Ederney’s Paul Gartland was crowned Irish road race Champion at the weekend in the Lightweight Supersport class as the curtain came down on the road race season at the Carole Nash East Coast racing festival.

And there was also success for Melissa Kennedy on what was a good weekend for local riders.

Riding the RT&E 400 Yamaha, Paul got off to a flyer and led on the first lap but was overtaken by Seamus Elliott.

With the championship standings as they were, he knew he would have to finish second to take the title.

As Elliott pulled out a lead, the battle between Gartland and David Howard was hotting up, but thankfully Paul held on as the race was stopped after just four laps to hold on to second and lift the championship trophy by just one point.

Earlier in the day, Paul had ridden to a great ninth place finish in the first Open race on board the North West Gas 1000cc Kawasaki which was won by Derek Sheils.

Due to high winds and heavy rain, proceedings were cut short before Paul got a chance to repeat his bike performance and which also left the Supertwins race also cancelled.

Meanwhile, there was delight in the Kennedy household this week as Melissa claimed her first ever road race podium on the Irish roads onboard the KNR Moto 3 Honda.

As early leader Paul Robinson disappeared just after two laps, the battle was raging behind as Melissa, Elliott and newly crowned champion Nigel Moore battled it out.

With Robinson out, Ballymoney’s Gary Dunlop took over the lead and stayed there to the end to take his first road race win on the Joey’s Bar Moto 3 Honda.

The battle continued between Moore and Elliott with Melissa in fourth place, but on lap four, Elliott slipped off which put the Florencecourt rider back up to third to claim the podium step.

A great end to the road race season for both locals.

Michael Sweeney was crowned Man of the Meeting with two 600 Supersport wins and Joe Loughlin scored a double in the Junior and Senior Support classes.

Meanwhile, Barry Davidson led from start to finish in the 250/350 Classic race.