More strong performances from Irwin brothers at Snetterton BSB round

Irish Motorcycle Racing stars Caolán and Rhys Irwin once again proved their ability with strong but very different performances at the latest rounds of the British Superbike Championship at Snetterton, Norfolk, on Saturday and Sunday July 20th and 21st. Rhys was back in British Talent Cup action while Caolán was running in the British National Superstock 600 class.

The Donegal youngsters had another positive weekend with Caolán just missing out on a podium in the Superstock class while Rhys showed his ability to overcome a set back with two strong fightbacks from last on the grid following a qualifying crash.

Having made his debut in the Superstock 600 championship at Knockhill two weeks previously, Rhys was back in British Talent Cup action once again at Snetterton. Having started steadily in practice the Donegal teenager was ready to challenge for the top spot in qualifying and set the fastest time of the session on his fifth lap. Unfortunately he then crashed out on lap six and as the track dried all of his rivals went quicker to leave him on the back row of the grid for both races.

A strong run in Saturday's race one saw Rhys run as high as eleventh but he then dropped back to finish thirteenth as his set up did not suit the drying track. Race two went much better as the Irish rider climbed to seventh place at the flag just failing to catch the group battling for third place. Two more points scoring finishes mean that Rhys heads for the final two events, which support the Czech and British MotoGP rounds, with a chance of taking third in the Talent Cup championship.

Speaking after race two, Rhys said, “I really made it hard for myself with my crash in Qualifying. I was left having to start from the back of the grid with a limited chance to adapt the bike to the conditions, but I was happy with the speed I showed and the number of places I made up, particularly in the second race. We're off to Brno next as a support to MotoGP and I'm aiming to impress there and hopefully move myself into contention for a top three finish to the championship.”

Caolán Irwin continued his progress in the Superstock 600 class as he achieved his best qualifying position of the season to line up on the front row of the grid for the first time. A steady start to the single championship round put the Donegal rider in third place on his Ready4Racing Kawasaki and he remained in the thick of the battle throughout.

Moving up to second at half distance Caolán held the runner-up spot going onto the final lap but was pushed wide by an overtaking move by the third placed rider leading to him dropping two places to finish fourth, just shy of his second podium of the season.

“I cant believe I'm disappointed with a fourth placed finish” was Caolán's reaction after the race. “earlier this season I'd have taken it if you'd offered me a fourth place finish before any of my races, but now its a measure of the progress that we've made that's it's a disappointing not to make the podium. I have to thank the team for all the hard work they've put in and for their faith in me when things weren't going so well. I also have to thank all of my sponsors especially Wesley of Clean Rubber, Oasis Bar, PCRS Bikesport and everyone else who helps me out.”

The Irwin Racing brothers will both be back in action over the first weekend in August with Caolán in Superstock action at Thruxton, UK and Rhys on British Talent Cup duty in Brno in the Czech Republic.

Podiums and points aplenty for Team 109 Donington outing

As the Bennetts British Superbike championship made its first of two visits to the East
Midlands circuit of Donington Park, Team #109 were back to a full stable of bikes for the
event, with the Dickies Junior Supersport riders Curtis Trimble and James McManus back in
attendance alongside their teammates in the Pirelli National Superstock 600 & 1000
classes, Eunan McGlinchey and Graeme Irwin.

Following his first podium finish in the Pirelli National Superstock 600 class last time out at
Oulton Park, 2018 Junior Supersport champion McGlinchey was keen to continue his run of
form and claim more valuable championship points in the competitive series. His weekend
got off to a solid start on Friday, with an eleventh position finish in the opening free
practice session, before improving to fifth in free practice two later that afternoon.

In qualifying on Saturday afternoon, the Aghadowey rider narrowly missed out on a front
row start, finishing the session in fourth position overall, which saw him start Sundays sole
Superstock 600 race from the outside of the second row. As the race began, McGlinchey
got off to a great start, making his way into second position following the opening number
of laps. A huge moment on the exit of the final chicane on lap five saw him fall back off
the leading pack. Following a good battle with Caolan Irwin in the remaining laps, the
twenty-one year old managed to hold off the Irishman’s attack to bring the Team #109
Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 home in fifth position.

Graeme Irwin once again continued to improve in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000
class onboard the Kawasaki ZX-10RR, following on from his strong result at Oulton Park.
The former British motocross champion got his weekend off to a solid start in the opening
free practice session, narrowly missing out on a top twenty finish, taking twenty-first in
the standings. The second free practice session of the day saw Irwin take over half a
second off his best time from the earlier free practice one session, setting him up for
qualifying the following day. Irwin managed to put the Team #109 Kawasaki in twentyfourth
position on the grid for the first part of the two part race to be held that afternoon.

