Irwin boys are finding their groove at Donington
BROTHERS Glenn and Andrew Irwin finished fourth and fifth fastest respectively for Honda Racing after four sessions during yesterday’s final British Superbike pre-season tests at Donington Park National circuit.
The coronavirus-delayed opening round of the 2020 series at the same venue will be held between August 7-9, and spectators will be allowed — following social distancing rules, of course.
Kawasaki rider Lee Jackson was fastest with a time of one minute, 06.583 seconds on his very last lap to pip Jason O’halloran by 0.014 seconds, with Hector Barbera a further 0.003 seconds back in third. The Carrickfergus brothers were next up, Glenn 0.037 seconds behind the Spaniard and 0.026 seconds ahead of Andrew.
One second covered the top 18 riders with Dublin’s Jack Kennedy, a double Supersport champion, in 17th, Keith Farmer 19th, another Irwin, Graeme, making his Superbike debut this season, in 24th and Brian Mccormack in 27 th.
Hector and Philip Neill’s Synetiq BMW team of Bradley Ray and Taylor Mackenzie were 10th and 25th respectively.
Michael Dunlop was in action on the Buildbase Suzuki Superstock machine and ended the day in 32nd position after four sessions, his fastest time one minute, 10.187 seconds, two seconds down on fastest man Chrissy Rouse.
Thirteen Irish riders tackled the Supersport and GP2 Cup with Donegal’s Richard Kerr, on his Campbell Triumph, the best of them in sixth position, 1.66 seconds behind fastest man Rory Skinner on the Tyser Yamaha.
Superstock 600 British champion Korie Mcgreevy has stepped up to Supersport for 2020 and ended the day a credible seventh fastest.
Alastair Seeley, third in last year’s series, has switched to GP2 this season on a Quattro ABM Triumph and was fifth yesterday in the class.