The name Rea is pretty synomous with motorcycling, John Rea ( snr) was one of the men who put Joey Dunlop on the road to stardom, his son, Johnny, was an Irish champion on both circuit and roads, as well as being a TT winner, and then there is Jonny Jnr, who is one of to days leading World Superbike riders.
There is another Rea, and not many people know this, but he is of Irish descent! and is shaping up nicely to be a future road race star!
Last year at the KDM Cookstown100 saw Ben Reas debut on the Irish scene after his first ever road race saw him win the 2103 MGP newcomers C race .
Very low expectations but the young lad brought home some cheques as a 2nd place in the junior support was followed by 5th in the 250 , then an excellent top ten finish in the supertwin race where Ben was thrilled to have a race long battle with none other than man of the day Dan Kneen!
Looking ahead for the 2015 KDM Cookstown 100, Ben is on a much quicker Tony Morris / Simon Bleasdale built Supertwin Kawasaki and fancies his chances of mixing with the bigger names once again. In the 600 has been accepted for both Supersport races, and also the non championship open race, again on the 600. The bikes will be liveried in the CMS team colours, the previous sponsors of Maria Costello and Davy Morgan
The KDM Cookstown 100 will be Bens second race meeting of the year, as he starts with a debut at Olivers Mount in Scarborough.
Dad and team Boss, Nigel, or Nige as he is known to everyone, will contest the open races at this years KDM Cookstown100 on a Honda fireblade plus a rare outing on the teams FZR 400RR in the 400 class.
Later in the year the boys will set off to the classic TT, both riding XR69's this year.
Speaking to admin, Nigel told me,
“ Yes indeed, Exciting times for us ,as young Bens business is starting to work well. He has a race shop and MOT centre and is also about to become a suspension dealer for one of the big boys, that deal is almost finalised.
His reputation in building bikes is beginning to get noticed, he has been looking after many racers over the past couple of seasons, and he has also just built a brand new R6 for British superstock rider Danny Murphy, as well as supplying race deals on Dunlop tyres and Motul oils.
Next week he has been asked to be a race test pilot for KTM, testing the 390 machine that will be part of BSB next year for juniors. So, he certainly is a busy lad!
We wont be at the NW200 this year, as we plan to contest the TT races, and all being well, we will be back again for the Manx TT Classic event, where we are both riding the XR69's.
The organisers of the KDM Cookstown 100 have always made us feel welcome and a Big Thanks to them all from all here at Rea Racing, they run a tight ship and a great event and we apreciate all they do including all the marshals and Doctors plus every one that helps in lots of ways. Looking forward to seeing you all there”
Programme of Events ‘Cookstown 100’ 2015
Thursday 2nd April
Press Launch
Royal Hotel from 7.30pm
Thursday 9th April
Liaison Night
Royal Hotel 7.30pm
Saturday 18th Treasure Hunt and BBQ
Sign on Burn Road Car Park from 6.00pm
Sunday 19th April
Annual Bikers Service
Orritor Presbyterian Church 3.30pm
Tuesday 21st April
Vintage Vehicle Run
Union Street Car Park from 6.30pm leaving at 7.30pm
Thursday 23rd April
Classic Bike Run
Sign on from 6.30pm in Burn Road Car Park leaving 7.15pm
Friday 24th April
Practice Day
Roads Close 12 noon
Saturday 25th April
Race Day
Roads Close 10.00am
