dice between Jessopp and Mitchell-Thomas for second. As the pair entered the chicane to start lap two the young Chorley rider edged underneath Jessopp,who took to the grass

and bounced from the pavement back onto the road in fourth as McWilliams took full advantage. Jessopp hit back and firstly sailed past 52-year old McWilliams and started to reel Mitchell-Thomas in, the pair side-by-side as they approached Magherabuoy Chicane. Lintin was flying and set a new lap record of 108.946mph as he took a 3.234sec lead over Mitchell-Thomas, who was back in second half a second ahead of Jessopp, suffering from an early off on the Superstock warm-up lap. On the run to University Jessopp was back into second and by Metropole had a substantial advantage over his young rival. Lintin crossed the finish line to start his final lap five seconds ahead of Jessopp, but the red

Martin Jessopp.

flags were displayed and news filtered through that Mitchell-Thomas had crashed heavily exiting Dhu Varren, almost in the same place where Farquhar and Cooper had crashed on Thursday evening. Despite all the endeavours of the MCUI medical team Malachi Mitchell-Thomas succumbed to his injuries at the scene. A result was declared and Lintin declared the winner from Jessopp and McWilliams. Lintin commented, “This feels more a genuine win than Thursday’s, but again it was brought to a stop early and there will be no celebrations.” 29

KELLS

Rain Stops Play Sunday washout brings a halt racing.

The North Meath Road Racing Club were struck another blow this year when racing had to be canceled when heavy rain brought the cancelation of Sunday race day. Saturday practice was dull and overcast but stayed dry till the final sessions but heavy overnight rain which continued well into Sunday producing large areas of standing water around the circuit left the organisers with no choice to call a halt to proceedings. This was the latest in a series of set backs for the club over the past few years but they insist they will be back stronger than ever in 2017.

Although not what would be called perfect conditions Saturday stayed dry until the final two practice sessions, William Dunlop secured pole position for the open and grand final races, following a close fought qualifying session. Riding his own YZF R1M Yamaha, William completed the circuit in 1 minute 14.117 seconds edgeing out nearest rivals Michael Sweeney and Derek Sheils, for the top spot, Derek McGee was fourth quickest with Brian McCormack qualifying fifth on the grid. Derek McGee qualified on pole for the supersport race beating William Dunlop into second with Sheila third. Adam McLean set the pace in the 125/Moto 3 class, Paul Jordan and Seamus Elliott finished second and third quickest, whilst Derek McGee on the Joeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar Racingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 125 was fourth fastest.

Adam McLean.

Derek McGee.

Derek Sheils.

Derek McGee.

Michael Sweeney.

Derek Sheils.

William Dunlop.

Derek McGee.

SKERRIES.

Dunlops do the double at Skerries. One apiece for brothers Michael and William.

What a 70th birthday the AXA Bikecare Skerries 100 produced – before the dreaded rain came. The monsoon forced organisers to cancel the Grand Final with the track in a treacherous state, and the qualifiers deciding to put on two parade laps for the huge crowd of spectators lining the famous 2.9 mile Co.Dublin circuit. Before the rain came though, Michael and William Dunlop had thrilled the crowd with victory in the Open and Supersport championship races. The seven lap Des D’Arcy Motors Open race was the first clash of the day and it was Derek Sheils from pole position who streaked away from the start. The end of lap two saw the Cookstown BE Suzuki of Burrows lead William by 1.7secs with Michael in third a further second back, while some three seconds further back came Derek McGee, Michael Sweeney and Alan 34 Bonner in a battle for fourth that lasted throughout the race.

By lap five, Sheils had stretched his lead to 2.4secs, looking comfortable. But Michael Dunlop on his own team's Superstock BMW (with huge support from the Skerries area) started to reel in the Caﬀrey International/IC R1 Yamaha of his brother and on lap six with a new absolute lap record of 110.817mph he was past William and closing hand over fist on Sheils. With all eyes on the final chicane, it was Michael who emerged first to take his eighth Skerries victory by half a second from Sheils with William easing oﬀ to finish seven seconds behind the Dubliner. In the tussle for the final leader board places it was the Devitt RC Express Kawasaki of Bonner who claimed fourth eight seconds behind William and a tenth of a second ahead of the MJR Kawasaki of Michael Sweeney with McGee (NW BMW) 1.5secs back in sixth.

