MCRRCI & Killinchy Clubs - Irish Clubmans Championship
The Irish short circuit season gets underway on Saturday 20th March 2010 at Bishopscourt Race Circuit, with the first two rounds of the Bridgestone Irish Clubman's Championship as the season opener. The promoting Killinchy & District M.C.C & Motorcycle Road Racing Club of Ireland have received a bumper entry of over 200 competitors all looking to score points in their class.
The classes for the 2010 season are the Pre 97, Bridgestone Supersport, 125gp newcomers & 125 Aprillia, Bridgestone 701/1010, Classic bikes and National 201/1010 class. The Clubman's Championship is aimed at new and up and coming riders to help them to learn riding skills, before moving up to the prestigious Irish Superbike Championship.
With the addition of a National race at this event there is a large entry of top Irish Superbike and Road Racers hoping to get out and blow the winter cobwebs off.
Practice starts at 9am with racing due to get under way at approximately 12.30pm, with a bumper 14 races on the programme. Admission for adults is £10, all children go free and of course all are welcome.
MCRRCI & Killinchy Clubs Irish Superbike Easter Festival Races
The momentum is building for the "Irish Superbike Easter Festival Races" at Bishopscourt Race Circuit on 2nd and 3rd April 2010. The Motorcycle Road Racing and Killinchy & District Clubs play host to the first three rounds of the Irish Superbike Championship, over Good Friday and Easter Saturday. The Feature Race on Saturday, the 34th Enkalon Trophy Race, will see the return of 2009 five time winner, Scotsman Keith Amor, to defend the title onboard the JMF/Millsport Yamahas.
Other early entries include top National and International Road Racers, including Relentless by TAS Suzuki duo Bruce Anstey & Cameron Donald, Adrian Archibald, John Burrows, Michael Pearson. Ireland’s top short circuit riders will be out to stop the road racers from taking all of the £22,000 prize fund. The short circuit riders include Stephen Thompson, Kirk Jamison, Marshall Neill, Denver Robb, Gerald Kinghan, James Dickson, Brian McCormack and last years championship runner-up Mark Johnston. In the line for the 125GP/250GP classes we have Paul Robinson, Barry Davidson, Denver Robb.
New to Ireland at this event is the knock out qualifying system for the Superbikes, that works on the same basis as World Superbikes. We also welcome onboard this year sponsors - for Roll for Pole, Nutt Travel. "SAIL to POLE with Nutt Travel.com," the Irish Superbike Class sponsor is, Walter Bell & Son Oil-fired Heating Services, with the Irish Supersport Class sponsor is Irish Racer Magazine. And finally, there is additional support coming from Down District Council.
Tandragee 100 National Road Race Deferred For One Year
Due to the current economic climate, the North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club Ltd. have with regret taken the decision to defer the Tandragee 100 National Road Race for one year.
The Club has every intention to run the Race again in 2011. The Club would like to extend grateful thanks to our sponsors and land owners for their continued support.
King’s Hall Adelaide Insurance Motorbike Show
The annual Motorbike Show was held in the King’s Hall in February and there was plenty of exhibitors present. There was quite a large crowd during the two days I was there. The show was opened by Shane Elliott out of Boys Own. Some of the top riders were in attendance namely Connor Cummins, Ian Lougher, Michael Rutter and his dad, that great racer Tony, who brought great delight to those who saw him race.
One to watch out for in the future
While up at the King’s Hall at the motorbike show, I got talking to this very pleasent young lad. Josh Cunningham is his name and both he and his dad are quite shy and trying to get details from them was hard work. Young Josh attends Dromore High School where he is in fourth grade. In 2008, he finished runner up in the Aprilla 125cc class and in the season just passed, 2009, he was champion newcomer. His ambitions for this season is to finish in the top 10 places. This year he will be riding a 2006 Kawasaki ZX6rr. He would like to thank firstly his Dad and Mum for all their support and help through out the early days, he would also like to thank Emo Oils and Martin Builders for their sponsorship. I personally, would like to wish you a safe and great season in 2010.
