THE IRWIN BROTHERS made another mark in the race history books this weekend as a first for two brothers to occupy the elusive pole position for their races.
Rhys Irwin from Kilmacrennan really is a Superteen as he took his seventh UK win in Round 6 of the British Superteens Aprilia Championship at the International Angelsea Race track, Wales over the weekend.
Earlier this year he took his first British win and has gone from strength to strength, breaking records enjoying no less than seven wins and 20 podiums in his championship to date, with more to come.
Rhys is definitely causing a stir wherever he races, be it UK or Ireland and is the youngest of five Irish riders chosen to go forward for the Young Irish Rider of the Year.
The Superteens Championship is the breeding ground of World Champions such as Casey Stoner and boasts the cream of young riders 13 to 19 years, where the front-runners have gone on to have successful careers at an
International level.
Following on from Rhys’s success he was invited to attend a training day at Mondello Race Circuit with Moto GP racer Jeremy McWilliams who congratulated him on his natural ability on the bike after an incredibly short period of time.
Following a nail biting weekend the Superteen Championship leaders 14 year old Irwin and 17 year old JJ Scott battled it out with young Irwin enjoying pole position.
Race 1 Irwin took the holeshot pulling away 1.5 seconds into the lead JJ tried an ambitious pass up the inside crashing into Irwin’s left leg taking both riders out.
Rhys being passed medically fit for Race 2 Irwin again took the holeshot and stormed home taking the win in a race that will make exciting TV viewing. The Championship is set
to go down to the wire with two rounds to go.
During his post race interview a beaming Rhys said that it was a hard weekend with all the riders watching points so there was no room for error.
“I just love racing and I know I’m pushing my Wee Aprilia to the limit,” he said. “I don’t get the time on the bike that the other riders get due to my geography even by Irish standards and this was my first time here at Anglesea on this bike.”
Meanwhile older brother Caolán is contesting the 450 cc Aprilia UK Championship. With another incredible start to the weekend Caolán secured pole position. Race 1 young Caolán took the holeshot and battled at the front with less than 0.5 seconds between the four front runners finishing fourth place.
Unfortunately for the second time this year his engine seized leaving him with no bike for the rest of the weekend costing him a valuable 75 Championship points.
[adrotate group=”45″]Both boys thanked their parents for this great opportunity and for all the sacrifices they make so that the brothers can continue race. They would like also to thank Scott Racing for the bike , team mechanics their dad Ivan and Garry Fleming.
Thanks to their personal title sponsor James Gallagher Oasis Bar Letterkenny for both financial support and ongoing encouragement. Thanks also to Wesley and Grace Ann Regan Clean Rubber Sligo/Donegal, Mairtin Kelly of Kelly’s Centra Mountain Top Letterkenny and especially to Eustace McKee of Joe Macs Bar Portadown.
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