Tom Weeden on the Burrows Engineering/RK Racing Yamaha R6 during a recent test at Kirkistown.
Picture: Baylon McCaughey

Former Senior Manx Grand Prix winner Tom Weeden will make his debut at the KDM Hire Cookstown 100 this weekend.

The new Burrows Engineering/RK Racing signing joins Derek Sheils in the Dungannon team this year.

Weeden won the Senior Manx GP in 2016, but his career has not panned out as he had hoped, with injuries hampering his progress.

However, the 24-year-old from Kent hopes to revive his results under the tutelage of former racer John Burrows, who has guided the careers of top riders including Jamie Hamilton, Dan Kneen, Malachi Mitchell-Thomas and most recently Davey Todd.

Weeden said:

“I’ve settled in really well with the boys and anything I ask for, they sort for me. They’re really good lads and John is great to work with.

“He has been there done it and knows what a rider needs – I feel like a works rider,” added Weeden, who met the team properly for the first time during a recent two-day test at Kirkistown.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back out to Northern Ireland this weekend. I’m going to spend Thursday driving round the circuit to familiarise myself and reinforce the onboard laps I’ve watched.

“I’m putting no pressure on myself for results and I just want to enjoy it and make further steps forward with the in preparation for the North West 200 and TT.

“The track looks mega and can’t wait to get the season started on the new bikes.”

The Cookstown 100 signals the start of the new Irish road racing season at the 2.1-mile Orritor course.

Extensive resurfacing work has been undertaken in recent months at Braeside and Craigmount, which have proven problematic in the past.

Although the weather forecast currently looks less than favourable this weekend, the new track improvements could result in lap records around the 2.1-mile Orritor course in the right conditions.

Michael Dunlop is the current outright lap record holder, setting a speed of 91.48mph six years ago.

The line-up is led by Dublin man Sheils (Burrows Engineering/RK Racing Suzuki), who won the sole Open Superbike race last year. Sheils will also compete on the Roadhouse Macau Yamaha in the Supersport class.

His opposition includes last year’s man of the meeting, Adam McLean, on the McAdoo Kawasaki machines. McLean has claimed three victories in the Supersport class at the Irish short circuit meetings and comes into the event in excellent form, although the 22-year-old was fortunate to escape injury after a heavy spill at Kirkistown in the second Supersport race on Easter Monday.

‘Mullingar Missile’ Derek McGee is also entered and the triple Irish champion will have a busy schedule as he competes in the Open, Supersport, Supertwin and Moto3 races.

Martin Jones Racing’s Michael Sweeney is another top southern Irish rider who is also a leading contender in the Open, Supersport and Supertwin classes, while Magherafelt’s Paul Jordan will get his campaign underway at Cookstown, where he will ride the Alistair Russell 600 Yamaha.

A host of newcomers include Adrian Harrison – brother of TT and Ulster GP winner Dean – who makes his debut on a Kawasaki ZX-10R.

Dutch lady Nadieh Schoots will also don the newcomers’ bib as she prepares for her first taste of Irish national road racing after racing at the North West 200 for the first time in 2018. Schoots has entered the Open and Cookstown 100 races.

Lincolnshire’s Guy Martin holds a provisional entry for the Classic race.

A reduced race programme sees 12 races on Saturday, April 27 (roads close 10am), while the first Open race will be held following qualifying on Friday evening, April 26 (roads close 12 noon).

Kyle White