Belfast Newsletter
Cookstown B.E. Racing team boss John Burrows lavished praise on Manxman Dan Kneen after the Irish road racing newcomer dominated the Faugheen 50 Road Races on Sunday.
Kneen won both the Open and Grand Final Superbike races and claimed his maiden victory of the season in the Supersport class to secure the ‘Man of the Meeting’ award.
The 27-year-old also wrapped up the Irish Superbike Road Racing title at his first attempt and is now preparing for this week’s Metzeler Ulster Grand Prix at Dundrod.
A delighted Burrows was celebrating a double title success after Michael Sweeney bagged the 250cc Irish title to boot on a day to remember for the Dungannon team.
“What a year this is turning out to be. We started off by winning at Cookstown at the victories have just kept coming thanks to the riding of Dan and Michael and the professional efforts of all the crew,” said Burrows.
“We are now the holders of the Ulster and Irish Superbike and 250cc titles and that’s a great reward for everyone. I’m particularly pleased the sponsors have been rewarded for their investments.
“Dan’s hat-trick today was great and for me the 600 win was outstanding, it was his first of the year in that class,” he added.
“I have to say thanks to the Faugheen fans today, they were very appreciative of our title wins and it was touching to see a banner proclaiming us as champions flying high.”
Burrows also rates Kneen as a dark horse for a podium place at the Ulster Grand Prix and the Isle of Man rider could well deliver the goods based on his superb form this season.
“We haven’t much time to celebrate as the Dundrod and UGP action is almost upon us,” added Burrows.
“I’m sure Dan can mix it with the factory boys and I’ll not be surprised if he’s standing on the rostrum in front of the Joey Dunlop Grandstand before the end of this week.”
Kneen and Sweeney also won the Ulster Superbike and 250cc titles respectively at the Armoy ‘Race of Legends’.
Meanwhile, practice for the Metzeler Ulster Grand Prix and Topaz Dundrod 150 meetings gets underway on Wednesday, with roads closing at 12pm sharp.
