Local motorcycle racer Kevin Coyne has described his debut weekend at Silverstone as one he will never forget.
The world-famous track hosted the third meeting of the British Superbike Championship and the 18-year-old Kerry racer is tackling the HEL Performance British Junior Supersport Championship category for riders under 22.
He is the first Kerry rider to commit to this series.
Last weekend’s double-header was a baptism of fire. His lack of track experience meant he was already at a disadvantage over his class rivals.
His Kawasaki race bike was also at a speed disadvantage on the fast-flowing corners of the Northamptonshire track.
If that wasn’t enough, Coyne was involved in a qualifying session accident on Saturday that resulted in an ankle injury.
Track medics ruled him unfit for Saturday’s opening race in the HEL Performance British Junior Supersport Championship.
He was declared fit on Sunday morning but was forced to start from the back of the 34-place grid as he had not set a qualifying time. He recovered to finish 28th, outside his target of a top 20 finish but an acceptable result given everything that had gone against him.
The team left Silverstone, on Sunday evening, in good spirits.
“Silverstone is a weekend we will never forget,” his father Mark said. “With an injured left foot and to start from the back and to battle every lap to go from 34th to 28th and with very little track knowledge, we are actually very happy with our weekend. The bike might be lacking straight-line speed, so we need to get that sorted too but thanks to every single person who helped get us back on track several times this weekend.”
His next event is at Oulton Park in Cheshire on September 18-20
