Kevin Keyes (26) from Edenderry, Co Offaly has become a double Principal Insurance Irish Masters Champion onboard his Daracore Racing Yamaha R1 Superbike & Yamaha R6 Supersport bike. Keyes went into the weekend as favourite to claim the Superbike title as he had a 54 point lead with a potential 75 points up for grabs, but the Supersport was a even bigger task as he was lying 2nd in the championship 12 points behind.
Superbike race one was on Saturday September 21st where Kevin could have wrapped up the title with two races to go but disaster struck as on lap 3 of the race his brakes failed at 140+mph resulting a huge crash and Keyes taking huge impact to his body and head, despite being in a lot of pain and carrying some injuries after his crash Keyes gritted his teeth and went out on his Supersport bike two races later and won the first of the Supersport races of the weekend. Leaving Saturday, Kevin’s lead in Superbike had been reduced to 38 points but in there Supersport he had closed the narrow gap down to 3 points leaving himself in a very good position to be double champion Sunday evening.
Sunday was a challenging day for Kevin. After sleeping on injuries over night, his body was very stiff and sore and in his own words “feeling very second hand but Sunday wasn’t the day for dealing with the pain, I could be sore all day Monday”. With his mind set on becoming double champion, Kevin’s determination that day pushed true the pain, he gritted his teeth and get his job done.
Superbike race two was up first on Sunday and, despite his injuries, Kevin pushed his 170kg 200bhp+ 1000cc Superbike to its limits and secured 3rd position thus claiming the Superbike championship. But he couldn’t celebrate just yet as he still had two more races on his 600cc Supersport bike. The second Supersport race saw Kevin lead from flag to flag taking home his 2nd victory of the weekend and giving him a narrow 6 point championship lead heading into the final race of the day.
With a potential 25 points still up for grabs and only 7 points separating the 3 title contenders Kevin was in a nice position where he had to finish in 1st or second place to secure the title, race 3 came around and again Keyes got off to a flyer into the lead and after some great battles Kevin finished 2nd place by 0.021 over the line but it was enough to make history and become the Double Champion in the two premier class.
“This season was amazing my Daracore Racing bikes were on top form all season and to secure the Irish Superbike Pro championship & Irish Supersport Pro championship has been a dream come true. I cannot thank my whole team and family enough for all their efforts this season and of course all my sponsors and supporters who have stuck by me through all the tough and good times – here’s to being double Champions together” said Kevin “Huge thanks to all my sponsors Daracore ltd, FJS Plant Agri & Groundcare, Cotter Motorcycles Ltd., MotorcycleTraining.ie, The GRILL SHACK, Eden Decor Centre, Sign Flair, IV Media, D.B. Coatings Ltd., By Design Joinery, Klim at ADV Gear”
