Sheils Shines In Leinster 200 Downpour

Derek Sheils, BMWS1000RR, in action on his way to winning the Leinster 200. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Blessington’s Derek Sheils took home the prestigious Leinster 200 trophy for a third time after clinching victory at a very wet Mondello Park on Sunday. With the dark clouds looming around the county Kildare track all day, it was looking ominous that they would open at some stage. Then with pitlane about to open for riders a monsoon like shower of rain came down. It lasted only 10 minutes, but it was enough to leave large amounts of water lying on track in various parts and to threaten the race entirely. Some riders jokingly suggested swapping their bikes for canoes! However, the Mondello track staff worked wonders and managed to clear enough of the water to let racing go ahead.

Derek Sheils, BMWS1000RR, leads Alan Kenny, Yamaha R1, on his way to winning the Leinster 200. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Even with a lot of the water removed it was still far from ideal conditions as wet weather racing even goes. With the two other superbike races held over the weekend in dry conditions it wasn’t the only wet weather experience riders had at this meeting. Qualifying was also wet so some comfort could be taken for the riders in setting their bikes up for the wet. Qualifying didn’t go to plan for the Road House Macau backed Sheils, stating from an unusual 14^th hampered his progress in the earlier two superbike races round the 3.5km International layout which was being used for this meeting. He battled his way through a competitive pack which consisted of Kerry’s Emmet O’Grady on his Honda Fireblade, Waterford’s Brian McCormack on his BMW S1000RR, Alan Kenny on his Yamaha R1 and series leader Thomas O’Grady also on a Yamaha R1 to take a second and third place. It was good points for his championship hopes though, after missing the previous round while competing at the Isle of Man TT.

Thomas O'Grady, Yamaha R1, leads Derek Sheils, BMWS1000RR, during the Leinster 200. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

The last superbike race was the one they all wanted to win though as it was for the prestigious Leinster 200 trophy. First presented in 1923 to N.P. Metcalfe it has passed through such famous motorcycle racing hands through the years such as Graham Walker (father of the late Murray Walker), Reg Armstrong, Ralph Byrans, Joey Dunlop, Eddie Laycock, Jeremy McWilliams to name but a few. With two wins under his belt already Dubliner Thomas O’Grady was favourite but with the weather change it was anyone’s as the lined up on the grid for the 7-lap dash. It was Brian McCormack who would start from Pole with Sheils second and Alan Kenny third. Then just before the lights went out McCormack BMW cut out and was unable to get it restarted in time and had to wheel it off the grid. A real shame for the Waterford man who would have been one of the favourites.

Alan Kenny, Yamaha R1, leads Derek Sheils, BMWS1000RR, and Thomas O'Grady, Yamaha R1, during the Leinster 200. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

When the race did get underway it was Sheils who got the best start and lead the field into turn 1, but Thomas O’Grady who was in confident form went past on the outside as they exited the turn and took the lead. Riders not only have to contend with the slippery surface in the wet but the spray of water coming up from the bikes ahead is just as bad if not worse. The visibility is cut right down and as the evening sun was coming down it was the ultimate test for the riders this time out. Sheils dropped further back to third as Alan Kenny came by on the run to turn 3. It was early stages though but by the end of the lap Sheils was back up to second passing Kenny into the right hander at turn 7 and closed in on O’Grady. Unfortunately, Cork rider Ray Casey fell on the penultimate corner, thankfully unharmed but it showed how easy it was to get caught out. Halfway through the second lap the front two had pulled away and were making it a battle between them as Kenny struggled to keep up the fast pace of O’Grady and Sheils in the worsening conditions as rain began to fall again. With two riders further down the field coming off the race was red flagged. Thankfully all were ok but unable to take to the grid again. The restarted race would be over four laps so there would be no time for settling into this one and cross the line first at the end of the laps would be important in case anymore red flags came out. On the second time of asking it was again Sheils got the best start but again he let the second-place man round the outside to take the lead. This time it was Alan Kenny who took over at the front and looked to have more pace than in the first part of the race. However in a copy of the move he made earlier Sheils got by Kenny into turn 7. Thomas O’Grady was also closing in on the front two with Daniel Matheson and Emmet O’Grady(no relation) also shortening the gap in fourth and fifth. This was shaping up to be a close fought race despite the terrible conditions. A lap later as Sheils lead, behind him Kenny ran wide at Birrane’s Bends dropping back to both O’Gradys. 

Derek Sheils, BMWS1000RR, leads Alan Kenny, Yamaha R1, on his way to winning the Leinster 200. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

It was Emmet O’Grady on his Honda Fireblade who looked to have the better pace as he passed Thomas O’Grady into the final corner and then set about catching the front two. The rain was getting harder with a lap to go but Sheils stayed steady and controlled his lead, but at the long right Parabolica the back end stepped out on him. He saved it but dropped some valuable time to Kenny and the flying O’Grady. Four corners later O’Grady got down the inside of Kenny going into Devaney’s to move into second. Now the front three were together and with only one lap to go it could be anyone of the top three.

Alan Kenny, Yamaha R1, leads Derek Sheils, BMWS1000RR, and Thomas O'Grady, Yamaha R1, during the Leinster 200. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Then as they came out of the final corner to start the final lap O’Grady got on the power a fraction early and the rear wheel stepped out and down, he went. Thankfully not seriously hurt, slightly winded maybe, but he got up and off the track but his bike was in a much to dangerous place for on coming riders and the red flags were brought out once again. The race was declared with Derek Sheils taking the win ahead of Alan Kenny with Thomas O’Grady in third.

Speaking after the race the winner was happy but relieved to take the win. “I’m delighted to take the win and the Leinster 200 trophy again, but the conditions were awful. It was like riding on marbles out there. I didn’t qualify well but was doing quicker times in the races, but it just took time to get through the pack, but it was still good close racing and fair play to Tom he rode very well all weekend too.”

Derek Sheils, with the Leinster 200 trophy and his BMWS1000RR. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

That win and other two podiums have put him right back into contention for the title where the next round takes place on the 27^th and 28^th of August.