After making his way into the top twenty during the race, Irwin ran on at the final chicane
which put him back into twenty-eighth for the start of race two, immediately following the
checkered flag of race one. As the laps ticked past Irwin put in another great effort on the
ZX-10RR to break into the top twenty for the first time this season.

The next day in the tricky conditions at the East Midlands track, the Carrickfergus rider
scored his best finish to date in the British championship, and with it, his first points in the
Superstock 1000 class. Having started the race from twenty-first position, Irwin managed
to pick his way through the field as the laps ticked by to take a great fifteenth place finish,
his best result do date in the extremely competitive series.

The Dickies Junior Supersport class proved to be a mixed bag for the two Team #109
riders, with Curtis Trimble having his best result to date, and James McManus having a
difficult weekend onboard the Kawasaki Ninja 400. Free practice on Friday evening saw
Trimble finish just outside the top fifteenth, claiming sixteenth position in the overall
standings. McManus unfortunately suffered a crash having completed just three laps,
which put him on the back foot for qualifying the next day.

Qualifying on Saturday evening saw Trimble improve his position from what he achieved
on Friday evening, finishing in tenth place, and qualifying on the front of the fourth row
for Sundays opening race. Having only had three laps in practice on Friday evening,
qualifying was essentially McManus’ first session of the weekend, and he finished in thirtyeighth
position.

The opening race on Sunday morning was in tricky conditions, and following a run off the
track early on, Trimble put in a great effort to make up the lost time and pick his way
through the field during the twelve lap race. Before he began the final lap, he managed to
take third position from Kade Verwey and hold the position on the final lap of the race to
cross the line and take his maiden British championship podium finish. Unfortunately
McManus was unable to make it for the opening race of the weekend, but was in action in
the second, along with his teammate Trimble.

Following a huge rain shower after the Superbike race, the conditions remained difficult
throughout the day, and indeed for the final Junior Supersport race. Trimble backed up his
podium in the opening race by scoring a top ten finish in the second race of the day,
crossing the line in eighth position and scoring more solid championship points. McManus
put in a strong effort in the race, and managed to progress from his starting position of
fortieth by eleven positions, taking twenty-ninth place finish to end what was a difficult
weekend for the Randalstown rider.

Next up for Team #109 will be the first of two visits this season to the Brands Hatch GP
circuit in three weeks time, and just like at Oulton Park at the beginning of the month, it
will be a two bike garage for the Cork based outfit, with the Junior Supersport class not in
attendance. It will once again be Eunan McGlinchey and Graeme Irwin flying the flag for
the Kawasaki team in the two Pirelli National Superstock classes at the infamous Kent
circuit.

Team #109 would like to thank all their sponsors for their continued support, Liftrite.ie,
Team Green Kawasaki, Kinsale Hotel & Spa, MMD Construction, EMS Copiers, Ohlins
Racing, CMRVC, Glenn Irwin, Fuchs Silkolene, R&G, JOG Tuning, PP Tuning, Arrow
Exhaust, JTec Sports, SBS Brakes, Gorman Crash Repairs, Jim McCann & Sons Family
Butchers, James McCann Photography, Spears Racing, HEL Performance, Unlimited
Industries, and Samco Sport.

Photographs courtesy of James McCann | @jmccannphoto | www.jmccannphoto.com
ENDS

PODIUM FOR MCGLINCHEY AND PROGRESS FOR IRWIN AT OULTON PARK BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND

The traditional May Day Bank Holiday Bennetts British Superbike Championship round took
place this past weekend at Oulton Park, and it was a positive event across the board for
Team #109 at the Cheshire circuit. 2018 Dickies Junior Supersport champion Eunan
McGlinchey put the bad luck of Silverstone behind him to claim his first Pirelli National
Superstock 600 point scoring finish, and claiming a podium in the process. Graeme Irwin
also continued his solid progress in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 class, breaking
into the top twenty for the first time during qualifying, before taking twenty-fifth in the
feature race on Monday morning.