Tragedy at Kirkistown
On Saturday 1st May, Sam Martin, one of my friends was tragically killed while competing in the Clubmans 600cc/1000cc second race. He had already been placed 9th in the opening 600cc/1000cc race. This was Sam's first racing season as he had been James Redpath for a number of years and he always said, “Old enough to know better, young enough not to care.” He died doing something he truly loved doing, he was always around motorbikes, tinkering with them and helping everybody out. I last spoke to him at the previous meeting. He greeted me as he always did, with these words, “Wee Son, come and get a bacon bap,” he shouts to the back of the van, “Andrea get a bacon bap for Jackie,” which she duly did. What a friend to loose at such a young age, he was only 37 years old.
To his mother Betty and sister Andrea, I personally convey my sincere deepest sympathy to you and the family circle at home and abroad. His family have requested that all donations go to the MCUI medical team. God Bless, ‘Wee Son’ Jackie.
Sam Martin. (Photos by JH)
Sam’s family and friends
Bush Road Races
This years Bush races were sponsored by H2 Engineering and promoted by the Dungannon and District MMC. The circuit is 3.3 miles long with plenty of twists and turns and for a change there were no red flags which is always a good sign. The fifth race on the card was the Bush Open for Superbikes. What a race it turned out to be with the lead changing so many times before the eventual winner which was the very popular Davy Morgan who wears his pink helmet to support breast cancer. Davy has been raising funds by the sale of his very popular pink helmet badge for breast cancer, so keep up the good work Davy.
The seventh race was the Grand Final once for Superbikes. This time the same 4 men were fighting it out tooth and nail until the eventual winner crossed the line which was William Dunlop. I think that in every race the lap record was broken except one of the classics.
It was a pity that Ryan Farquhar, Michael Dunlop and Adrian Archibald were not racing as it is always nice to see your favourites compete. Well done to Ryan for I'm told that he helped out around the paddock with some of the other riders (surely this is what it is all about putting something back into the sport what ever way we can).
Race1: Supertwins
1st John Burrows fromMichael Dokoupil from the Czech Republic and third Derek Shields.
Race2: 250/350 Classics
1st Thomas Hogg from Mark McGaw and Tim Stephenson.
Race3: Supersport
1st William Dunlop from Michael Pearson and John Burrows.
4thRace: 201/400 Junior Support
1st Jonathan Mark from Darren Hughes and Dean Harrison.
5th Race: Bush Open Superbikes
1st Davy Morgan from William Dunlop,John Burrows and Michael Pearson.
6th Race: Senior Support
1st Stephen Larkin from Shaun Anderson and Craig Shirlaw.
7th Race: Grand Final Superbike
1st William Dunlop from John Burrows, Michael Pearson and Davy Morgan.
8th Race: 250gp & Supersport 400
1st William Dunlop from Wayne Hamilton and Davy Morgan.
9th Race: Senior Classics 351/1000cc
1st Robert McCrum from Neill McWhirter and Allan Brew.
10th Race: 125/450
1st William Dunlop from Nigel Moore and Paul Robinson.
Congratulations to all who helped make the Bush a very successful days racing. Remember lads don't forget to buy your programme to keep our beloved road racing going, it's no use waiting until there is no racing before we do something about it.
John Burrows. (Photos by JH & Hammy)
Michael Dokoupil.
Skerries 100 Road Race
The Loughshinny Motorcycle Club held their 65th Anniversary event on Friday and Saturday 2nd & 3rd July over the 2.9 mile circuit. There was a big crowd on Friday for practice but an even bigger crowd turned up for the racing on Saturday. It is estimated that there were in excess of 30,000 at this very popular meeting. The Loughshinny Club is a very well organised club and they look after us press guys very well. I am sorry to report the sad loss of yet one more of our good, up and coming riders. Myles Byrne #32 lost his life on the opening lap of the Grand Final and the Loughshinny officials rightly decided to cancel the rest of the programme. Myles had competed earlier on in the day and will be sadly missed by his family circle and indeed all his race mates. Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time.
Myles Byrne earlier on in the day.
Southern 100 Isle of Man
What a difference being on the Isle of Man with a real gentle man namely Phil Edge. I have the utmost respect for this man as he treated us photographers with total respect. It was a pleasure to take photos and so relaxing. Once again Phil, I thank you for all your assistance and look forward to seeing you next year. As for the racing, all the Irish lads cleaned up at the Southern 100, well done!