In the Kennedy Motorcycle-sponsored Supersport seven-lapper it was William's turn to show his form, with a pole-to-chequered flag victory continuing his unbeaten class success story in the 2016 championship trail. But it wasn’t easy as McGee was closing lap after lap losing out in the end by just three-tenths of a second. It was Michael’s turn to play second fiddle, never able to get within striking distance of the top two, and finishing 1.7secs back in third – all three riders mounted on Yamaha R6s. William had the fastest lap of the race at 107.321mph; a second outside Michael’s 2011 lap record.

Sheils on John Burrows Honda was a further two and a quarter seconds back in fourth with up and coming Paul Jordan had a lonely ride in fifth sixteen seconds back of Sheils. Martin Bullock Full Factory Winnerswear sponsored the Supertwin race and local rider Michael Sweeney on his Kawasaki held oﬀ a strong challenge on wet roads from Sheils, less than a second separating them at the chequered flag. Thirteen seconds back in third was up and coming Paul Jordan. 35

Derek Sheils from pole position streaked away from the start.

Michael Dunlop.

Michael Sweeney.

The opening race of the day was the Peoples Junior Support race in which pole position man James Chawke seemed to be streaking to certain victory on his McKinstry Racing 650cc Kawasaki some fourteen seconds clear of the field, but in racing it’s never over until the chequered flag flies and on lap five of eight Chawke free-wheeled across the finish line with a dead engine attempting to bump start the ailing machine, but to no avail. This left Philip Crosbie in what he thought was the lead and he took the chequered flag, arm in the air presuming he had won. But coming through on corrected time from the second wave of riders, it was Jason Cash from Blanchardstown who took his first road race victory, seven and a half seconds clear of Crosbie, who could have done with a pit board telling him how the race was unfolding. Third place with the fastest lap of the race at 91.496mph was impressive Czech Republic female rider Veronika Hankocyova four seconds behind Crosbie and 1.9secs ahead of Paul O’Rourke. The 250 / 400cc six lap race saw Davy Morgan on his 25GP Honda come from fifth at the end of lap one to catch and pass the 400cc Yamaha of Seamus Elliott on the penultimate lap to win by just over four seconds and set the fastest lap of 97.535mph. Another Czech rider, Michal Dokoupil, was the second 400cc machine home in third overall with Darryl Tweed less than half a second back. The second 250cc machine across the finish line was the Logan Honda of Neil Kernohan in fifth overall. Andy Farrell and David Howard were the Open and Supersport non-qualifiers respectively. The Junior Classic race saw Barry Davidson triumph on his 350cc Honda, but just as he reached the chequered flag his machine developed a misfire, somewhat fortunate that the race had been reduced to six laps instead of seven. Ten and a half seconds behind Davidson came another Honda of Sean Leonard. The 250cc class was won by Jeﬀ Ward on a Suzuki heading home similar machines of Richard Ford and Brian Mateer. The Senior Classic was stopped and reduced to three-laps and won by Ed Manly by eight seconds from Robert McCrum and Manxman Allan Brew. Result of the stoppage – drunken idiots making it unsafe to keep racing. As the Moto3/125GP race completed their sighting lap the heavens opened and they had to return to the pits to change tyres before their five lapper. Derek McGee (Joey’s Bar Honda) led the way in soaking conditions, but was soon reeled in by pole man Adam McLean (Hanna Honda), who took the chequered flag by half a second from Athlone rider McGee. More rain before the Senior Support race saw local man Michael Weldon splash to a six second victory ahead of a near photo finish that saw John Horgan just get the nod for second ahead of Brian Coomey by 0.016sec with Sean Connolly twelve seconds back in fourth. The rain had stopped, but the track was in a very slippery condition especially on newly-resurfaced parts of the track and the AXA Bikecare Grand Final riders did not feel it was safe to race on and did the two parade laps instead. A disappointing end to the day that had started in record breaking fashion.

Derek McGee.