Twenty-one year old McGlinchey got his weekend off to a steady start on Saturday
morning, finishing the opening free practice session in twelfth position in what were damp
and difficult conditions, before drying out for the last ten minutes. Free practice two was
dry for the entirety, and following a few changes and experiments with the bike set up
McGlinchey finished the session inside the top fifteen, taking fourteenth position.
Qualifying was once again dry on Sunday afternoon, and McGlinchey really began getting
into his stride, taking over two seconds off his time from the day before, and claiming
sixth position on the grid for Mondays sole Superstock 600 race. Following a good start
McGlinchey managed to slot in behind the leading group on the opening lap, and was
looking strong early on. Following a huge moment on the exit of Druids on the second lap,
McGlinchey did brilliantly to stay onboard the Team #109 Kawasaki. Having lost touch with
the leader following his save, the Aghadowey rider was involved in a fantastic battle for
the remaining two podium positions with the Triumph of Korie McGreevy and the Yamaha
of Aaron Clifford as the race progressed.

As the laps ticked by, McGlinchey’s times continued to improve and despite McGreevy and
Clifford’s best efforts, the Aghadowey rider managed to hold onto second position, to
score not only his first finish in the class, but also his first Pirelli National Superstock 600
podium. With twenty points to his name in the championship standings, the twenty-one
year old jumped straight into sixth in the championship standings, sixteen points behind
championship leader and third place finisher, Aaron Clifford.

Former British motocross champion Graeme Irwin continued his excellent progress this
following weekend onboard the Team #109 Kawasaki ZX-10RR. At just his second race
event in the British championship, and in what were tricky conditions throughout, Irwin
stayed consistent no matter what the weather, and never fell outside the top thirty across
all three days, in a class with just short of fifty entries.
Free practice one saw Irwin claim twenty-sixth position, before improving four places in
free practice two, taking over a second and a half off his lap time from the session
previous. Moving into qualifying the following day, Irwin continued to climb the standings
improving to twentieth position, not only claiming his best qualifying to date, but also his
best overall finish to date.

Monday morning saw a huge shower sweep across the Oulton Park track, and with the
Pirelli National Superstock 1000 race being the first on the timetable for the day, it proved
an extremely difficult race for Irwin on the Kawasaki. Despite it being his first race in the
wet, Irwin managed a solid run in the tough conditions, and still managed to finish inside
the top thirty, taking twenty-fifth position on the day, capping off a solid event for the
Carrickfergus rider.

Next up on the calendar for Team #109 is the third round of the Bennetts British
Superbike calendar, which will take place at the historic Donington Park. The Cork based
outfit will also be back to a full stable with the return of the Dickies Junior Supersport
class, bringing the team back up to a four bike outfit for the event.

Team #109 would like to thank all their sponsors for their support, Liftrite.ie, Team Green
Kawasaki, Kinsale Hotel & Spa, MMD Construction, EMS Copiers, Ohlins Racing, CMRVC,
Glenn Irwin, Fuchs Silkolene, R&G, JOG Tuning, PP Tuning, Arrow Exhaust, JTec Sports,
SBS Brakes, Gorman Crash Repairs, Jim McCann & Sons Family Butchers, James McCann
Photography, Spears Racing, HEL Performance, Unlimited Industries, and Samco Sport.
Photographs courtesy of James McCann | @jmccannphoto | www.jmccannphoto.com
ENDS

Following the opening round of the 2019 Bennetts British Superbike championship at
Silverstone a fortnight ago, the series makes its first trip of two this season to the Cheshire
circuit, Oulton Park. After an eventful opening weekend with a four rider line up, Team
#109 will have their numbers cut in half, with just Eunan McGlinchey and Graeme Irwin in
action in the Pirelli National Superstock 600 and 1000 classes, with no round for the
Dickies Junior Supersport championship this upcoming bank holiday weekend.
An unfortunate debut weekend in the Pirelli National Superstock 600 saw Eunan
McGlinchey crash out following an incident off the start line, bringing his weekend to a
premature end.

The weekend got off to a difficult start for McGlinchey and Team #109 following some
little set up issues with their new Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 on Friday morning during the
opening free practice session. However just as they did last season, they worked together
to iron out the issues and improved every time they returned to the track, firstly in the
second free practice session later that afternoon, where he went from twentieth to sixth.
The following day saw McGlinchey improve yet again, scoring fourth place in the opening
qualifying session of the campaign, which would see him head the second row on the grid
for the following days race. Expectations were high in the garage as a number of further
changes were made following the qualifying session as the team still felt there was more
improvements to be made with the bike in preparation for the race.

As the lights went out in the first race of the new year, an incident at the start involving
McGlinchey and another rider caused a red flag situation, and the Aghadowey rider was
transferred to the medical centre. It was unfortunate end to the race for the reigning
Junior Supersport champion, but luckily he suffered no major injuries and will be back in
action this weekend at Oulton Park.

