The Centurion Racing team enjoyed a strong debut at Saturday's Ulster Grand Prix with Dan Cooper taking two excellent top ten finishes from his five races, including a career best around the Dundrod circuit of eighth place.
The former British 125cc Champion was having just his second outing at the 7.4-mile circuit and didn't have the easiest practice weeks with Wednesday's session being hit by damp weather and then rain curtailing Thursday's sessions and seeing the Dundrod 150 races abandoned altogether.
However, Saturday saw much more favourable conditions and Dan opened his account for the day with a fine 11th place in the opening Supersport race. By the time the 6-lap Superstock race came to the line, the 7.4-mile circuit was almost completely dry, except for a few damp patches under the trees, and Dan had a race-long battle with Stephen Thompson for seventh place. Dan headed Thompson for most of the race but the Northern Ireland rider was able to use his experience to the full and pushed Dan back to eighth on the run in to the line.
Next up was the feature Superbike race, held over seven laps, and Dan had a race-long battle with Ben Wylie, Russ Mountford and Dan Stewart eventually crossing the line in 19th place, his best lap of 125.063mph showing the ferocity of the race.
The second Supersport race was another excellent one for Dan as he fought all race for seventh with Ivan Lintin and Ian Lougher. However, a few technical problems with the Triumph Daytona meant he slipped back in the closing stages but ninth was still an excellent race. He then pulled in from the final Superbike race after suffering with a severe headache.
Dan Cooper: "It's been a good day for me with some good results but also a mixed day as I know I could have gone even better. The weather meant that we didn't get many laps in during practice and qualifying and with it being only my second time here I needed as much track time as I could get. As a result the Triumph wasn't handling at all well whilst it was also cutting out a bit, which was the reason I dropped back to ninth in the second Supersport race. As the day wore on, I started to suffer with a headache too and just couldn't concentrate so decided to pull in from the final race as it wouldn't have been safe to continue."
Paul Rees: "It's the first time we've been here as a full team - it was just Dan and his Dad last year - and to take three finishes inside the top 11 is very pleasing, particularly the Supersport results as the bike was a bit of a bucking bronco! We're pleased with the results and the lap times and although it's been a bit frustrating with the weather, it couldn't be helped and we ended up having a good race day with the sun coming out and making it better for everyone. Dan feels he could have done better so we know we can come back even stronger next year and be closer to the front so that will very much be the plan."
As in previous seasons, Centurion Racing continue to show their support for Help for Heroes, their chosen charity, by displaying H4H logos on the bikes and team attire. Team Principal Paul Rees, who spent 20 years in Her Majesty's Royal Marine Commandos, was given permission to have the bikes carry the H4H logos in order to encourage the public to be more aware of this charity that supports our Armed Forces, many of whom are making daily sacrifices in Afghanistan.
Centurion Racing would specially like to thank Silkolene Oils, Arai, FTR, GPR Racewear, Dunlop, RichArt, R2 Logo Print & Embroidery, Akrapovic, SW Commercials, 2K Coachworks and Daytona for personally supporting Dan, and all our friends and followers.
