Closest Irish series in years
By TMX Archives on 6th Sep 10
Irish Championship Motocross returns to Tandragee this Saturday, September 4, with round seven of the closest championship in years.
In the Premier MX1 class, Watt Kawasaki teamster, Tommy Merton, holds a slender 16-point lead from newly crowned Ulster Open Champion, Robert Hamilton.
A new, more mature Merton was the only top contender to have a trouble-free day at the most recent round in Ferns, County Wicklow, and his consistency is paying off in the chase.
The tussle for third is also close, with only one point separating Naas man Ross Brown on a Russell Suzuki from Wayne Garret on the TSR Watt KTM. With Gordon Crockard, in fifth place, not attending this weekend, this leaves the way open for a resurgent Richard Bird on the GOMX Watt KTM to break into the top six, his return from injury showing an impressive return to form.
In the smaller capacity MX2 class, run concurrent with the MX1 Class, the fight is an inter team one with Jason Garrett holding a slender 11-point lead over AJ Plumbing KTM team-mate, David Gorman. Both these lads enjoy the Tandragee track and the racing will be very competitive in this class as riders such as Michael Mahon in third, Gary Gibson and Ian Marshall all be out to gain places as fourth placed man Sean Devlin has fallen foul of a shoulder problem.
In the Semi Expert MX1 class, Keith Finnamore could be crowned Champion on Saturday as he has an 84-point lead over Joel Brown. Niall Donaghy and Donal Teague are the only two others within reach of Brown as the fight for lesser positions reaches a climax.
It's a different story in the Semi Expert MX2 class where a titanic struggle has raged all year between John Meara and near neighbour Ryan Adair, where 36-points separate them at the moment. Also in the mix has been James White in third, although fourth-placed John James Baird is out through injury, as is Mark Dynes in fifth, leaving the way open for Jordan Keogh.
In Group C MX1 class, Sean Turkington, new Ulster Champion is carrying a 43-point lead over Darren Robinson despite missing a round. He has won the last nine races on the trot, so should be the man to beat on Saturday.
In the CMX2 class, Scott Browne is 39-points clear of Ryan Todd, but he is only one point clear of Richard Topping with Peter McCabe, Steven Mulholland and Kevin Lynch hot on his heels.
With one round left after Tandragee this is a crucial stage of the season for championship contenders, and racing will be intense round the fast spectacular circuit.
Racing begins at 11am. The track will be well signposted but is outside the village of Laurelvale on the Tamnamore Road. Admittance is £5 and under 14's go free.