Hamilton looking forward to this weekend’s Cookstown 100

The Times caught up with the local star just before he set off for the opening road race of the season and he was in great form. As he explains, things have been on the up since he joined John Burrows’ team for this season.

“We had good testing in Spain and a couple of days at Kirkistown then on Easter Monday things went real good and we came away with two wins and two second places,” he said.

“I feel fit and am happy with the team so I am feeling really good now in the build-up to the Cookstown.

“I’m feeling really confident and things are going real good with the team and I really believe that all three bikes are capable of winning, which puts me in the best state of mind ever going to the Cookstown. Hopefully we can go there and try and push for a few wins in all the classes.”

Do you enjoy the Cookstown 100?

“Yeah I have always enjoyed going to the Cookstown. The crowd’s massive at it and, with it being the first road race of the season, there is a real buzz about the place. It’s the home race for the Cookstown B.E. Racing team and sponsors so hopefully I can make it all work.”

What about the opposition?

“There are a lot of names there who are going to be fast. Guy Martin, Dean Harrison, Michael and William Dunlop.

“But I honestly believe that none of them are really on a proper proven package in the superbike class anyway, whereas I believe that what I have I know is good.

“It won last year with Dan Kneen on board so I definitely believe that I can do the same this year on it myself.”

Cookstown 100 programme of events:
Friday, April 24 – Practice Day. Saturday, April 25 – Race Day.

Seeley fifth at

Brands Hatch

Carrick’s Alastair Seeley took fifth place in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000cc class at Brands Hatch in round two of the British Championship.

But for a small electrical problem just two corners from home, it would surely have been victory for the Tyco BMW rider who dominated the race in the closing stages.

“We made changes for the race and I felt comfortable on the S 1000 RR after a decent enough start,” Seeley said. “I led pretty much from lap eight right until the last lap, and coming out of Graham Hill and up towards Surtees I knew I had the race won.

“Unfortunately the bike cut out, which we now know was a problem with a wire shorting out underneath the seat unit. But it could have been a DNF, so we will take the positives from rolling across the line in fifth, as we know how strong the package is already for this campaign.”

Glenn Irwin

fourth in title race

Carrick rider Glenn Irwin occupies fourth spot in the Supersport standings after the weekend’s races at Brands Hatch.

A lightning start in the first race on Saturday saw him gain the hole-shot and he led the race, only to be passed by eventual winner Kyle Ryde. He was then locked in a battle with Championship leader, Luke Stapleford for second place and held him off to the line by 0.1 seconds.

In race two Glenn finished fourth. He started from third on the grid for the 20-lap race, he got a great start and was leading the opening three laps, he was passed briefly by Luke Stapleford for one lap before retaking the lead. Despite his best effort Glenn was passed by Kyle Ryde and Jake Dixon and had to settle for fourth place.

Glenn’s brother Andrew finished sixth in the 600 superstock race on the MWR Kawasaki.