Last weekend’s Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championship
with Black Horse race saw a sensational result for Korie McGreevey on the
Century Racing Triumph 675R at Silverstone.
Having never ridden the Northamptonshire circuit before
meant McGreevey was at a disadvantage almost immediately but, that didn’t deter
the Ballynahinch 21yr old and after the first free practise session he went
third quickest. Hoping to build on the momentum for FP2, disaster struck when on
the opening lap of the session, the engine expired and was beyond trackside repair.
Not having the budget for a spare engine, all seemed lost until an unlikely
opportunity appeared in the distance. A complete bike was on sale in Colchester,
3 hours away by van so Korie, his father and good friend Adam Wilson embarked
on the 130-mile journey to collect the replacement.
Returning to the circuit at 11pm that night (Friday), work
began to transplant the new motor before qualifying on Saturday morning. Having
successfully replaced the engine, McGreevey would go on to qualify in a
tremendous 4th place, first on the second row. The excitement didn’t
finish there though, when on the last lap of qualifying, Korie crashed,
damaging the bike and his left hand in the process. Luckily, repairs were made
on Saturday night in preparation for the race on Sunday.
Sunday’s race went better than planned with Korie earning 3rd
place in only his third ever Bennett’s British Superbike competition entry,
narrowly missing out on P2 by 1/100s from fellow Irishman Aaron Clifford. That
podium compliments his race victory in the Knockhill BSB round back in July at the
Scottish circuit. Unfortunately, the team will not be competing at this weekend’s
Oulton park round but, will be back for the Brands Hatch finale in mid-October.
We’ll be there too to cheer him on.
Korie would like to thank his sponsors:
Century racing, IMR racing, CJ photography, Ernie
Coates motorcycles, Strada 7, Belfast Land Rover Centre, IMC, Kirsten,
Kia, Enlightened Promotions, Adam Wilson, ML design, Alan Carter, Graham
family, Alex Knowles, Daryl Heverin, Triumph Aberdeen - Shirlaws Motorcycle and
Peter Van Dijk.
Korie McGreevy Racing #57
Words - Andy Quinn
Images courtesy of PR- Enlightened Promotions
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