Local lad has great success at the Isle of Man Southern 100 races
A brilliant July for the Cowden Racing Team with William winning his first International race at the Southern 100 races on the Isle of Man. The whole team were so relaxed and enjoying the atmosphere, they even had time to throw quoits while in the paddock between practices.
William is a local North Belfast rider, now at 27 years of age, he has just made his debut at the Southern 100 and pulled out some excellent results for his first time on the great Isle. William raced both his 125cc and 600cc and came away with two tenth places on the 125cc, a fourth and fantastic first place. When asked what he thought of the podium position, William states, "It has been an excellent result for myself and the rest of the team, their continued support and dedication to my racing keep spurring me on. It has greatly improved my confidence on both bikes and it was an honour to have multiple World Superbike Champion Carl Foggarty give me my award, I hope this is the start of many more great results for Team Cowden."
Continuing on his recent success, William pulled off some fantastic between the hedges racing and before abandonment of the races due to poor weather conditions at Kells, he rode one of his best ever rides and came away with a third place on the 125cc, beating Wayne Kennedy, Darren Burns and William Dunlop. Now up and coming in the world of motor sport the Cowden Racing Team hope this success will continue for William. William wishes to thank all sponsors involved with his bikes, special big thank you to local businesses Jebbs and Silhouette who have continually supported the Cowden Racing Team and an extended thank you to D&G. Wray Racing who have helped greatly with the upkeep of the bikes. I have been friends with Derek for a few years now and I know that he puts plenty of money into racing.
Marshall Neill.
Clubmans Bishopscourt
On Saturday 24th July the Temple Motor Cycle & Athletic Club held their Irish Clubman Championship at Bishopscourt. It turned out not a bad day weather ways. It is always good to see these kids doing something constructive and not out getting into bother and a lot more support should be given to them instead of always criticising from far off. I got to meet a new racer, Paul McCartney, through James Redpath who was down helping out and trying to give a bit of advice to this lad. It's a pity his dad had not taken James' advice when he told him how much petrol to fill up with as young Paul ran out on the very last corner of the last lap when going well.
Marshall Neill finished first with David Haire second and Richard Rae third in both their races.
In the Bridgestone Tyres Supersport there were wins for Nico Mawhinney and Carl Phillips.
In the 125cc races Jason Lynn won with Connor Parkhill second and Stephen Gurney third on both occasions.
Belfast’s Victoria Centre saw the launch of this year’s Ulster Grand Prix which is currently taking place at Dundrod Circuit until Saturday 14th August. There was quite a big crowd in attendance and some of our top road racers past and present were there. Well done and a big thank you to Noel Johnston for once again organising this, the fastest road race in the world which is held over the 7.3 mile circuit at Dundrod. Noel, his team and the Dundrod Motorcycle Club put in some stern work throughout the year behind the scenes to make this such a great event in the calendar and without them and the support of the sponsors it would not be possible to run this great event.
Presenters Jackie Fullerton and Stephen Watson thanked Greenlight Television for coming on board for the next three years with their coverage going to some 53 countries worldwide and this will include helicopter coverage. Also supporting this year’s event is the Northern Ireland Tourist Board which was represented by Kerry Curran. Alderman Paul Porter from Lisburn Council thanked all who are sponsoring the event.
It was good to see some of the old favourites in attendance such as two times World Champion Brian Reid, Philip McCallen who won five races in one day at the North West 200 some years ago and the Relentless team of Hector and Philip Neil with their top racer Cameron Donald from Australia, who put a lot into the sport.
May I take this opportunity to mention that there is a Grand Charity Ball being held in aid of the Northern Ireland Children's Cancer Unit, Royal Victoria Hospital, at the Europa Hotel on Saturday 21st August 5.30pm - late and the IMPA (photographers) have made a donation and some of the riders have contributed memorabilia for auction.
Pictured at the launch (L-R) Philip McCallen, Lord Mayor of Lisburn Alderman Paul Porter, David Beynon from Greenlight Television, Cameron Donald, Jackie Fullerton and Brian Reid, two times World Champion.
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