14 year old Rhys Irwin from
County Donegal picked up a number of prestigious awards last weekend at the
2016 British Thundersport GB Awards ceremony. The rising Motorcycle racing
star was present to collect his runner-up trophy for the 2016 Superteens championship
and was delighted to also pick up two more important accolades.
Rhys received his championship
trophy from series founder Ian Newton following a very successful season
which saw him emerge as the most successful ever Irish Superteen competitor
with six wins and twenty five podiums.
Having picked up his first
award the teenage was then called back to collect the 'Overall Outstanding
Performance for the Thundersport Series in 2016'. This award is presented to
the competitor who has put in the most outstanding performances across all of
the Thundersport classes and is a testament to the incredible ability which
Rhys has shown in just his second season of racing.
Finally, to top of what has
been an amazing season for the Irish rider, Rhys received a third award, the
'John Ward Memorial Trophy', which is awarded annually by the Thundersport
commentators to the rider who most impressed them and who they most enjoyed
commentating on.
Following a very successful
evening an astonished Rhys said “I had a great 2016. I'm really happy with
second place in the Superteens as I only lost out by one point and was racing
against much more experienced riders. To add the two additional awards to
that is just brilliant. It's hard racing in the UK with the extra traveling,
the high standard of riding and full grids, but to win these accolades makes
it all worth it. Now I'm really looking forward to the 2017 series. I could
stay in Superteens till I'm nineteen but I need a bigger challenge so I'm
moving on to a full race spec RRV Aprilia 450cc for next year. I have to
thank my family for the huge effort it took to compete at Thundersport
events. I'd also like to thank Trevor Scott for providing such excellent
machinery as well as Ivan and Garry, the team mechanics, for all of their
hard work and dedication.”
Rhys also acknowledged all of
his sponsors without whom he could not go racing, main sponsor James
Gallagher of Oasis Bar Letterkenny, Grace Ann and Wesley Regan of Clean
Rubber Sligo & Donegal, Denis Sheridan of DS Waste Kilmacrennan, Kelly's
Centra Mountain Top and Uncle Eustace of Joe Macs in Portadown.
With the 2016 season now
wrapped up Rhys's attention turns towards preparing for he 2017 season and
the debut of Team Irwin Racing who will run both himself and his brother
Caolán in Thundersport and selected Irish events.
Words Fergus Brennan
Images Stephen Mahon\John Burke
ENDS |
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