Sorry for the delay in getting my newsletters out as I have been very busy with racing and work.
Armoy Road Race
I was a newcomer to this circuit, which was started last year to commemorate the Dunlop Brothers. We arrived to a Damp field and managed to get the truck in. We set everything up and had a look round the 3.08mile circuit, which was tight, fast, and some good Jumps!
All my races were back to back!
Race 1 Supertwins: I started from 8th on the grid and went out with the intention not to drop any places. I found myself battling with Adrian Mcfarland who was on a Aprilia SXV550 which had loads of down low torque and through the mid range. I would pass him on the straights and he would pass me out of corners. We had a good close race and I finished 6th.
Race 2 Jnr Support: I started 5th on the grid and from the first corner I went hard. I was up to 4th and battling with Damien Howard, who I passed going into the last corner. I was upto 3rd and tried to Hunt down 2nd but the gap was too big.
![Image](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs152.ash2/40919_149334768411592_100000052080421_450874_2245830_n.jpg)
Race 3 Snr Support: I started from 6th on the grid and I was a bit tired as all these races had been back to back. I managed to have a good steady race and finished in 5th position. The best part about the Armoy circuit was the flat out 6th gear jumps (See pic)
![Image](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs123.ash2/39472_10150253091960161_881370160_13928811_401453_n.jpg)
From Armoy we packed up and headed straight to the Ulster GP. The Fastest road race in the world with the average lap record speed on a superbike being 133.9mph!
We got the truck on to the hard standing concrete after the wet field of Armoy!
Practice: We received five newcomers practice laps and instantly you know that it’s a quick, Quick circuit! I found myself being deceived by the speed breaking to early, Tipping in and your concentration levels are heightened. I managed to get 102mph average in the practice to 105mph in the Qualifying which put me 10th on the grid for the race.
Race1 Supertwins race: I was sitting nervously on the grid and the lights went to green. Down towards the first corner is flat out in 6th gear and the Slip stream affect in unbelievable. I went into the first corner 6th and immediately went off and onto the grass as I hadn’t warmed the brakes up properly on the warm up lap! (Lesson Learned) I managed to get back on but I couldn’t see the pack that I was with, So I pulled my finger out got my head down and went for it. I managed to catch up on the riders infront and picked away finishing the race in 10th and an average speed of 107.32mph. I said I wanted to finish in the top ten and did.
![Image](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs394.snc4/45722_1487283436271_1659505297_31215313_6333504_n.jpg)
![Image](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs127.ash2/39706_422958724447_709454447_4558654_4901955_n.jpg)
Scarbourgh Gold Cup Races
I had been looking forward to getting back to Scarbourgh after the UP’s and Downs of last meeting where I broke my Knuckle.
Race 1 SS600: I found myself having handling issues with the bike and after lots of different setting we decided the shocker was goosed! I managed to finish 11th out of 30 odd riders but well off my normal pace!
Race 2 Supertwins: I started off of 6th on the grid and from the start was battling with Dave Bell. Very hard Ex-Moto X rider to pass, I finally got past at the hairpin and pulled away in 4th place and I was hunting down 3rd when the red flag went out and the race was called! So I finished 4th.
![Image](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs320.ash2/59991_1621408452297_1149020700_31768745_2702890_n.jpg)
Race 3 Moto450/125GP: I had been looking forward to this all day. I thought if I could keep with any of the GP125 bikes I would be happy. From the start I had William Dunlop in my sights and tailed him for two laps and decided to pass him going into the start finish hairpin! I had a “I just passed him†Moment!! I pulled away from Dunlop and could see 3rd place man Chris Palmer Ex British 125 champion, I tried to pass him at the back of the circuit and put the bike up the inside where he cut me nose off and I sat behind him thinking “I will get him on the last lap†So I went to pass him on the last lap and Dunlop stuffed it back up the inside of me and scuppered my chances. I finished 5th. I can honestly say my best race to date!
![Image](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs344.ash2/62435_152330924799448_100000676245192_294640_3117968_n.jpg)
The road race season is now finished and I have achieved all my goals to date.
Irish Road Race Championships
Supertwins: 7th
Jnr Support: 5th
Snr Support: 5th
Duke Road Race standings
I said if I could finish in the top 50 I would be happy! I finished 16th overall which I was very, very happy with!!!
I would just like to take the time to say a HUGE thank you to all my sponsors, Team and everyone who has taken the time to ask how I have got on this season.
Yours in sport
Craig Shirlaw
![:2up](./images/smilies/up.gif)