Keith Amor added more silverware to his already impressive 2008 collection when he scored a fine second place at Saturday’s Skerries 100 races. Riding the Wilson Craig Honda Superbike, Keith got the runner’s up spot in the opening Superbike race and backed this up with 4th in the Supersport 600cc event, an overheating engine denying him of further podium success.
It was another new circuit for the Falkirk ace to learn but he soon got to grips with the 2.92-mile course and was able to place 3rd and 4th in the Superbike and 600cc practice sessions respectively, well in contention for race day honours. Saturday dawned extremely damp but the organisers made a wise move to delay proceedings and racing got underway at lunch time, the rain having given way to sunny, but breezy, conditions.
In the 8-lap Superbike race, Keith got a great start and slotted into second place, tucked right in behind the pace setting Ryan Farquhar. Keith hung on to him in the first few laps but the experienced Farquhar slowly edged away and Keith, also feeling slightly under the weather, settled for a safe, but excellent, second place.
In the Supersport 600cc race, again held over 8 laps, Keith was in trouble from the start with an overheating engine and the lack of power severely damaged his chances. Nevertheless, he still brought the Honda home in a solid 4th place and hopes were high going in to the feature Grand Final race. Everything was looking good for Keith as he grabbed an early lead but, on the second lap, the red flags came out for an incident on the circuit and with a substantial delay the race was eventually cancelled.
Talking about his Skerries debut, Keith commented:
“It’s been a good day on the whole even if the weather and the red flags did their best to upset everything. I got a good start in the first Superbike race and followed Ryan for a few laps and it was good to pick up a few lines from him around the course. As the race wore on though he began to edge away and I had to settle for second place. It’s my first time on the Superbike since the TT and it’s had a few updates so it was good to get back out on it and it felt good.”
“The 600 was overheating from the start and it was running 14 degrees higher than what it normally does so it just wouldn’t pull and the lack of speed did me but I still picked up a strong finish. As for the Grand Final, I got the start I wanted and was feeling good at the front but the red flag came out and safety is paramount so the organisers made the right call. They did an excellent job throughout the day in what was quite tricky circumstances.”
“The circuit itself is very technical and the Superbikes are possibly too powerful for it but it’s great fun to ride and I’ve enjoyed myself very much again. Dunlop were over in force and they had some new tyres for me to try and they were, yet again, the best things out there whilst everyone one in the team – especially Wilson Craig and Phoenix Motorcycles - did a terrific job once more.”
