After losing his first Irish National Supersport race in almost two seasons at Walderstown three weeks ago, William Dunlop was back on top form at the SGS International Armoy Road Races yesterday afternoon, fending off brother William to win the opening middleweight encounter by just 0.007s
Newly crowned Irish Superbike Champion Derek Sheils led the opening lap Dunlop but took no time to move from the runner up spot to the front with Sheils, Manxman Dan Kneen, Christian Elkin and Michael Dunlop back in fifth giving chase.
Michael was having none of it and was soon working his way through the pack making third place on lap three, next target was Sheils who he soon dispensed with, two laps to go and he was 1.8 seconds behind his brother, clocking the fastest lap of the race he reduced this to less than a second as they started the final lap. Despite Michaels final charge William managed to hold his nerve just holding him off taking the chequered flag in what must be one off the closest finishes seen at the three mile Armoy circuit. A one two the perfect treat for their the fans at their home event.
Derek Sheils finished third, Kneen fourth, Elkin and Sweeney completing the top six.
Results:
1 SSPR 6 William DUNLOP Yamaha - IC Racing a 6 10:42.521 101.122 1:45.355 102.784 5
2 SSPR 3 Michael DUNLOP Yamaha - MD Racing a 6 10:42.528 0.007 101.121 1:44.411 103.713 5
3 SSPR 82 Derek SHEILS Honda - Cookstown BE Racing a 6 10:44.311 1.790 100.841 1:45.632 102.514 5
4 SSPR 14 Dan KNEEN Yamaha - Mar-Train Racing a 6 10:46.261 3.740 100.536 1:46.431 101.745 5
5 SSPR 8 Christian ELKIN Triumph 675 - Bob Wylie Racing a 6 11:02.037 19.516 98.141 1:49.128 99.230 2
6 SSPR 65 Michael SWEENEY Yamaha - Tracblast a 6 11:02.414 19.893 98.085 1:48.589 99.723 6
7 SSPR 23 Michal DOKOUPIL Yamaha - Motopoint b 6 11:07.968 25.447 97.269 1:49.976 98.465 5
8 SSPR 52 James COWTON Honda - Cowton Racing by Radcliffe's b 6 11:08.461 25.940 97.198 1:49.638 98.769 5
9 SSPR 56 Adam McLEAN Triumph 675 - Rod Lee Racing a 6 11:08.955 26.434 97.126 1:49.399 98.984 3
10 SSPR 96 Andy FARRELL Honda b 6 11:11.083 28.562 96.818 1:50.867 97.674 2
11 SSPR 24 Graham KENNEDY Yamaha c 6 11:24.678 42.157 94.895 1:52.432 96.314 6
12 SSPR 46 Dominic HERBERTSON Kawasaki - WH Racing b 6 11:25.300 42.779 94.809 1:52.260 96.462 5
13 SSPR 109 Neil KERNOHAN Yamaha - Logan Racing b 6 11:28.365 45.844 94.387 1:52.349 96.385 6
14 SSPR 78 Dean CAMPBELL Kawasaki - DC Racing b 6 11:32.248 49.727 93.858 1:53.570 95.349 4
15 SSPR 31 Brad VICARS Honda - AJB Racing c 6 11:38.786 56.265 92.980 1:54.403 94.655 4
16 SSPR 164 Stephen TOBIN Yamaha c 6 11:39.436 56.915 92.893 1:54.875 94.266 2
17 SSPR 74 Tommy HENRY Yamaha - NJT Racing c 6 11:51.030 1:08.509 91.378 1:56.957 92.588 5
18 SSPR 311 Allan BRODIE Yamaha - ABR c 6 11:51.058 1:08.537 91.375 1:55.150 94.041 6
19 SSPR 93 Paul CRANSTON Honda - P & J Fuel Haulage c 6 11:54.984 1:12.463 90.873 1:57.355 92.274 3
20 SSPR 54 Sam JOHNSON Yamaha - JK Construction c 6 11:57.616 1:15.095 90.540 1:57.369 92.263 3
21 SSPR 43 Stephen DEGNAN Kawasaki c 6 12:03.846 1:21.325 89.761 1:58.565 91.332 5
22 SSPR 114 Rodney LITTLE Suzuki c 5 10:23.224 1 Lap 86.877 2:02.774 88.201 4
