EASTER MONDAY, KIRKISTOWN
IRISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP (ROUNDS 3 AND 4)

The early Easter date this year offered difficult racing conditions for motorcycle racing. The problem was not rain but was in fact the very cold temperatures and blustery winds which by mid afternoon lead a large number of competitors to the conclusion that it was not safe to continue. This situation developed further following a riders meeting in the mid afternoon. By this time there had been a number of red flag incidents, riders were experiencing lack of grip which was attributed to tyres not getting up to the right temperature. After careful consideration it was decided to abandon the remaining part of the race meeting on the grounds of safety.

Results:
The results which have been supplied by Richard Agnew and ratified at the Stewards meeting immediately after racing can be accessed by clicking on the following PDF files. The 250cc race did not run.

Superbike - SuperSport 600 - MiniTwins - 250GP - 125GP - Sidecars - Classic

Racing:
Despite the fact that the meeting was cut short there was some great racing from a top quality entry as the photograps below will show. More Photos will be put on the site in due course.

125GP (Sponsored by Regency Cars)
Race 1 got underway with the Regency Cars 125cc which included Paul Robinson, Mark Lunney, Tim Stott, Davy Lemon, Mark Hanna, Andrew Pollock and Derard Donnelly. Bruce Moulds and Frank Kennedy came off during the race but were both OK. At the line Paul Robinson who is unbeatable when the bike is going well for him took the win with Mark Lunney close on his tail. Time Stott took 3rd, it is good to see Tim out again, we did not see to much of him last year.

ISB and SuperSport 600 (Sponsored by Mar Properties and Mermaids Supporters Club)
The big bike classes were spearheaded by the TAS Relentless Suzuki team including Michael Laverty, Bruce Anstey, Cameron Donald and Ian Lowry. They were up against a formidable list of competitors, to name a few, Michael Pearson, Keith Amor, Marshall Neil, Denver Robb, William Dunlop, Kirk Jamison, Bruce Birnie, John Anderton, Matthew Percy, Adrian Archibald, Ryan Farquhar and Alistair Seeley.
Unfortunately the first ISB race was postponed after two re-starts and two red flag incidents. These involved Michael Pearson and Denver Robb who were both taken to hospital by ambulance. Later on Alistair Kirk and John Anderton also came off their machines and were also taken to hospital. We wish all of these competitors a full and speedy recovery.

MiniTwins (Issac Agnew Van Centre)
In the Mini Twins class the leader of the pack was none other than Lee Hill who dominated this class last year. Alan Glasgow who took second place was up there initially but dropped back towards the finish. Third place went to Alan Brown. Gary Fowler had a good day finishing 12th which rounded off a successful weekend of racing.

Sidecars (ARDS Tourism)
The Sidecar race was cut to six laps provided the closest finish of the day. Scobbie Killough and temporary passenger D Lynch took the win with only .224 secs to spare in front of A Johnston and K Young. S Galligan and F Woodlock took 3rd place.

Paddy Marley who normally rides as Scobbies passenger has recently had a shoulder operation, we wish him well for a speedy recovery.

Classic (Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club and JT Baylis)
To try and make up time from the earlier red flag incidents this race was also cut to six laps. The Conroys were out in force again with James taking the win on his 350cc Honda and Alex coming home in third place riding a 496cc Honda. Separating the pair, in second place was Tom Robinson also riding a 500cc Honda.

All photographs kindly supplied by Baylon McCaughey and Alan Armstrong: