Rhys Irwin had the weekend that dreams are made of when he got the golden ticket to debut as a Wild card in the Supersport race at Round 6 of World Superbikes.
Friday saw mixed conditions with rain for FP1&2 leaving Rhys a very credible 18 and 16th respectively.
Holding the nerves at bay Rhys lined up for Race 1 in 18th place on the 6th row of the grid and with a good solid start Rhys took the chequered flag P16.
With some minor adjustments the Suzuki he started Race 2 in the same position and with a race under his belt the brave Rhys pushed forward crossing the finish line incredibly in the points on his debut race weekend in World Superbikes.
The commentators aired their delight describing Rhys as the replacement for the now retired WSB and MotoGP Irish Racer Eugene Laverty.
Irwin is delighted wit his debut.
Rhys certainly made his mark in a pre-race interview with Greg Haines aired on Saturday before Race 1 and again after his incredible finish in Race 2 by James Toseland. Shaky Byrne was suitably impressed by Rhys to put his seal of approval on his racing style commenting especially on Rhys’s humility and likability.
When asked Rhys said ‘It was just an incredible experience from start to finish we were put into the paddock between Jonathan Rea and Toprack and to be honest I was a little nervous initially, but once I settled in I tried to treat it like any other race weekend.
“I am so grateful to my Team Astro JJR Stu, James, Steve, Debs, Kingy and my dad for giving me this opportunity to show-case what I can do. I am on a high at the minute and just so happy. There were so many fans over this weekend I am just overwhelmed by all the messages of encouragement and congratulations.
“As always I have to remember those people that have supported my racing dream by giving me their time and financial support without whom I just couldn’t do it.’
Rhys’s next race is at the BSB Snetterton 7th & 8th July both races televised on Eurosport.
