Eugene McManus Junior completed his Hel Performance Motostar British Championship Season in fine style with another brace of top 10 finishes.
The Randalstown youngster has flourished under the guidance of Ryan Saxelby in 2017 and this weekend McManus Junior was challenged to adjust his riding style and "finish both races"
On five separate occasions this season, The Wee Bull has been in podium positions and fallen off so he was instructed by the RS Racing guru to adjust his style and learn to finish, even If it meant slipping out of the podium positions. Consistency can win championships and the wee bull showed his potential yet again with a solid sixth and eighth place in the final two races at Brands.
Friday began in near perfect track conditions on the 2.43 mile GP circuit, the Wee Bull eased himself into the weekend with a P6 in FP1 and a top 3 finish in Free Practice 2. An unfortunate slip off during the second session didn't deter the youngster and as ever he was ready to climb back on for Qualifying.
Saturday morning began with the Motostar's on track at 9.00am and yet again conditions were ideal considering the time of year. It was City Lifting's Tom Booth Amos who set an unprecedented benchmark with a new lap record of 1:31.999. The Wee Bull gave it his all but eventually finished in fifth position 3.058 seconds behind the champion.
Race 1 on Saturday afternoon was again dominated by the Team City Lifting riders Booth Amos and Archer. The Wee Bull got away with front runners Asher Durham, Storm Stacey, Richard Kerr and Victor Rodriguez. With Booth Amos and Archer fighting it out for P1 and P2, Durham made a break and found himself alone in a clear third, Mcmanus bravely held on for a 6th place finish behind Rodriguez and Kerr.
Race 2 was a similar tale with McManus mid pack and battling for a top 10 place, the two City Lifting riders had cleared off at the front leaving a Six bike scuffle for third. McManus listened to Saxelby's advice and steered the KTM home in P8. A steady conclusion to the Motostar season which has seen McManus Junior firmly establish himself in the top five of a very competitive Motostar series. There is no doubt Eugene has the talent and dedication to become a British Champion, with further mentoring from the likes of Ryan Saxelby he will surely move closer to his goal in 2018.
Eugene Senior
"Junior and Aodhan have flourished under Ryan this season, it's a real pleasure to see the development of both not just from a riding perspective but as young men working hard to achieve something in life. The dedication to succeed and work as a team has been incredible to see. We are very proud of both lads"