It’s that time of the
year again when all roads lead to North County Dublin
for the annual Skerries 100 Road Races. Arguably the
most well known national event in the Irish Road Race
calendar, Skerries rarely fails to please the fans who
can get closer to the action than almost anywhere else.
There is a superb entry in all classes and every grid
is oversubscribed with countless riders making one off
Irish visits and debuts at Skerries. Local hero Martin
Finnegan is the main with all the pressure on his shoulders
having won six races in three years at his local venue,
but after an up and down start to the year his supremacy
could be under threat. He has taken drastic action to
cure his machinery problems, bringing in a new motor
direct from Honda Racing engine builder Chris Mayhew
and will be hoping that is enough to see off the competition
which is fierce.
The enigmatic Cameron Donald is amongst the newcomers
and as he has previously proved can learn circuits in
super quick time, Raymond Porter is on form after a
double win at Bush and John Burrows continues to climb
the ladder to close the gap with the top men. Adrian
Archibald is a surprise entry, but he always goes well
at Skerries and will be looking to put his TT woes behind
him this weekend. One man missing from the entry however,
is Guy Martin who has succumb to a team decision to
race at the Moto GP Superstock Support Races at Donnington
instead.
Race 1 – Junior Support Race
Sponsored by the Russell Family / Farm Care Products
There is a full grid for the Junior Support Race including
a massive amount of local lads looking for glory. Sheffield
rider Paul Newton could be the dark horse for honours
though after some strong showings earlier in the year
whilst Dunleer’s Stephen O’Brien continues
to make progress each race weekend.
The locals are led by Sean Leonard, Michael Weldon,
Niall Scollan, Dec Lynch and Liam McAleer and all of
them will be hoping to make an impression in front of
their home supporters.
Race 2 – Junior Classic Race
Sponsored by Dave Tracey Circuit Catering
The grid for the Junior Classic class is swelled considerably
over the norm for Skerries with a strong representation
from outside of Ireland. Heading that list will be Paul
Coward a former winner at Skerries, Tim Stephenson,
Dave Hedison and Scottish legend Denis Gallagher. They
are all 350cc mounted, and will do battle with fellow
350cc riders Adrian Elwood, Billy Lyle, RJ Woolsey and
Ed Manley amongst others.
In the 250cc class, brothers Bud and Tom Jackson head
the entry in the absence of Geoff McMullan, and they
are joined by fellow 250cc fast men Kevin Strowger and
Yarno Holland.
Race 3 – Open Race A
Sponsored by M&M Plastering
Race 10 – Open Race B
Sponsored by the Yacht Bar
Race 12 – Grand Final
Sponsored by Des D’Arcy
In the Superbike class, there will be two races for
the fastest 21 qualifiers plus a B Race for the rest.
Martin Finnegan will be out to keep his crown in this
class, and extend his lead in the Senior Irish Championship
over newcomer and close rival Cameron Donald. Donald
is likely to be Finnegan’s main rival, and has
shown already this year he can beat the big man from
Lusk.
Ray Porter is enjoying his racing more than ever at
present, and is continuing to make inroads in the Superbike
class and should be up for the battle with the two Honda
riders, whilst Adrian Archibald on the TAS Suzuki will
be looking to kick start his season with a good result.
John Burrows leads the best of the rest along with
John Walsh who was particularly impressive here twelve
months ago, Tim and Roger Maher (un related) and Damien
Mulleady. The 600cc machines of Darran Lindsay, Victor
Gilmore and Davy Morgan should also be well to the fore
around the tight Skerries circuit.
Keep a look out for the progress of former MGP winner
and TT hero Dean Silvester making his debut at Skerries.
Race 4 – Senior Support Race A
Sponsored by Bike World
Race11 – Senior Support Race B
Sponsored by GCH Autos
The Senior Support Race could be one of the races
of the day with a strong entry of class regulars and
riders having a one off ride. JD’s Racing’s
Wayne Kirwin is the smart money favourite, but Skerries
can be a good leveller and he is likely to have to work
harder than ever. Andrew Brady heads the opposition,
along with Niall Scollan, Olly O’Connor, Michael
and Kevin Fitzpatrick and Wayne Kennedy.
Keep a look out for local aces Gareth Costello and
Declan Lynch whilst MGP hopeful Scott Wilson could also
spring a surprise.
Race 5 – 250cc Race
Sponsored by Street Sweep / the Two Stroke Racing
Supporters Club
Last year the 250cc class provided one of the best
races of the day and again the entry is good for this
year’s race. Darran Lindsay is the favourite for
honours as is often the case in the smaller capacity
classes, but he faces some stiff opposition. Davy Morgan
won this race last year and will be looking to make
it two out of two, whilst John Burrows has been a constant
threat on the smaller machine this season.
William Dunlop, Barry Davidson, Yarno Holland and Andrew
Courtney are all familiar with the podium in 250cc racing,
whilst young gun Michael Dunlop and local veteran Marc
Curtin will both have a point to prove.
The visiting entry is headed by TT star Paul Owen,
former British 125cc Champion Garry Dickenson and Manx
GP hopeful Brian Spooner.
Race 6 – 125cc Race
Sponsored by Sam Dennigan and Co
Darran Lindsay will take on the might of the Dunlop
clan in the 125cc Race with Robert leading the charge
along with sons William (last years winner) and Michael
plus the ever improving Samuel.
Local hero Marc Curtin will be looking for another
win around Skerries, with others likely to be in the
mix including Nigel Moore, Adrian Coleman, Paul Robinson,
Trevor Ritchie, Jeff Shaw and Matty Monaghan. Welsh
ace Nigel John is also entered and he will be looking
to repeat his race victory from 2000.
Race 7 – 600cc Race A
Sponsored by the Malting House
Race 8 – 600cc Race B
Sponsored by Gorey Bikes
The 600cc class is likely to be very close with a
four way battle in prospect between Raymond Porter,
Cameron Donald, Darran Lindsay and Martin Finnegan,
anyone of which could take the victory. Add in Adrian
Archibald, John Burrows, Davy Morgan and William Dunlop
and we have a real race on our hands.
Others likely to go well include James Redpath, Andrew
Courtney, Victor Gilmore and newcomers Dean Silvester
and Conor Cummins, the latter man making his debut for
the JMF team on a stock standard R6 Yamaha.
Race 9 – Senior Classic Race
Sponsored by B&V Nurseries / Clinton Enterprises
Full grids are again the order of the day for the
big Classic Race with Paul Coward on the Norton one
of the many riders likely to feature at the front. Adrian
Elwood, Robert McCrum, Billy Lyle, Freddie Stewart and
Bud Jackson all have good CV’s in this class also,
making it an exciting race for fans of the big thumpers.
As usual the Loughshinny MCSC have done a superb job
of attracting the best entry possible for their event,
and no doubt they have the usual warm and sunny weather
well booked in advance for the weekends festivities.
It’s going to be a great weekends racing, but
if you can’t make it along, don’t worry
too much, because we will be reporting live and direct
from the circuit all weekend long.
Roads close earlier than normal on Friday afternoon
at 2:30pm to accommodate the first two races in the
programme. They close again on Saturday at 10:00am for
a full race programme.
Wishing everyone involved with this weekends racing
the best of luck for a safe and successful time.
Words by
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