Sheils and English wrap up 2015 Adelaide Masters Series titles
Dublin’s Derek Sheils and Bangor’s Robert English were crowned champions at the Final Rounds of the Adelaide Masters Series at Mondello Park last weekend, October 3rd and 4th. Sheils lifted the Superbike title while English claimed the Supersport championship in the Adelaide Motorbike Insurance backed Series.
Both Sheils and English had entered the final weekend with the possibility of wrapping up their championships in Saturday’s first race, which they both duly did. English was first to be officially crowned as he took the Supersport win after Leader Jason Lynn had difficulties negotiating a back marker dropping him down the field.
With the championship tied up English was looking forward to finishing the season on a high but uncharacteristic falls in each of the last two races meant he did not get to complete the season the way he wanted. Despite missing the final event Ulster riders Conor Parkhill and Robert Kennedy held on to second and third places in the championship, while the Supersport ‘Cup’ went to Gary O’Brien from Limerick, who rode steadily all weekend to maintain his Championship lead.
In Superbike Sheils faced a little more opposition than he had all year at Mondello Park as Waterford rider Brian McCormack came from behind to overtake both him and Randalstown’s Gerard Kinghan to secure his first win of the Adelaide Masters season. Third was good enough for Sheils to become the first double winner of the Masters Superbike championship.
Sunday’s races saw normal service resumed as Sheils added two more wins to his impressive 2015 tally, although he was pushed very hard in race three by McCormack. In the championship Kinghan had to settle for second while McCormack’s strong finish to the season elevated him to joint third place along with Dungarvan’s Peter Moloney. The Superbike ‘Cup’ Championship had been secured at Bishopscourt by Edward Comerford but the Kildare rider still turned up at Mondello Park to successfully maintain his 100% win record at his local circuit.
ENDS