As months go, August has been a real test for Eugene McManus Jr. After the early exit at Brands Hatch, it was down to Eugene to show his race craft at Cadwell Park and he didn’t disappoint.

​

Eugene & Team E15

Going into this weekend, it would of been easy for Eugene to have been downbeat about his chances at Cadwell Park but as we’ve come to learn about this young rider and the team that surround him, not giving it your all and settling for second best is not in their nature.

This fledgling team, in it’s first season in the HEL Motostar championship, is not only blessed with a highly determined and skilled rider, they have bags of racing experience to call upon too.

​

Race 2

The team were hopeful that Eugene could put in a more spirited performance for the televised race and Eugene didn’t disappoint.

After showing improvement in all areas, Eugene was to start the second race from the outside of the 4th row in a handy 12th position. As the guys lined up on the grid for the final time of the weekend, the Eurosport commentators described Eugene as “the spectacular Irish lad” on live TV and who are we to argue?

​

With Jake Archer failing to start, that meant Eugene was effectively up to 11th before a wheel had been turned. Eugene got away cleanly and completed a long line of riders who were strung across the track in a drag race to the first corner, not a bad position to be in going into ‘Coppice’ the first left hander.

​

Eugene emerged from the melee in 8th place, confidently riding this narrow, sinuous track. Cresting the mountain section on the first lap in his best place of the weekend must of been quite an experience for our young rider but he wasn’t resting on his laurels.

​

As we completed the 11th lap Richard Kerr’s bike expired, gifting Eugene back his 8th place in the process.  That was more or less how the race finished, Eugene just needing to keep his bike upright with no other riders to challenge as he took the chequered flag.