The rain had stopped, but the track was in a very slippery condition especially on newly-resurfaced parts of the track and the AXA Bikecare Grand Final riders did not feel it was safe to race on and did the two parade laps instead.

Michal Dokoupil.

Veronika Hankocyova.

Tommy Henry.

Alan Bonner.

WALDERSTOWN ROAD RACES.

Sheils wins the big one at Walderstown. Dubliner took a joint-best three wins at the meeting.

It was honours even at Walderstown Road Races on Sunday, with Derek Sheils, Michael Dunlop and Derek McGee winning the three main races on the 11-race programme. The feature Principal Insurance Race of the South Grand Final on drying roads saw a sensational win for the Cookstown BE Suzuki with Derek Sheils on board, catching and passing race leader Michael Dunlop (MD BMW) on the way to arguably his best victory to date. Dubliner Sheils set the fastest lap of the day at 102.592mph on the seventh and final lap to finish 2.451secs clear of 13-time TT winner and outright Mountain Circuit lap record holder Dunlop. Incidentally Dunlop holds the Walderstown outright lap record at 107.970mph set in 2011. A delighted Sheils tweeted, “Caught and passed Michael Dunlop – some going,” and you could not disagree. Some twelve seconds back in third came William Dunlop, who had two and a half seconds to spare over Derek McGee with Seamus Elliott and Brian McCormack completing the top six. Earlier in the day on wet roads Michael Dunlop fought oﬀ a determined challenge from Sheils to win the Open championship race by just over half a second after seven laps, Sheils again setting the fastest lap for the 2-mile circuit going around in 1m 12.099secs a speed of 99.863mph. Three seconds back in third came local rider McGee, with three and a half seconds to spare over William Dunlop, who had Michael Sweeney breathing down his neck as they took the chequered flag.

Derek Sheils.

Michael Dunlop.

William Dunlop.

Derek McGee.

On home turf McGee inflicted defeat on the previously unbeaten William Dunlop in the Supersport race to pick up his first Irish road race win of the season 2.446secs clear of the CaďŹ&#x20AC;rey R6 Yamaha after seven laps. Another local rider, James Kelly, came through from the second wave of riders to take a brilliant third on corrected time over two and a half seconds behind Dunlop and 0.6secs ahead of Sheils, who also came from the second group. Paul Jordan, third on the road, dropped to fifth on corrected time a mere tenth of a second behind Sheils with the top six completed by Michael Sweeney eight seconds behind Jordan.

Michael Dunlop won the Open championship race with Sheils in 2nd.

The Senior Support championship race won by Michael Weldon by just over a second from Sean Connolly with James Horgan a close third; Brian Coomey, Sam Johnson and Oisin Watson rounding out the leader board. A six-lap non-championship race saw Horgan emerge victorious less than half a second ahead of Weldon with Coomey a further 11secs back in third. The Junior Support seven lap race saw James Chawke riding the Billy McKinstry 650cc Kawasaki to a twelve and a half second victory over Philip Crosbie also ER Kawasaki mounted with the SV 650cc Suzuki of Tommy Heaphy the same distance back in third. The strung out race saw Ben Mullane, John Byrne (both Suzuki mounted) and the Kawasaki of Raymond O’Neill fourth to sixth. The non-championship race gave Chawke and Crosbie in a repeat 1-2 sixteen seconds separating them with Brian Loughlin ten seconds back in third. Junior 400cc Lightweight was a close aﬀair between Michal Dokoupil and Seamus Elliott on their 400cc Yamaha’s half a second between them at the chequered flag in Dokoupil’s favour. A well supported Junior Classic race saw 23 starters with Barry Davidson dominating on his 350cc Honda finishing the six lap race twenty four seconds clear of the similar machine of Sean Leonard. Third position and first 250cc machine home was the Suzuki of Brian Mateer fifteen seconds behind Leonard with Manxman Allan Brew on his 350cc Drixton Aermacchi half a second back in fourth overall. Ford, a race horse trainer from Cheshire, was victorious in the Senior Classic race riding the Bob Jackson 920cc Norton finishing 2.743secs ahead of the Mike and Dawn Jacobs 496cc Seeley G50 ridden by Allan Brew, who had the similar machine of Ed Manly half a length behind in third. At the end of the day the most wins at the Race of the South meeting now sees a Dunlop family 1-2-3 with William on fifteen, his late father Robert on fourteen and Michael moving into third on ten – which must be some sort of record of its own.

