Irwin brothers determined to build on flying starts
THE opening British Superbike triple-header at Donington Park a fortnight ago produced scintillating racing and high drama — and now the scene is set for another three races in the battle for supremacy at Snetterton Race of Aces this weekend.
The Irwin brothers, Glenn and Andrew, set pulses racing at Donington on the all-new Honda Racing Fireblade and are currently sitting one-two in the standings with the former 10 points ahead of his younger brother.
However, the fast Norfolk circuit may favour the Vision Track Ducatis of Josh Brookes and Christian Iddon, while the similar machine of Tommy Bridewell in Oxford Products colours was the runaway winner of the third race at the East Midlands circuit.
Andrew begins the opening race tomorrow with a massive handicap as he has to start from the back row of the grid after incurring the wrath of officials following a close pass on Brookes in the final race at Donington.
Glenn said: “I think we definitely exceeded expectations in the opening round and my consistency (three second-place finishes) made it a dream debut for myself and the new Honda.”
And on three hard-fought battles with his brother, he added: “It was really good and I always knew it was going right to the wire in each race and I’m sure it will be the same this weekend. I expect Snetterton to be harder for us as the Ducatis enjoyed a good margin over the rest of the field last year, so my target is to significantly close the gap and everything else will be a bonus.”
Meanwhile, Andrew was philosophical. He said: “In Saturday’s
race we start from the back of the grid, but we’ll try and make the most of the situation, try and get a good lap time to get us further up the grid for the following day’s two races.
“Three solid top-six points-scoring races has to be the main target for the weekend.”
The Moneymore-based Synetiq BMWS of Taylor Mackenzie and Bradley Ray will look for an improvement on the latter’s 12thplace finishes at Donington.
Keith Farmer is a non-starter as he recovers from a shoulder injury picked up at Donington, his place in the Buildbase Suzuki squad taken by Gino Rea.
Richard Kerr, Korie Mcgreevy, Alastair Seeley (GP2), Ross Patterson, Scott Swann and Lee Johnston (a four-time Supersport winner at Scarborough last weekend) should be in the thick of it in Supersport and GP2.
Randalstown brothers Eugene and James Mcmanus will be looking for top finishes as will young Cameron Dawson, Caolan andrhysirwinandsimonreid.