Graeme Irwin also suffered a crash in the second half of the two part one hundred mile
race, before taking a twenty-fourth place finish in the third race of the weekend onboard
the Team #109 Kawasaki ZX-10RR. Before Irwin had even taken to the track at Silverstone
he had a lot of eyes on him, following an impressive pre-season as well as the motocross
record he brings into the paddock.

In a huge class of over fifty riders Graeme put in an impressive performance in the
opening free practice session of the weekend on Friday, narrowly missing out on a top
thirty finish, taking thirty-first in the final classification. The second practice session of the
weekend saw Irwin improve both his time and position, taking almost half a second off his
earlier time, and breaking into the top thirty, finishing in twenty-ninth.

The split qualifying session saw only forty riders qualify to race on Sunday, and just as he
did on Friday, Graeme took three tenths of a second off his best time of the weekend, and
improved his position, qualifying in twenty-eighth position for the two part race later that
afternoon. Unfortunately after a solid performance in the opening twenty-four lap race
which saw Graeme finish in thirtieth, he suffered a crash early in the second part, failing to
score a finish in the second race of the Superstock 1000 career. However, on Sunday Irwin
was soon to put his tough race two behind him, putting in a great performance to cap off
the event, taking twenty-fourth place in the third and final race of the weekend, brining
his solid debut to a close in impressive fashion.

The next round at Oulton Park this weekend over the May Day Bank Holiday will see
McGlinchey hope to put the bad luck from Silverstone behind him and get his first points
on the board, with Irwin hoping to continue his improvements in the highly competitive
Superstock 1000 class.

Team #109 would like to thank all their sponsors for their continued support, Liftrite.ie,
Team Green Kawasaki, Kinsale Hotel & Spa, MMD Construction, EMS Copiers, Ohlins
Racing, CMRVC, Glenn Irwin, Fuchs Silkolene, R&G, JOG Tuning, PP Tuning, Arrow
Exhaust, JTec Sports, SBS Brakes, Gorman Crash Repairs, Jim McCann & Sons Family
Butchers, James McCann Photography, Spears Racing, HEL Performance, Unlimited
Industries, and Samco Sport.

Photographs courtesy of James McCann | @jmccannphoto | www.jmccannphoto.com

2018 Young Racer of the Year, Caolan Irwin, to benefit from €14,000 support package

2018 Masters Superbike Championship 'Young Racer of the Year' award winner, Caolán Irwin, recently put pen to paper to confirm his 2019 programme which will see him return to the British Superbike paddock, to race in the Superstock 600 class.

The Donegal native will contest the extremely competitive series on a brand new Kawasaki ZX6, with financial backing from the Young Racer Award sponsors, Dawn International, Mondello Park and EICL. Thanks must also go to the BSB organisers who are assisting with the Young Racer programme.

Caolán's 2019 programme kicks off in two weeks’ time with the official BSB test at Silverstone on April 9th. This will be the Kilmacrennan racers' first opportunity to sample his new machine, which is currently being built. Following the test the team will have just ten days before the championship returns to the Northampton track for the season opener.

Having completed his deal with the Young Racer award organisers Caolán said “I am delighted to sign the contract to formally start my working relationship with the organisers and the associated sponsors. As I have said previously I cannot stress how crucial this award has been in the progression of my career as I prepare for a full season in the British Superstock 600 Championship. I have completed a very successful pre-season testing schedule with my team which will be released in the next few weeks. I feel very proud to be representing Mondello Park and the awards sponsors this season as it is a terrific incentive by the organisers to help young Irish racers make the step up to the next level."

Irwin's plan is to compete in all of the British Superstock series and having taken his maiden podium in 2018, and finished in the championship top ten, the Young racer of the Year's aim is to lift the title at his second attempt. Alongside his BSB commitments, Caolán will also contest any non clashing Masters Supersport Championship rounds.

Words and images Mondello Park

Schoolboy Dawson to take a shot at British Championship

Fourteen-year-old Co Tyrone scholar, Cameron Dawson jets out to Spain next week to test his new Ninja 400 Kawasaki in preparation for his forthcoming onslaught on the Dickies Junior Supersport championship.

For Dawson, this will be his second season competing on the mainland, where last year he rode in the Thundersport series, which gave him the chance to learn some of the circuits that he will race on this year.

In his rookie year in Britain, Cameron took second place in the Superteen Championship, which saw him take wins and lap records at the final race meeting at Snetterton.