Paul Jordan scored his first ever Supertwin race victory.

Derek McGee (86) & Michael Dunlop (3)

Micko Sweeney.

FAUGHEEN

McGee's the man in Tipperary Double success and a podium for the Westmeath man.

Derek McGee scorched to a magnificent double during the Faugheen 50 road races on Sunday, winning the Grand Final and Supersport events after finishing second to Derek Sheils in the Open championship race: although he did blot his copy book by sliding off in the 125GP race while leading. In the five-lap Grand Final, McGee was in charge from the start and despite the efforts of Derek Sheils to oust his from the top spot it was the Mullingar rider who triumphed by a third of a second to score his first victory on his NW Racing BMW. In his efforts to overhaul McGee, Sheils set a new track record for the 2.2 mile Co.Tipperary circuit of 1m 14.730secs, a speed of 105.982mph on the penultimate lap. Over eight seconds back in third was Brian McCormack with Michael Sweeney, Paul Jordan and the organising Club President John Walsh sixth. The Open championship race had to be re-started following a first lap incident that involved Seamus Elliott, who had to be air-lifted to Cork hospital. On the six-lap restart Sheils and McGee were inseparable throughout with the Cookstown BE Suzuki of Sheils taking the chequered flag less than half a second splitting the pair as they flashed across the finish line. McCormack again filled third place, eight seconds adrift of the leading duo with Sweeney, Jordan and John Horgan following the Waterford rider home. McGee set the fastest lap on the last but one lap with a speed of 104.863mph.

The Mullingar Missileâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s double came when he comfortably won the six-lap Supersport race, taking his N J Doyne R6 Yamaha to a 4.668sec victory over the Cookstown BE Honda of Sheils.

Derek Sheils.

Derek McGee.

Sweeney was the master of the Supertwins, racing to a 1.214sec victory over the consistent Sheils and Jordan with Dokoupil going one better in this race with fourth position ahead of Andy Farrell and Adam McLean. Skerries rider Sweeney also set a new lap record of 97.133mph for the class on his third lap.

Neil Kernohan rode his 250GP Logan Honda to a nine second victory in the 250/400cc six lap race. in which Dokoupil was second and first 400cc machine home and Darryl Tweed third overall following his successful Southern 100 travels.

Brian McCormack.

Paul Jordan triumphed in the 125GP/Moto3 race coming home three seconds clear of Adam McLean, who had Nigel Moore on his back wheel as the flashed past the chequered flag. McGee set the fastest lap of the race on the third circuit at 88.223mph, but he slid out of the lead on the last lap uninjured.

Gary Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien.

Veronika Hankocyova.

Adam McLean.

On the six-lap restart Sheils and McGee were inseparable throughout with the Cookstown BE Suzuki of Sheils taking the chequered flag less than half a second splitting the pair as they flashed across the finish line.

In a non-championship five lapper Skerries David Howard who triumphed by seven seconds from Cathal Phelan and Thomas Whitmore, Howard setting the fastest lap at 89.968mph. James Chawke and Philip Crosbie fought tooth and nail over the Junior Support race honours with Crosbie setting the fastest lap of the race at 89.825mph on his sixth and final lap to take a narrow third of a second victory over the McKinstry ER6 Kawasaki rider. Paul Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Rourke was a fine third ahead of Jordan McFerran and Andy McAllister with Czech rider Veronika Hankocyova taking tenth position out of twenty-one starters. Crosbie doubled up by winning the non-championship race by six seconds from Cathal Phelan. John Horgan set a new lap record of 97.925mph on his way to a sixteen second victory over an impressive Oisin Watson in the Senior Support race with Sean Connolly taking third a tenth of a second ahead of Stephen Casey and Sam Johnston. These five having taken the chequered flag before the red flag was waved to stop the race following an incident involving Gary Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien, with the rest of the result declared on six laps. Horgan also headed Watson home in the non-championship race in which he was 0.122sec outside his new lap record. Sean Leonard won the Junior 250/350cc Classic race by eighteen seconds from Sam Kinkead, both 350cc Honda mounted while the first 250cc machine home was the Suzuki of Philip Shaw in third position. A record breaking Senior Classic race saw Robert McCrum set a new 1000cc lap record of 86.135mph on his way to victory over Richard Ford by less than a second with Ed Manly third and first 500cc machine home setting a new speed for that class of 83.897mph.

