Cookstown Burrows Engineering Racing create a Cookstown sizzle

JUST three miles away from the famous Cookstown pork producing factory, the Cookstown Burrows Engineering Racing team really sizzled on the Orritor circuit in front of their home fans and created great publicity for title sponsors Cookstown.Cookstown Burrows Engineering teamsters Derek Sheils and Malachi Mitchell Thomas were in terrific form and took a hat-trick of wins between them. Sheils was unstoppable in both Superbike races while rising star Mitchell Thomas came out on top of the Supertwins pack. The only negative for the team was a Mitchell Thomas crash in the first Supersport 600 race. Caught out by a damp patch, the Bolton flyer crashed at high speed while holding second place behind William Dunlop. Although the rider walked away from the crash and was able to continue racing in the meeting, his Cookstown Burrows Engineering Honda 600 could not be repaired in time for the second Supersport encounter. Pole position man Sheils took his Suzuki Superbike to a comfortable victory over Derek McGee in the first Superbike race. Superstock GSXR 1000 equipped Mitchell Thomas, who started from sixth on the grid, claimed the final step of the rostrum, beating Dan Kneen in the process.Sheils totally demolished the opposition in the feature Cookstown 100 Superbike race and the Cookstown Burrows Engineering racing team were able to celebrate a one-two as Mitchell Thomas took a fine second place ahead of Kneen, McGee and Dunlop.Mitchell Thomas tasted victory in the Supertwins race after he came home ahead of James Cowton and Michael Dokoupil. Sheils, having another outing on the Cookstown Burrows Engineering Kawasaki that Peter Hickman will steer in the NW200 and Isle of Man events, was at the head of affairs at one point but dropped to fifth after the machine developed a minor electrical problem which ended hopes of another one-two for the John Burrows managed squad.Former Cookstown Man of the Meeting Burrows was in jubilant mood at the end of the day’s racing. He commented: “To take three wins on home turf is brilliant. It’s extra special when you win in front of the local fans and I’m especially pleased for our title sponsor Cookstown, hopefully we have generated extra exposure for them this weekend. Derek and Malachi were superb as were the whole crew, the success was thoroughly deserved.”Cool as a cucumber Sheils commented: “The Supertwins race wasn’t too disappointing as it was the Superbike wins I came for today so it’s mission accomplished. In both Superbike races I was never under pressure and I controlled both from start to finish. It was great that Malachi was able to take second in the Grand Final and give the team a one-two.”Mitchell Thomas spoke about his Cookstown debut: “It’s a cracking little circuit and the local fans were brilliant. I’m a bit sore and tender after that fifth gear get off but overall I’m happy. I think the fans appreciated my efforts after the crash as I could see them waving their woolly hats at me from behind the walls and hedges.“I had to work hard to get the Supertwins win as I made a terrible start to the race. I was delighted with that victory but probably just as satisfying was taking second in the Grand Final because I was the first rider home on a Superstock machine and I beat Kneen, McGee and Dunlop. I’m now approaching the North West with confidence; we’re really looking forward to the Superstock races on the Triangle.”