Combining his Thundersport championship, Dawson also found time to compete in the USBK Junior Cup Series, finishing third overall, despite missing rounds.

Now entering his third season of short circuits, the former Minimoto and Pit Bike champion, (having secured five championships) has already scored 16 wins and numerous podium finishes.

Dawson will begin his 2019 racing campaign at the AJ Plumbing Supplies USBK Championship meeting at Bishopscourt on the 30^th March. 

Easter Sunday will see the first of the 8 rounds of BSB 300 Supersport Championship take place at Silverstone, which will result in an overnight return home to compete at Kirkistown on Easter Monday.

Dawson will join fellow Ulster riders; Andrew Smyth, James McManus, along with BSB debutants, Rhys Coates and Curtis Trimble in the Dickies Junior Supersport Championship, won last year by rookie, Eunan McGlinchey

Certainly a busy season ahead for the Team KMR.Dawson22 race team, however before the race season starts, Cameron has another important date to fulfil, this Saturday night, Stormont Hotel , Belfast, being the venue for a Kick Boxing night, in which Cameron is one of the main contestants.

 Words and images - Baylon McCaughey

2018 Irish Superbike Racing Racer of the Year – Johnny Rea

To win any World Championship is a huge achievement. To retain one is even harder but, 4 back to back championships is an incredible feat considering the international competition in WSBK.

In recognition of his results we’ve awarded current World Superbike Champion Johnny Rea our inaugural title.

Congratulations Johnny!

Words - Andy Quinn

Images - (c) Tom O’Hanlon

Jamie Lyons joins British Talent Cup lineup for 2019

Jamie Lyons has been selected as a British Talent Cup candidate for 2019, having swept the board in this years Masters Junior Cup championship. The Dorna bosses were impressed with the results as well as his experience, having competed in 2 seasons of British Youth MotoX.

The British Talent Cup follow the British Superbike calendar as well as taking place at selected high profile rounds of World Superbike and MotoGP in the UK and Spain.

Certainly one to watch next season and for the immediate future too as the 13 year old prepares over the Winter for his toughest challenge yet.

Words - Andy Quinn

Images courtesy of Johnny Sweeney

Rhys Irwin to rejoin 2019 British Talent Cup battle

Following the last event of the British Talent Cup season, which ran alongside the final MotoGP event of the year in Valencia Spain, Donegal's Rhys Irwin received the fantastic news that he would once again be on the grid in 2019.

The British Talent Cup is organised by MotoGP promoters Dorna and designed to find fresh talent from the British Isles to promote through Moto3 and Moto2, and on into the MotoGP world championship. Fifteen-year-old Rhys Irwin was the only Republic of Ireland rider on the grid in the inaugural year of the series and the news that he would be back again in 2019 means he will continue to fly the flag for Irish Motorcycle Racing on the world stage.

Irwin's first Talent Cup campaign was a major challenge as he went up against much more experienced rivals, many with previous Moto3 and European Talent Cup seasons under their belt. Having lost track time due to incidents, mechanical issues and the weather induced cancellation of round two, Rhys struggled to build momentum early in the season, but he bounced back to pick up his first two points finishes at event three in Snetterton.

Following Snetterton the BTC made its first appearance on the MotoGP programme, with two support races at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone. Qualifying a season best fifth, Rhys scored points for the third race in a row in race one, but his progress was again interrupted when the second race was lost to an event ending downpour. The penultimate round in Assen, Holland, was another tough one as a race one crash left him struggling for track time on the unfamiliar circuit, meaning he could only manage a single thirteenth place finish. The final event in Spain was also affected by the weather, but Rhys one more impressed with his speed and ability.

Following the Spanish finale Rhys was informed that Dorna were delighted with the progress he had made all year especially as he had entered the season with so little experience. In recognition of his performances and ability they then gave him the best possible finish to the season by offering him an invitation to return in 2019.

“I've really enjoyed my first year at this level and with all that I've learned over the season I'm delighted to have the chance to come back next year and use that experience to fight for the championship”, said Rhys after the final weekend of the year. “I know I can challenge at the front more often and was disappointed not to this year, but thankfully the championship organizers were able to see past the issues I encountered and were quick to offer me the opportunity to return again next season. I know I have the speed to win in this championship and I intend to repay the Talent Cup organisers' faith with a determined challenge in 2019.”

Details of the second British Talent Cup campaign have yet to be revealed, but the confirmation that Rhys Irwin will be on the grid means he will once again be the only rider flying the Irish flag at MotoGP World Championship events in 2019.