Paul Jordan and Micko Sweeney battle it out in the supersport race.

Derek McGee (86) & Derek Sheils (82) after a close fought Open Race.

Armoy race Of Legends.

Glory at home for Dunlop. Superbike double for the resurgent racer.

Once again the SGS International Armoy Road Races lived up to expectations with some fantastic racing, close finishes, massive crowd and Dunlops to the fore at the final Ulster Championship road race meeting of the season. Michael Dunlop dominated both Superbike races on his MD Racing Superstock BMW, including winning the feature Race of Legends for the sixth consecutive year to a tumultuous reception from his home crowd.

Meanwhile, elder brother William won both Supersport races on his Caﬀrey IC R6 Yamaha. The opening six-lap Supersport race on Friday evening was spectacular and dramatic with the closest finish ever at Armoy as William clung on to beat Michael by 0.007sec. With pole position man Derek McGee a non-starter it was William from the front row who hit the front from Derek Sheils and Dan Kneen in his slipstream with Michael back in fifth at the end of lap one. At the halfway point Michael had progressed to third and was closing in on William and Sheils at the front. With two laps to go Michael was still 1.8secs down on Sheils, but with the fastest lap of the race at 103.713mph he swept past the Cookstown BE Honda and was less than a second behind his brother. On the last lap Michael was trying hard

closing right up on William, the pair flashing around the final flat-out left-hander side-by-side, but on the run to the chequered flag it was William who held on to triumph by a wheel. Third was Sheils followed home by Kneen, the Triumph of Christian Elkin fifth and Michael Sweeney sixth. On mainly dry roads after overnight rain Michael didn’t start the second Supersport race on Saturday with William slotting into fourth at the end of lap one behind McGee, Sheils and Paul Jordan. McGee continued to lead on lap three with Dunlop now into third and closing in on the leading duo McGee. A lap later the Caﬀrey R6 swept into the lead and quickly opened up a racewinning advantage. McGee lost second position when he slipped oﬀ uninjured Sheils handed second position eleven seconds 53 ahead of Sweeney, who had relegated Jordan to fourth on the final lap.

In the Superbike championship race it was Michael at his brilliant best taking the lead on the first lap of seven, flying the jumps in majestic style, setting the fastest lap on lap five at 105.911mph to just do enough to hold oďŹ&#x20AC; the Cookstown BE Suzuki of Sheils by over a second and a half at the chequered flag. William came through from fifth on lap one to pass Dan Kneen (Mar-Train Yamaha) and bring the McManus Brothers R1 Yamaha into third position a tenth of a second behind Sheils with Kneen, McGee (fastest through the speed trap at 161.7mph) The feature race was a Michael Dunlop benefit the TT lap record holder winning his sixth Race of Legends title in six years bringing the MD Racing BMW home four and a half seconds ahead of Sheils, who had William almost two seconds behind in third. McGee, Kneen and Sweeney completed the top six in the fastest race of the day with MD lapping at 105.943mph on his second lap to break the opposition.

William came through from fifth on lap one to pass Dan Kneen.

Derek Sheils.

Derek McGee.

Christian Elkin.

James Cowton leads Micko Sweeney.

