CC's Unlimited Kells Road Races 2019

(16-06-2019: Derek Sheils, Suzuki GSXR 1000R, on his way to winning the Grand Final race at Kells Road Races. Kells Road Races Crossakiel, Co. Meath. Photo: Barry Cregg )

After been off the calendar for the last two years the CC'S Unlimited Kells Road Races made a much welcome return this weekend. A lot of hard work by the North Meath Road Racing Club went into putting on this years event and it paid off as a large crowds came out to line the hedges along the 2.2 mile Crossakiel circuit. Thankfully the expected rain stayed away for riders and fans alike for the day which enabled race schedule to run smoothly. Sadly due to injuries sustained at the recent Tandragee and Isle of Man TT races, meant front runners Adam McClean and Derek McGee were missing from the grid. After a great Senior TT result of 9th, Brian McCormack was also not on the grid but that didn't mean road racing fans were left short of action at this years event.

(16-06-2019: Michael Sweeney, BMW S1000RR, jumps Hanlon's Leap during the Open race at Kells Road Races. Kells Road Races Crossakiel, Co. Meath. Photo: Barry Cregg)

(16-06-2019: A general view of Marshals watching Michael Sweeney, BMW S1000RR, over Hanlon's Leap during the Open race at Kells Road Races. Kells Road Races Crossakiel, Co. Meath. Photo: Barry Cregg)

For the Open race Derek Sheils started from pole position and was out to maintain his 2019 winning streak in the Open class. He made the hole-shot into turn one and lead the field down towards Hanlon's jump on the opening lap. His fellow Dubliner Michael Sweeney kept him honest for the first four laps until Sheils consistant lap times help him edge away from Sweeney. He ran in a comfortable winner by six seconds by the end of the race.The battle for the final podium spot also entertained the crowd as Thomas Maxwell and Paul Jordan battled it out for the whole race with Maxwell coming out on top by 0.061 of a second.

(16-06-2019: Derek Sheils, Suzuki GSXR 1000, leads Michael Sweeney, BMW S1000RR, over Hanlon's Leap during the Open race at Kells Road Races. Kells Road Races Crossakiel, Co. Meath. Photo: Barry Cregg)

For the Supersport 600 race Sheils again started from pole position, and led on the opening laps but Jordan made his move on lap three and took the lead on his Yamaha. It was turning into a cracker but sadly for Sheils his Yamaha cried enough and he had to retire. This let Jordan run home comfortably from Michael Sweeney and Daryl Tweed.

(16-06-2019: Derek Sheils, Yamaha R6, leads Paul Jordan, Yamaha R6, over Hanlon's Leap during the Supersport 600 race at Kells Road Races. Kells Road Races Crossakiel, Co. Meath. Photo: Barry Cregg)

(16-06-2019: Paul Jordan, Yamaha R6, leads Derek Sheils, Yamaha R6, over Hamlon's Leap during the Supersport 600 race at Kells Road Races. Kells Road Races Crossakiel, Co. Meath. Photo: Barry Cregg)

16-06-2019: Derek Sheils, Yamaha R6, leads Paul Jordan, Yamaha R6, over Hanlon's Leap during the Supersport 600 race at Kells Road Races. Kells Road Races Crossakiel, Co. Meath. Photo: Barry Cregg)

(16-06-2019: Paul Jordan, Yamaha R6, leads Derek Sheils, Yamaha R6, over Hamlon's Leap during the Supersport 600 race at Kells Road Races. Kells Road Races Crossakiel, Co. Meath. Photo: Barry Cregg)

In the Supertwins, Andy Farrell and Kevin Baker broke away from the field and battled closely for three quarters of the race but baker lost time on lap six giving Farrell a winning margin by 0.8 seconds at the end.

(16-06-2019: Andy farrell, Kawasaki 650, on his way to winning the supertwins race at Kells Road Races. Kells Road Races Crossakiel, Co. Meath. Photo: Barry Cregg )

A poor showing of Moto 3 and 125cc bikes with only eight bikes lining up on the grid makes for a worrying future for the class but that aside they put on a good show with Gary Dunlop leading from the off from Sam Grief who dropped to fourth in the end after Kevin Fitzpatrick and Melissa Kennedy got by with a lap to go. The sight of the yellow helmet stills gives the crowds a smile as it passes by the hedgerows and lets hope the class builds up in the future.

(16-06-2019: Gary Dublop, Honda, leads Sam Grief, Honda, on his way to winning the Moto 3 race at Kells Road Races. Kells Road Races Crossakiel, Co. Meath. Photo: Barry Cregg )

The Junior Support class was fought out between Eoin O'Siochru and Kevin Baker both on Kawasaki's, after inital leader Vinny Brennan lead dropped to third after lap one. Baker took over for the next two laps until lap three when O'Siochru made his move to the front where he stayed to the flag.

(16-06-2019: Andy McAllister, left, Suzuki GSXR 750, jumps Hanlon's Leap with Tommy Henry,right, Yamaha R6, on his way to winning the Senior Support race at Kells Road Races. Kells Road Races Crossakiel, Co. Meath. Photo: Barry Cregg)

(16-06-2019: Andy McAllister, Suzuki GSXR 750, jumps Hanlon's Leap on his way to winning the Senior Support race at Kells Road Races. Kells Road Races Crossakiel, Co. Meath. Photo: Barry Cregg)

In the Senior Support race a cracking battle between Andy McAllister on his Suzuki and Kevin Baker on his Yamaha unfolded for the first half of the race but McAllister pulled away in the end to win by five seconds. In the Classic 250 - 350cc race Ed Manley won easily from Brian Mateer and Ian Thompson. In the 500 - 100cc Classic race Richard Ford won from Ed Manly by a 1.5 seconds with Barry Davidson in third.

(16-06-2019: Flag Marshall Mike Murphy from Listowel; Co. Kerry; mans his post as Kevin Baker passes by during the Junior Support race at Kells Road Races. Kells Road Races Crossakiel; Co. Meath. Photo: Barry Cregg)

The Grand Final ended the days races with Sheils starting from pole again on his Suzuki. He again led the field into turn one and never looked back as he annihilated the field in a very impressive ride. Sadly Michael Sweeney's BMW S1000RR broke down on lap one ruling out any chance of a battle with Sheils.

(16-06-2019: Derek Sheils, Suzuki GSXR 1000R, on his way to winning the Grand Final race at Kells Road Races. Kells Road Races Crossakiel, Co. Meath. Photo: Barry Cregg)

Even if it had not broken down such was the pace of Sheils he wasn't going to threaten his fellow Dubliner. Shiels ran home a comfortable winner from Paul Jordan and Thomas Maxwell. Yes the grid was missing two top riders who would have made the races closer but that is the way of racing and hopefully all heal quickly and return to the race between the hedges soon. Next up is Enniskillen Road races which take place on the 28/29 of June.