Rhys will continue to have the use of the MCI owned Honda NSF250R for the 2019 BSB campaign

For more information on Rhys Irwin see www.irwinracing.ie.

Swann shines in Silverstone win - British Superbike Hel Performance Moto3

Scott Swann takes his first win in British Superbike Hell Performance Moto3 STD race. Following on from his recent 2nd and 3rd place podiums at Caldwell Park and a 4th place in the British Talent Cup MotoGP race at Silverstone, the 15 year old Carrickfergus Academy Schoolboy continued his good run of form into round 6 of the British Motostar Championship. Swann started the weekend off in fine form posting 2nd fastest time in the dry FP2 session behind Spaniard Victor Rodriguez, then followed this up with his first pole position this time in a wet qualifying.

Scott's win came in race 2 where a group of 7 plus riders battled for the lead from the start. Swann was never far from the front, staying in the mix and leading on a few occasions over the line, but it all came down to the last lap. Powering onto the back straight Swann was in second place behind Rodriguez, as they approached the last section of the track two of the following riders passed Swann in his slipstream, but not to be outdone as he came off the brakes he passed both on the outside, then entering the second last right corner he dived on the inside to hold off Rodriguez to the flag and win by 0.003 of a second. So close was the finish that both riders were unsure of their position until they completed the cool down lap and entered the winner’s enclosure.

Swann commented on his brave move saying, “We have been getting closer all season and I was determined not to miss a chance of winning, I was losing some speed on the straights with my size on the bike but I always felt good in the last sector, so I had to make the most of it, it was tight”. “Apart from making a mistake with suspension set up in race 1, this was a perfect weekend for us with a pole and race win, I can’t wait for the next race". Swann has been scoring good points all season moving closer to the top step and put his recent front running form down to a few changes, “I have been trying different types of bike training at home and also thinking about how we approach a race, that and the confidence of a few podiums all helps”.

As the series heads to Oulton Park this weekend, Swann is lying 4th in the championship just 7 points off 3rd place and with his recent run of form it is possible we may see the Carrickfergus youngster back on the podium at one of his favourite tracks.

Scott Swann Racing Team would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support;     

                                       

IFS Global Logistics, ValveNet.net, Abbey Medicare, FonAcab, RAS Rheinland Air Service, Nightingale Lodge Holidays, Bikeworld Ireland, HD Finch Reprographics, Golden Glen Catering, Dunlop Tyres, Paint by Marky McBrein Alan Huggins, Bikefixbelfast,Liz & David Dealey, Dave & Doreen Sherry, Rodney& Paula McCurdy, David Kennedy, Ken Dickson, Tobermore Craig McBride, David Carleton, SMT Chris Lewers, James Thompson #Arai

Pictures Bonnie Lane

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Fantastic performance by Caolán Irwin brings Maiden British Championship Podium

Donegal based Motorcycle Racer Caolán Irwin produced a fantastic performance in Snetterton Norfolk last weekend (June 16th & 17th), to take his and the Irwin Racing Team's first ever podium finish in the British Superstock 600 Championship, along with their first ever fastest race lap. In only their fourth event competing at this level the team picked up an impressive third place as Caolán continues to build his speed and results in his debut British Championship season.

At the same event Caolán's younger brother Rhys achieved his best results so far in the British Talent Cup as he continues to develop his skills in the series designed to find the next Motorcycle Grand Prix star from the British Isles.

Having picked up a career best sixth place at Donington Park just two weeks ago Caolán Irwin arrived at Snetterton full of confidence despite being relatively unfamiliar with the circuit. Eleventh place in first practice was a solid start and that time was improved upon to give the Kilmacrennan resident seventh on the grid less than six tenths of a second off a front row start.

Things were to get even better in the race as the twenty year old jumped straight into fourth place and was part of a group battling for second place when the safety car was deployed on lap seven closing the field up. On the restart Caolán was in the group battling for the lead but another incident then brought the race to a premature halt just as he was about to mount a challenge having just set the fastest lap of the race. Fourth place at the flag soon became third when the third placed rider was disqualified for having an illegal engine, giving the delighted Irwin family team their first ever British Championship podium.

'I'm delighted to have achieved my first BSB podium at Snetterton this weekend” said Caolán after the race. “It was a tough race with four of us in a group in the last two laps, battling for the lead, before the red flag came out. I can't thank everyone who has helped to get me here enough for their support. I didn't expect to be fighting for the podium in my first season at BSB but it shows how good a team I have around me this year that we have already achieved that."