Supertwins was another scorcher of a race with a seven man freight train at the head of proceedings culminating in another near photo-finish as James Cowton took the McAdoo ER6 Kawasaki to a 0.091sec victory over Sweeney. Pole man McGee led laps one and two, Sweeney led three and four, Cowton got his nose in front on lap five, but McGee was back in front going onto the first lap. A mistake dropped McGee from first to seventh while Cowton, who set the fastest lap of 96.487mph on lap four, held oﬀ Sweeney to take the win flag with Christian Elkin 0.070secs back in third. Eighteen Moto3 / 125GP machines lined up for their seven lap race and it was Christian Elkin who dominated racing Bob Wylie’s Moto3 Honda to an eight second victory over Sam Wilson on Joey’s Bar 125GP Honda. Gary Dunlop on his Armoy debut rode William Dunlop sponsored 125GP Honda.

Sam Wilson.

Gary Dunlop.

James Chawke held the aces in the Junior Support race over two seconds ahead of Brad Vicars at the chequered flag the pair well clear of Philip Crosbie and Czech Rep rider Veronika Hankocyova while Vicars switched from his ER6 Kawasaki to his 600cc Honda to win the Senior Support race by seven seconds from local rider Tommy Henry. The 250GP saw Neil Kernohan triumph over Davy Morgan by eighteen and a half seconds with Paul Robinson third, while the concurrently ran Lightweight 400 / 450cc race saw another close finish – Michal Dokoupil getting his 400cc Yamaha home two-tenths of a second ahead of the 400cc Kawasaki of Ballymoney rider Darryl Tweed with Skerries David Howard over half a minute back in third. The only lap record of the meeting came in the Classic race when winner Barry Davidson took his 350cc Dempster Honda around the 3.008mile circuit in 2m 14.308secs a speed of 80.627mph. Ed Manly was first 500cc machine home in second position and first 250cc machine home was Brian Mateer (Suzuki) in seventh position overall. A Senior Support ‘B’ non-championship race saw victory go to Oisin Watson from Darren Keys and Glenn Walker.

Michal Dokoupil Lightwieght 400 Championship winner.

William Dunlop.

Ulster Grand Prix.

Hutchinson dominates with four-timer. Tyco BMW star sweeps up at Dundrod.

Ian Hutchinson came into the MCE Ulster Grand Prix on five wins at the event, and left it with nine, moving up to equal sixth in the UGP most-wins table alongside Brian Reid, Robert Dunlop and Ryan Farquhar. The Bingley Bullet was declared Man of the Meeting, having won both Superbike races and the Superstock event on Tyco BMWs, and the second Supersport on the Keith Flint Came BPT Yamaha. He also toppled Bruce Anstey from his outright lap record holder position with the final lap of the meeting: a staggering 134.089mph, 0.634sec faster than Ansteyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2010 record. 58His worst result of the day though, was a second in the opening Supersport race when he finished 0.818sec behind Anstey with the fastest lap of 128.511mph.

Hutchy’s first win came in the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council six-lap Superstock race, the opening race of the day. In cloudy, but dry conditions after two warm-up laps Hutchy, from fifteenth on the grid, led at the end of the first lap ahead of Derek Sheils, Peter Hickman, Dan Kneen, Dean Harrison and Michael Dunlop. By lap three Dunlop was in the lead, which he held until the final lap when a slower rider at Lougher’s meant Dunlop had to move wide, losing his drive up the hill and Hutchy swept through on the inside to win by a quarter of a second and the fastest lap of 132.292mph on lap four. The feature seven-lapper was a battle royal between Hutchy, Anstey, Dunlop and Hickman for the opening four laps, just 0.6secs separating the quartet. A mind-numbing speed of 199.8mph was recorded by Hickman through the speed trap on lap four before he retired, then slower riders were negotiated, with the crowds watching on the ‘big screens’ gasping at the manoeuvers. Hutchy won by a quarter of a second in the end, from Anstey and Dunlop. A minute gap; 0.101sec separated Hutchy and William Dunlop in the Second Supersport race as he outmanoeuvred William on the run from the hairpin to the finish line on the last lap with Hickman taking third half a second down. The climax for Hutchy’s day was the final race of the meeting, another battle with Anstey and Dunlop and 59 that incredible outright lap record for his fourth win. Hutchy had stamped his authority on the MCE Ulster Grand Prix.

Ulster Grand Prix.

Dunlop has no answer at Dundrod. Disappointing end to the year for the Ulsterman.

