Country Crest Skerries 100 Road Races

What a difference 24 hours makes as blue skies and warm sunshine greeted spectators and competitors alike. It was an early start for organizers who were out manning their posts and road ends and preparing the track for the days races. The newly resurfaced areas stood out alongside the rich green colours of the local farmers fields of barley on the back section of the course. 

Opening the days race card was the Junior Support class. Vinny Brennan on his Suzuki 650 lead from Eoin O'Sochru on his Kawasaki ER6 with Noel Smith on his Kawasaki ER6 in third on the opening lap. Brennan continued to hold the lead for the next increasing it on each lap. He built up a 2.403 second lead by lap five over O'Sochru and held it to the chequered flag. Smith round out the podium in third.

Vinny Brennan, Kawasaki ER6, leads Noel Smith, Kawasaki ER6, over Gillie's Leap on his way to winning the Junior Support race. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Next up were the Superbikes for their first outing of the day, where local men Derek Sheils, Michael Sweeney and Andy Farrell were out to claim victory on home turf. With conditions deemed to unsafe to have timed qualifying yesterday the grid for all classes was formed by championship order. This meant Sheils lined up on pole on his Suzuki GSXR 1000 and lead into turn one followed by Sweeney and James Chawke. The front three were covered by only a second over the first lap. Then Sheils began to open a lead and built it up to 0.4 seconds by the beginning of the third lap until the red flags came out when Forest Dunne crashed at Baldungan corner. He was taken to hospital for observation but thankfully has no serious injuries. The race was then declared a result.

Derek Shiels, Suzuki GSXR 1000, leads MIcahel Sweeney, BMW S1000RR, on his way to winning the Open class race. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Derek Sheils, Suzuki GSXR 1000, in action over Gillie's Leap on his way to winning the Open race. Photo: Barry Cregg.

With riders needing to refuel their bike the race was put back until after the 250-3500cc classic race. Where Brian Mateer comfortably won from Philip Shaw and Gary Hutton in the 250cc class. Barry Davidson lead from start to finish in the 350cc class winning by 10.5 seconds from Edward manly who did put up a fight for the first half of the race.

Barry Davidson, Honda, on his way to wining the 350cc Classic Race. Photo: Barry Cregg

Supersport riders provided the next race where Michael Sweeney on his Yamaha R6 was out to repeat his victory of last year. As they exited Finegan's corner it was Sweeney who lead. Daryl Tweed lay in second with Derek Sheils in third. Sweeney set upon building his advantage and opened up a 0.601 second lead as Tweed and Sheils battled behind. Then on lap three Sheils got past Tweed and began to chase down Sweeney. The three riders closed up together being covered by less than a second. On lap four Sheils took the lead and as hard a Sweeney tried, he could not get past his fellow Dubliner. Sheils took the chequered flag by 0.064 of a second ahead of Sweeney with Tweed taking the final podium spot.

Derek Sheils, Yamaha R6, leads Michael Sweeney, Yamaha R6, on his way to winning the Superport race. Photo: Barry Cregg

Michael Sweeney, Yamaha R6, leads Daryl Tweed, Honda and Derek Sheils, Yamaha, on the open lap of the Supersport race. Photo: Barry Cregg

Michael Sweeney, Yamaha R6, leads Derek Sheils, Yamaha, and Daryl Tweed, Honda  on the open lap of the Supersport race. Photo: Barry Cregg. 

The years rolled back for spectators as they got to see the most famous yellow helmet in motorcycling flash between the hedges as the 125 cc and Moto 3 bikes took to the track. Leading the field from the off was Gary Dunlop on his Moto 3 Honda followed by Sam Grief, Kevin Fitzpatrick and Melissa Kennedy. On lap three Grief came into mechanical trouble and which forced his retirement. Fitzpatick began to close the gap to Dunlop but with two laps to go Fitzpatrick's Honda had cried enough and he too had to retire leaving an easy run home for Dunlop with Melissa Kennedy and Wayne Kenndy following him home.

Gary Dunlop, Honda Moto 3, on his way to winning the Moto 3 race. Photo Barry Cregg.

Gary Dunlop, Honda Moto 3, on his way to winning the Moto 3 race. Photo Barry Cregg.

Gary Dunlop, Honda Moto 3, on his way to winning the Moto 3 race. Photo Barry Cregg.

Guy Martin, BSA Rocket, on his way to winning the Classic 1000 cc race. Photo Barry Cregg.

Guy Martin who made his second appearance on Irish soil this year took the win in the Classic 1000cc race after battling with Richard Ford for the early part of the race but once he got into the lead he maintained the gap to the chequered flag.

The very popular Supertwin machines followed the Classic 1000 cc race where locals Andy Farrell and Michael Sweeney were again favorites to take the honors. It was Michael Sweeney on his Kawasaki ER6 who lead the field on lap one. Sweeney still lead from Andy Farrell on his Kawasaki and Neil Kernoghan as they broke away from the rest of the pack. By lap six Sweeney increased his lead to 1.7 seconds and held it to the end.

Michael Sweeney, Kawasaki ER6 on his way to winning the Supertwins race. Photo: Barry Cregg

Michael Sweeney, Kawasaki ER6, leads Andy Farrell, Kawasaki, on his way to winning the Supertwins race. Photo: Barry Cregg

Senior support riders again entertained the crowds this year as Dermot Cleary on his Yamaha R6 lead the field on lap one from Tommy Henry, Andy McAllister and Darren Keys, Darren Keys on his Suzuki GSXR 750, made his move to the front followed by Andy McAllister also on a Suzuki, rele  gating Cleary to third. Keys and McAllister battled it out for the next two laps swapping places as they broke away from both Henry and Cleary who by now were having their own scrap for the final podium position. On lap four Keys took the lead from McAlllister and held it to the end winning by 2.737 seconds. Tommy Henry won his battle with Cleary to take third but by only 0.2 of a second.

Darren Keys, Suzuki GSXR 750, on his way to winning the Senior Support race. Photo: Barry Cregg.

A general view of a spectator capturing the action during the Senior Support race.

Andy McAllister, Suzuki GSXR 750, leads Darren Keys, Suzuki GSXR 750, during the Senior Support race. Photo: Barry Cregg.

The final race of the day again saw the Superbikes being wheel out for their second time of the day.

The Grand final is the one they all want to win as it holds the biggest pot of cash for the winner. Realistically though it was only going to be between Derek Sheils and Michael Sweeney. Suzuki versus BMW. Just like the Open race Sheils got the best start and lead into Finnegan's corner and just like Kells three weeks ago he set about opening a gap on the rest from the off. Sweeney did his best to try and stay on Sheils pace but just could not get closer than 0.755 of second. Later he would say the lack of grip held him back as the new surface had caused more tyre wear than he expected. That said Sheils again was in a class of his own putting in consistent lap times throughout the race and taking the win by 6.605 second with Mike Browne finishing in third place. So in the end the Loughshinny Motorcycle Club put on a great days racing and at in glorious weather. Thankfully the riders that had some offs are ok and did not suffer serious injuries.

Derek Sheils, Suzuki GSXR 1000, in action during the Grand Final race. Photo Barry Cregg

Derek Sheils, Suzuki GSXR 1000, on his way to winning the Grand Final race. Photo Barry Cregg

Derek Sheils, Suzuki GSXR 1000, receives applause from spectators after winning the Grand Final race. Photo Barry Cregg

Derek Sheils, Suzuki GSXR 1000, in action during the Grand Final race. Photo Barry Cregg.

Derek Sheils, Suzuki GSXR 1000, leads Michael Sweeney, BMW S1000RR, during the Grand Final race. Photo Barry Cregg.