Having endured a difficult season so far Rhys Irwin was delighted to take home two points scoring finishes from his British Talent Cup weekend at Snetterton. Having suffered a string of non finishes due to incidents and mechanical issues, the Snetterton weekend was a turning point for Rhys as he got the most trouble free running of his season so far.

Starting off in practice with a deficit of over three and a half second per lap to the front runners Rhys closed the gap every session getting it down under three seconds in qualifying to line up eight. A poor start to race one saw him down to fourteenth place but he battled back to eleventh at the flag as he closed the gap in lap times by a further second. A better start in race two saw him in amongst the faster riders allowing him to improve further and bring his lap times down to under a second off the fastest while picking up his best finish to date with eight place.

Speaking after his two race finishes, Rhys said, “I'm really happy with with how the weekend went. We made a big step forward with my bike set up this weekend, for which I have to say a massive thanks to my mechanics Tim and Santi. If I can make a similar step in the next few weeks with my riding, particularly on corner entry, I think we can challenge the front runners for a podium at the next event."

Irwin Racing return to action at Knockhill in Scotland on the weekend of July 6th to 8th, where Caolán will return to Superstock 600 action and Rhys will swap to his Motorcycling Ireland Moto3 bike top race in the British Motostar Championship.

For more information on Caolán and Rhys Irwin see www.irwinracing.ie.

Positive Progress for Team109 at Snetterton 300

Last weekend saw the the Bennetts British Superbike Championship arrive at the
Snetterton circuit for the fourth round of the campaign, and it was once again a full stable
of machines in action for Team #109. Kevin Keyes was once again back onboard his
Kawasaki ZX6 in the Pirelli National Superstock 600 class, with Dickies British Junior
Supersport championship leader Eunan McGlinchey also in action following a two month
break. However, due to educational commitments fifteen-year-old Brendan Glover couldn’t
make the trip, but in his place on the second Kawasaki Ninja 400 was Simon Reid, 2017
Irish Supertwin champion.

On the opening day of the weekend in the Superstock 600 class, Keyes suffered with a
number of set up issues, hampering his progress on day one. Free practice one saw the
Offaly rider finish in thirteenth position, before improving to sixth in the second session
later that afternoon. However, not content with his position, he continued to look for
improvements in the garage throughout Friday evening. As he took to the Norwich circuit
on Saturday morning for qualifying, it unfortunately proved to be yet another difficult
session with the changes not working out completely as expected, stopping the twenty-
one year old from progressing any further than eleventh place.

The lights went out on Sunday afternoon and it didn’t take long before Keyes began to
make up for his fourth row start. Having passed a number of riders, and breaking well
inside the top ten on the opening few of laps, Keyes pushed as much as he could but
unfortunately began to fall down the standings as his set up problems reared their head
once again. Battling hard until the race was brought to a close a lap early due to a red
flag, Keyes had to settle for a tenth. However, later that afternoon the news was
announced that a rider who finished on the podium was disqualified, so Keyes was promoted to ninth. Following his promotion to ninth Kevin maintains fourth place in the championship, just a single point behind Grant Newstead in third.
The Dickies British Junior Supersport class was as always competitive and full of action
throughout the field, and following a rule change which came into affect at this round the
Kawasaki Ninja 400’s were deducted revs in an effort to bring the field closer together.
Free practice saw McGlinchey go back to the top of the standings following on from the
two month break, picking up where he left off at Brands Hatch, running right at the front
of the pack. New to the team for the weekend Reid finished the opening session just
outside of the top ten in eleventh.
Qualifying saw McGlinchey qualify on the front row for the opting race of the weekend in
third, with Reid breaking into the top ten for the first time over the course of the weekend,
rounding out the third row in ninth. As the lights went out for the first of two races in the
class, it was McGlinchey who set the pace at the front, leading for the majority of the race.
Elliot Pinson was the only rider to be able to keep with McGlinchey at the front, and after a
lengthy battle, which continued to the penultimate lap, McGlinchey and Pinson passed
each other back and forth multiple times, before constant pressure from McGlinchey and
mistakes from Pinson saw McGlinchey break away and take the win with a comfortable three second victory. Reid showed very well in his debut race in the class, making his way
into the top five on the opening lap following a great start. However a number of issues
during the race saw Reid struggle to keep pace with the front group, and he started to fall
back down through the pack. Despite the issues however, he managed to bring the Ninja
400 home in a very solid eighth position, scoring some good points in the progress on
what was his British championship debut.
Race two on Sunday once again saw a breakaway group of two at the front, with
McGlinchey and Pinson once again locked in battle for the lead throughout the entirety of
the ten lap race, with nothing separating the two as they crossed the line to begin the
final lap. As they entered into the final sector it was all going to come down to the final
corner, and unfortunately it all ended in disaster as a mistake from McGlinchey saw both
riders go down before the drag to the line. It was McGlinchey’s first DNF of the campaign,
yet despite the crash, he maintains his lead in the series over Kade Verwey, by thirteen
points.

