Iddon shines in Sunflower Trophy sunshine

Christian Iddon, BMWS1000RR, leads Richard Cooper, Suzuki GSXR1000R, on his way to winning the J.A.S. Finlay Sunflower Trophy race. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

In stark contrast to day one of the J.A.S. Finlay Foods Sunflower Trophy races, a cool but sunny day greeted riders on Saturday for the 42nd running of the annual end of year meeting. While sadly the entry didn't attract the front runners from the south top northern riders came out to try they hand against BSB riders Richard Cooper on his Buildbase Suzuki and Christian Iddon on his Tyco BMW. Rising star Eunan McGlinchey got the chance to ride on the Team McAdoo Racing Supersport and Supertwin Kawasaki's for this event and other BSB runners Kevin Keyes, Alastair Seeley and Richard Kerr also joined the grid for this years event.

Richard Cooper, Suzuki GSXR1000R, leads the field out of turn one during Superbike race two. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Iddon drew first blood on Friday to take the opening Superbike race from Cooper and was out to make it two from two in the second superbike race on Saturday morning. It was Cooper on his Suzuki GSXR 1000R however, who got the best start and lead the field through turn one and held it until the halfway point from Iddon on his BMWS1000RR. The Stockport man made his move on lap five only to loose it a lap later to his Nottingham rival who was like a terrier that would not let go. Through this Iddon ran wide at turn one on lap seven and having no choice but to ride through the gravel and on to the grass again after crossing the track, luckily not colliding with Cooper in doing so. The chance of a win gone but still a podium easily on the cards, until the following lap where again at turn one he lost the front end on the exit and held on to his bike all the way to the gravel trap ending his race. David Allingham made it a Buildbase podium double by coming in third. Gerard Kingham split the team-mates by taking second on the last lap on his Yamaha.

Richard Cooper, Suzuki GSXR1000R, leads Christian Iddon, BMWS1000RR, during Superbike race two. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Christian Iddon, BMWS1000RR, crashes out of Superbike race two. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Christian Iddon, BMWS1000RR, crashes out of Superbike race two. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

For the first Supersport race Simon Reid made the best start and lead the field into turn one with McGlinchey and Kerr tucked in behind. McGlinchey lead shortly after until a mistake going into turn two on the penultimate lap when he lost the front end of his Kawasaki ending what was a great ride up to then. Also impressing was runner-up Ross Patterson on his Yamaha. Alastair Seeley made through the field to take third place.

RIchard Kerr, Triumph 675, on his way to winning Supersport race one. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Alastair Seeley, Yamaha R6, leads Eunan McGlinchey, Kawasaki, ZX6 and Richard Kerr, Triumph 675, during Supersport race one. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Eunan McGlinchey, Kawasaki ZX6, in action during Supersport race one. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

In the first Supertwins Eunan McGlinchey had a race long battle with former 250 GP winner Jeremy McWilliams before comfortably winning by 2.745 seconds. Cameron Dawson took third. A great result for the young Aghadowey man on his debut outing for the McAdoo team and making up for his earlier mistake in the Supersport race.

Jeremy McWilliams Kawasaki 650, in action during Supertwins race one. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

For the feature, the J.A.S. Finlay Sunflower Trophy race Iddon and Cooper once again were the men to beat. With Cooper out to make it two Sunflower Trophy's in a row and Iddon out to take his maiden Sunflower Trophy it was shaping up to be a belter. The two visiting riders did not disappoint the large crowd who braved the cold breeze in a deceivingly sunny day.

Richard Cooper, Suzuki GSXR 1000R, leads Christian Iddon, BMWS1000RR, during the J.A.S. Finlay Sunflower Trophy race. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

The current British Superstock champion hounded his British Superbike rival on lap one and made a bold but brave move round the outside at Ringawaddy leaving many spectators gasping at the move. Iddon hit back though on the following lap by retaking the lead and clearly had better power out of the corners on his BMW. But Cooper was not giving up without a fit and put his Suzuki ahead again on lap nine of twelve. With a lap to go the leaders closed in rapidly on backmakers and Iddon retook the lead and used the backmarker to his advantage in the final few corners leaving Cooper without a chance to reply. An annoying end for Cooper and spectators alike who were hoping for a dash to the line and maybe a photo finish, but it wasn't to be as Iddon took the win by 0.3 seconds. Deservedly so as he showed why he is a BSB front runner and after getting up from a very quick slide off in race two earlier in the day. Behind the front two David Allingham came home in third on his Buildbase Suzuki. 

Christian Iddon, BMWS1000RR, leads Richard Cooper, Suzuki GSXR 1000R, on his way to winning the J.A.S. Finlay Sunflower Trophy Race. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

In the second Supersport race Richard Kerr made it a double by taking the win from Eunan McGlinchey and Ross Patterson. Kerr another of the rising stars from these shores showed why he is at the sharp end of the Supersport class in BSB as he lead from lights to flag.

Jeremy McWilliams, Kawasaki 650, leads Eunan McGlinchey, Kawasaki 650, during Supertwins race two. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Another battle royal commenced in the second Supertwins race of the day between McGlinchey and McWilliams as the old hand once again chased down the young pup. Showing that he has lost none of his race craft McWilliams took over the lead on lap five and set about pulling away but his efforts were in vain as McGlinchey retook the lead on the penultimate lap and crossed the line 0.273 seconds to make it a Supertwin double.

Eunan McGlinchey, Kawasaki 650, leads Jeremy McWilliams, Kawasaki 650, on his way to winning Supertwins races two. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Eunan McGlinchey, Kawasaki 650, leads Jeremy McWilliams, Kawasaki 650, towards the chequered flag on his way to winning Supertwins races two. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

It may not be the meeting it once was but as the old saying goes " It only takes two to make a race", certainly did not fail to entertain with close, hard, tough racing through the field in all classes. Im sure Sunflower 2020 will be just as good.

Ian Lougher ahead of the days races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.