Before the Ulster Grand Prix kicked oﬀ Michael Dunlop would have been the bookies favourite to win the Superbike and Superstock races, after all he had only lost one Superbike race all season (at Walderstown) qualified on pole position in both UGP Superbike and Superstock classes – relegated to second after Superpole. But on the day Dunlop only managed to finish second behind Ian Hutchinson in the Superstock, 0.274secs adrift and in the Superbike races he finished third in both with Hutchinson winning both from Bruce Anstey – Dunlop three seconds behind Hutchy in the main UGP seven-lapper and 1.289secs back of Hutchy in the final record-breaking event. It was to be a proper battle. Hutchy versus Dunlop. Tyco BMW versus Hawk MD Racing BMW. Metzeler versus Dunlop. All with the frisson of the supposed needle between the pair, following that infamous spat after the Senior TT. There was only one clear winner at Dundrod – Hutchinson won all three ‘big bike’ races, with the added bonus of a new outright lap record of 134.089mph. So what went wrong for Michael? Maybe nothing! Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and say you were beaten by the better man on the day (although knowing Michael he’ll not agree with that). And since he also went under Anstey’s old lap record with a 133.979mph – just 0.038sec slower than on that final record-busting lap – you could argue there wasn’t much wrong with the Hawk BMW. In the first Superbike race Dunlop actually lapped faster than his rival by a tenth of a second – 133.810mph to Dunlop, 133.716mph to Hutchinson. Anstey, meanwhile, was right on record pace in both races on board his Valvoline Padgetts Honda RC213V-S, with 133.743 and 133.913mph best laps in the two Superbike races. Who could argue that what we witnessed at Dundrod was three of the top road racers in the world on top of their game on the same day, on three ultracompetitive motorcycles and a huge crowd of spectators there to witness the fascinating battles.

Ulster Grand Prix.

Anstey and his RCV have a blast. Padgett's team enjoyed a successful event.

The closest you will get to a MotoGP machine at Dundrod was the debut of the Valvoline Padgetts Honda RC213V-S, ridden by Bruce Anstey, who just seems to get better and faster with age. In the Superbike races he led for four of the seven laps on the MotoGP replica, only losing out to Ian Hutchinson by 0.274sec in the feature UGP Superbike race and 0.8s behind in the final race of the day in which he lost his title as the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fastest road racer to Hutchy. As a consolation he did manage to spoil Hutchies clean sweep by beating him in the first Supersport race.

Dean Harrison leads the chasing pack in the Superstock race.63

Having missed the first two international road race meetings of the season after suďŹ&#x20AC;ering a broken arm while mountain biking before the North West 200, Manxman Dan Kneen returned in style to international action at Dundrod. He ended up with four top-six finishes, including a tremendous podium in the opening Superstock race behind Ian Hutchinson and Michael Dunlop. Such was the pace of Hutchinson, Dunlop and Kneen at the front that they had opened up a huge gap of fourteen seconds at the chequered flag over fourth place man Dean Harrison.

Dean Harrison pushing the front end of his ZX10 in the Superbike race.

Gary Johnson replaced Lee Johnston in the East Construction Racing team after the County Fermanagh rider fractured his collarbone in opening practice yesterday Johnston was out on a 250cc Honda in preparation for the Classic TT later this month when he crashed at the Lindsay Hairpin in the first session. Team boss Phil Reed subsequently called Johnson, who rode for the team in 2011 winning the Isle of Man TT Supersport 600cc race, with the Lincolnshire rider jumping on a plane and arriving in Northern Ireland at 11.30pm on wednesday night.

Peter Hickman.

Dan Cooper winner of a close fought Supertwins race.

A blistering Lightweight race saw three 250GP Hondas battle throughout their five laps with Neil Kernohan pipping Davy Morgan to the chequered flag by 6/100s of a second.

Ultra Lightweight race saw the Moto3 Honda of Christian Elkin the comfortable winner 67 after a ding-dong battle for second that saw the Joeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar 125GP Honda of Sam Wilson snatch the runner-up position by 0.201sec from stablemate Derek McGee.

With only one podium finish at this years Grand Prix, William Dunlop, the 2016 Supersport champion didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the best finish to the season.