Reid as he did throughout the weekend showed more improvement in race two, battling
well inside the top ten, and looked on to score a top five result until disaster struck on the
final lap of the race, when the Dromore riders chain came off, forcing him to pull out of
the race. After what was a great weekend for both riders in the class, it unfortunately
ended on a sour note, with both missing out on what would have been two great results.
Next up for Team #109 will be the Scottish round of the Bennetts British Superbike
championship, where once again it will be a full stable of machines in action with Keyes in
the Pirelli National Superstock 600 class, and McGlinchey back to defend his championship
lead in the Dickies British Junior Supersport class. Following on from his educational
commitments which kept him out of this round, fifteenth-year-old Brendan Glover should
be back available once again.

Team #109 Kawasaki would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support; TTS
Surfacing, MMD Construction, EMS Copiers, Cork Motorcycle Racing and Vintage Club,
Fuchs - Silkolene, R&G Racing, Kawasaki UK, Ohlins Racing, HEL Performance, Glenn Irwin
GI2, J-Tec Sports, SBS Brakes, JOG Tuning, Shoei Helmets UK, Feridax, James McCann
Photography, Gorman Crash Repairs, Jim McCann & Sons Family Butchers, Unlimited
Industries, MSS Performance, and Ross Motorcycles Cork.

Clifford top of the class Donington World Superbike round – Superstock 600

Aaron Clifford topped the timing sheets in Free Practice yesterday despite less than ideal conditions at Donington Park. Repeating the fine performance in Donington last month, Clifford’s confidence is growing as the focus shifts to this World Superbike hosted round.

Clifford said “All going good so far in Donington, track conditions weren’t ideal but, managed to put it in 1^st for Free Practice on old tyres which I’m happy about! Hopefully I can keep up my pace for the rest of the weekend! I’ll try to convince my Dad to put new tyres on for qualifying but, there’s no promises!”

A half hour qualifying session begins this evening at 5pm and live timing is available on http://www.worldsbk.com

Words Andy Quinn

Image courtesy of Colin Port

Team 109 Keyes aims high for Donington WSBK opportunity

Edenderry’s Kevin Keyes is Team #109’s sole entry for this weekends World Superbike Championship round at Donington Park in which the Pirelli National Superstock 600 class run alongside as a support class for the European round of the series.

It was less than a month ago from Keyes was last in action at Oulton Park where he bounced back from two crashes in qualifying and warm up to score his second podium finish of the season, taking a brilliant second place finish around the Chester circuit.

Back fully fit following his Bank Holiday weekend crashes, Keyes is hoping to use the current momentum he has built from the last round to hopefully stand on the podium once again this weekend. Having competed at Donington Park already this season, scoring his maiden podium finish in the class at the opening event of the campaign in April, the twenty-year-old has hopes of doing the same again this weekend.

Speaking ahead of this weekend the Offaly rider said; “I’m feeling confident heading into this weekend, I’m feeling fit again after our crashes at Oulton, and I’ve done plenty of training ahead of the weekend to make sure I am coming into it sharp. Ryan Vickers has an entry into the World Supersport class this weekend, so with him not out my aim is to get some more valuable points with him away for this round, be smart, and bring it home, hopefully up the front.”

Sharing a paddock the biggest teams and riders in the World Superbike Championship, including fellow Kawasaki rider, and current world champion Jonathan Rea is a motivation for Kevin, and he is hoping to attempt to catch the attention of some of the biggest riders and teams in the world this weekend.

“For me this is an important round, not just for myself personally, but for us as a team,” said Kevin. “Sharing a paddock with the World Superbike and Supersport teams is a huge opportunity. You never know who will be looking at you, and the team has put a lot of effort into looking and working professionally this season. So hopefully I can do a good job in front of some big teams and riders, and if I can come home as top Kawasaki in the class, keep the attention of ‘Team Green’, you never know what can happen.”

Words James McCann