RHYS Irwin 14 from Kilmacrennan had yet another record breaking weekend at the Mondello Masters Irish Championship. During his first race meeting at the Circuit not alone did he win both of his races but he smashed the long standing lap record.
Rhys back on his 125 cc Aprilia not having ridden this particular bike since last October at the Sunflower, took a couple of laps to get comfortable on the bike again and after a flying qualifying put the bike on pole position . Rhys settled into Race 1 taking the top spot in the 125cc bikes and also the overall win ahead of the 250cc’s and the 300 cc’s with times that put the lap record into the frame. Winning Race 2, Rhys got a flying start taking the holeshot and by lap 4 he had equalled the existing lap record, onto lap 5,6 and 7 he continued to better his times and finally smashed it by over a second.
The ever-smiling jubilant teen paid tribute to the event organisers saying that although it was his first race at Mondello he loved it and couldn’t wait to get back down for the next round of the Championship.
He thanked his Dad Ivan and Gary for taking the 125cc out of retirement and getting the perfect set up for the circuit,Jim Scott for his work on the engine, Team owner and manager Trevor Scott for his on-going support and encouragement. He also particularly wanted to thank James Gallagher of Oasis Bar, who continues to make it all possible with his on-going financial backing, new sponsors Grace Ann and Wesley Regan Clean Rubber Sligo/Donegal, Eustace in Joe Macs Bar Portadown, Michael Kelly and Staff Centra Mountain Top Letterkenny and Denis Sheridan from DS waste Kilmacrennan.