The Completely Motorbikes / Affinity Sports Academy rider from Randalstown secured the British Junior Supersport Championship title with a race to spare at Brands Hatch last weekend.
It has been an amazing season for the 18-year-old from Randalstown with 9 podiums including five race victories.
Qualifying
Conditions were difficult for the British Junior Supersport riders for the qualifying session. Rain had fallen and the track was damp. James went out on a full wet set up. However, as the session went on the track began to dry this appeared to be the wrong choice. As a result the number 14 only managed to qualify 16th for the first race of the weekend.
Race One
Although there had been some rain fall earlier on Saturday, come the race the track was dry. James McManus lined up 16th for the race first of the ten lap races. His two championship rivals were 7th and 8th. He made a good start clawing back three places on the opening lap. By the end of the second lap he had gained another four places putting him up to ninth position.
Having the championship in mind and with there being a further race on Sunday McManus did not need to take any unnecessary risks. Over the following three consecutive laps he moved up another position on each.
The race was stopped on lap seven after a red flag came out and James was classified as seventh at that stage. He collected 9 points and with his championship challengers unable to score sufficient points James McManus was able to secure the British Junior Supersport Championship title with a race to go.
Race Two
With the title wrapped up McManus lined up on the grid in 9th position for the final race of the season on Sunday. His Completely Motorbikes / Affinity Sports Academy Kawasaki sported the number 1 rather than his usual 14 for the final race of the season.
James McManus quickly found his pace and started to work his way through the field form the first lap. By the end of lap four he was running fifth and had set his fastest lap of the race so far.
A couple of laps later and he had carved his way into third position before moving into second. He then ran wide dropping to fourth and then shortly after a small mistake at Druids saw him low side out of the race.
McManus missed out on a podium in the final race of the year but that could not put a dampener on what has been a terrific season.
He finished the season as Champion with 249 points and five race victories to his name.
James McManus said, “It’s been an amazing year from start to finish, I’ve learnt so much this year and I can’t thank my team, completely motorbikes and everybody involved, without them none of this would of been possible, and also a massive thanks to my Mum and Dad for all they do to help us go racing, and to my brother Eugene, thank you for pushing me to be better and faster, the list of thanks goes on and on but just thank you to everybody who helps me go racing, and here’s to next year.”
