Practice
With the tight, twisty and bumpy track Davy contemplated taking the CSC Branson R1 as he thought the power of the Strangford Holiday Park Superbike Suzuki would be too much of a handful, however in the end he made the right choice and headed down the M1 with the Strangford Holiday Park Suzuki, CSC Branson R6 Yamaha and DM#71RRSC 250cc Honda in the Lorry. Dry Roads and a warm evening greeted the riders and the circuit was in pretty good order as he set off to lead the newcomers around on the CSC Branson R6 and in the process confirm that the electrical problem had been resolved. His first official session was then also on the CSC Branson R6 and he was disappointed with the seventh quickest time as there was a lot of traffic and he had to negotiate his way past at least twelve riders in his five laps. Next up was the Open Session and this time he set the sixth quickest time and was a little happier at the end of the five laps. Finally it was the Junior 250cc Session and he was on pole position for the opening few laps before as expected William Dunlop set the fastest time, Davy was then bumped to third place when young Wayne Hamilton tucked in behind him on the final lap to record a slightly faster time.

Speaking later Davy commented, “Other than the Supersport position, I am happy enough with practice I had hoped to be further up on it, but I had to get past a lot of traffic and never got a clear run. The Suzuki is hard work as the circuit is really bumpy, but again it is fun to ride and I am glad I decided to bring it. On the R6 and Suzuki tomorrow I will just need to get away well with the leading contenders and see where I end up. On the 250 I hope to get in behind William from the start and see how long I can stay with him, but at least it looks like it going to be good day so I am looking forward to it.”

Race Day
It was bright sunshine and blue skies that greeted the rider’s on Saturday morning, so after the frustration of changeable weather in previous years Davy was looking forward to actually getting racing around the Co.Tyrone Circuit. First up was the Supersport Race and on the CSC Branson R6 Yamaha a strong start was required to have any chance of a good result. That he got and at the end of the opening lap he was in sixth place just behind Burrows, Dokoupil, Pearson and Cranston as Dunlop just checked-out at the front. Next time around Davy was still sixth and three of the four in front were starting to make a break so Davy made his move up to fifth on lap three. With a clear track he quickly bridged the gap to Dokoupil and Pearson who both had lost touch with Burrows in second.

Next time around he had passed Dokoupil and was up to fourth and right in Pearson’s wheel tracks and with three laps remaining he was up to third and the two of them were now quickly closing in on Burrows. With two laps remaining Pearson was back in front of Davy and they were both right with Burrows. Then Davy missed a gear and with it any chance of a podium and he settled for a safe fourth on the final circuit to come in behind Dunlop, Pearson and Burrows, a solid start to the day.

The Irish Championship Open Race was next for Davy and on the Strangford Holiday Park GSXR1000 Suzuki it was to be a stunning display in a fantastic race by Davy. From sixth on the grid he made a fantastic start and at the end of the opening lap he found himself in third place behind Pearson and Burrows with Shiels and Dunlop right on his back wheel. Lap 2 and it was pretty much the same with only Dunlop moving forward to fourth ahead of Shiels and they were all inside the old lap record. On Lap three Davy moved in to second place behind Pearson with Burrows, Dunlop and Shiels still very much in the hunt behind.

At half distance Davy took over at the front with Pearson second, Dunlop was up to third with Burrows and Shiels next along and still within reach of the leader. Next time around Davy was still at the front, but Dunlop was now second and these two were beginning to pull away from the rest with both of them in the 2 minute 13 second lap times. Davy and William continued to pull away and with a lap to go Dunlop went ahead as they both dipped in to the 2 minute 12 second lap times (12 seconds quicker than Davy had ever lapped at Bush). However Davy was not to be denied and as they came across slower riders on the run for home William got held up more than Davy and he used the drive of the Strangford Holiday Park Suzuki to claim an emotional victory and win his first ever four-stroke championship race.

pic : Steve Freeburn

Davy’s final outing of the day was on the Davy Morgan #71 Supporters Club 250cc Honda and from the front row he got away well and was in second place at the end of the opening lap. However as the race progressed he tired and was not willing to push as hard as he would have liked and soon found himself in what looked like another safe fourth place. On the final lap he got a bit of good fortune when Daley Mathison slid off unhurt out of third place to gift Davy the final step on the podium to complete one of Davy’s best ever days at a National Meeting. These results following on from a solid North West and an excellent TT, its no wonder his confidence is high at the moment both in his machinery and his own ability.

pic : Joe Connolly

A delighted, but tired Davy said afterwards, “I want to dedicate that win to my dad, Stanley who died last year.” He continued, ”That was tough, as you get no time to rest around this circuit and I was pushed all the way by William who was riding really well and in the later laps we had to be really careful as some of the slower riders were so far off the pace it was dangerous. The day started well with the CSC Branson Yamaha R6 going really well and I was in with a great chance of another podium until I missed a gear and lost contact with Michael & John on the penultimate lap, I don’t think I would have got past Michael again, but we had caught John very quickly and I was confident of getting by him. The Superbike win was just fantastic and I hope all those people who have stuck by me and supported me are as happy as I am at this moment. With only one race between the two superbike outings it was always going to be difficult to repeat the feat as I had put so much in to that first race. I was however confident I could have held on to the third place when I got there, but Pearson had other ideas so I settled for a safe fourth place finish. With the 250 Race straight out after the grand final I was wrecked before I started so I just rode for a finish and was fortunate to get third in the end when the young fella slipped off on the final lap. I know that the organisers will never get a race order to suit everyone, but surely two superbikes and a 250cc race in four races that is three of your feature races could have been avoided without impacting on others a whole lot.”

“Saying that a 1st , 3rd and two 4th’s is not a bad days work although I am totally knackered now I am looking forward to getting home having a nice hot shower, a couple of beers and really just enjoy the moment. I am thoroughly enjoying riding the Strangford Holiday Park Suzuki, CSC Branson R6 Yamaha and #71 Supporters Club 250 Honda, they are definitely some of the best bikes I have ever ridden and I want to thank Steve, Trevor and everyone who is helping to keep me on track in 2010 and hopefully I can continue this run of form at Skerries in two weeks.”