Tyco BMWs Guy Martin scored double tops when he won both Superbike races at a sunny KDM Cookstown 100 road races. Martin, won the non championship superbike race from Michael Dunlop who had came from 5th to finish one hundredth of a second in arrears. Early leader Derek Sheils finished third.

This was a double celebration for the TYCO BMW team, prior the start of the KDM Cookstown 100 race, Hector Neil, was presented with a set of Crystal by Kenny Loughrin, Chairman of the Cookstown and District MCC, in recognition for his service( and continued service) to the sport.

In front of probably the biggest ever crowd seen at The Orittor circuit, The feature race of the day, the KDM Cookstown 100, saw Sheils on the BikeBitsNI Kawasaki take the lead, before Martin moved ahead on the Tyco BMW, looking menacing in third was Michael Dunlop on the Milwaukee Yamaha. Dunlop edged ahead of Sheils on lap 4, and headed in pursuit of the flying Martin, with the fastest lap of the race on lap 5,Dunlop closed on the leader, before making his move on lap 6 to take the lead, but it all went wrong on lap seven, as Dunlop highsided exiting Mackney, causing the race to be stopped. The organizers called the race a result, giving the popular TV Star Martin victory.

For Guy Martin, who had never won at Cookstown, this was indeed a dream start to his road race season, winning at the recent Scarborough meeting, and now a double at Cookstown.

Sheils took second, with Mar Trains Dean Harrisson coming from the second group to take third on corrected time. William Dunlop on the second BMW was 4th ahead of B.E.Racings Jamie Hamilton, with James Cowton competing the top 6.

William Dunlop was unstoppable in the 600class,taking the CD-IC Yamaha to a double in the championship and invitation races.

In the invitation race, Dean Harrisson took second from Jamie Hamilton.

The championship race was a much closer affair,with Derek McGee on the Wilson Craig Honda take second ahead of Harrison. Finishing a lonely in 4th place was Jamie Hamilton, well clear of Sheils in 5th spot with Seamus Elliot competing the top 6.

After setting the fastest lap of the race,Michael Dunlop retired on lap four.

The Supertwins provided the closest race of the day, with the top four covered by three quarters of a second!.Michael Dunlop silenced the critics, when he led the race from start to finish, but he had to work hard for his win with Michael Sweeney ,Jamie Hamilton and pole man James Cowton all breathing down his neck. Next home was Derek McGee who was somewhat held up in the early stages of the race, with Andy Lawson, coming from the second group to take 6th ahead of Andy Farrell who was shrugging off the effects of an earlier spill to take 7th spot. The leading quartet each broke the old lap record, with the new lap record now standing to James Cowton.

Sam Wilson gave the Joeys Bar 125 honda their first race win, when he headed home Nigel Moore and Paul Jordan in the 125 class. Moore however had the fastest lap of the race.

Barry Davison scored a double in the Classic races, when he topped both the 350 and 500classes.

Nigel Moore took second in the 350 class ahead of Scotlands Davie Hastings, whilst in the 500 class, it was fellow scot, Wattie Brown who took second ahead of Freddie Stewart.

Philip Shaw got his 250 championship score of to a good start when he won the 250 class from Richard Ford and Andy Hunt. Ford was successful in the 100 classic, when he beat Chris McGahon. Jamie O Brein was the early leader but retired on lap one, and Robert McCrum was a non starter.

There was local joy, when Dean Campbell scored his first ever win, taking the honours in the 750 support class.

In the junior support race, Brian Coomey snatched victory from Ben Rea on the last corner. Adam McLean, who was making his road race debut, took third, and also finished fourth in the 125 race.

Joe Newbould won the Trevor Ferguson memorial cup, winning the KDM Cookstown 100 B race.

Despite the unsavoury weather last night, the racing started off in damp conditions, and the weather improved.

Clerk of the Course, Francis Everard had a busy day, but kept the show running in a dignified manner, Francis also Thanked everyone for their excellent behaviour throughout the days proceedings.

This has indeed been an excellent start to the 2015 road race season. With the Tandragee national road race next Saturday, then the International North west 200 and Isle of Man TT races, todays racing has certainly proved, that we are in for a very close and exciting year ahead.

Full Results here ; http://www.biker.ie/racing/2015/

Words/Pics Baylon McCaughey – www.irishracephotography.com