Column - Blarney - Endless Summer
By TMX Archives on 16th May 06
Bulging entries and events-a-plenty keep the action coming thick and fast over in Ireland
The ranks of the MRA/MCCNI have swollen this season as new victims have either caught the off- road bug or older gladiators have decided to return to racing. This, coupled with the surge of youth riders moving into the adult ranks, has resulted in too many riders wanting to race - in a way we are becoming a victim of our growing success. The way I see it is that there are too many Grade B and C riders while the Grade A gates will start to dwindle after the first few rounds.
Most sports have a promotion and relegation process but in motocross we only ever move riders up a grade. We should consider moving the top 10 or 15 up at the end of the season while the bottom five should be relegated down a grade. Without going too deep into the politics things are going to have to be addressed before next season as it is madness to try to accommodate every licence holder in Ireland on a national championship race day - so stop trying to do so.
Congratulations to the Mourne club on running another successful May Day meeting at Seaforde. The rain stayed away long enough for the sizeable crowd to enjoy the racing on a well prepared hillside track. Circuit owners Norman and Jimmy Green worked hard with the club to attract and sustain the loyal sponsors who once again raised the finance required to increase the prize fund. The MX1 and MX2 class were split and to be honest that didn't make for great depth in the racing as riders were not allowed to race in both classes.
In the MX2 class it was pretty much the Philip McCullough show as the Moto-One/Intouch KTM boss gave a great display of riding hardpack. Against the mighty four-strokes Tommy Merton rode the wheels off his Rainey Bros Yamaha 125 although he was always going to have to settle for the runner-up spot behind McC.
Three different winners in the MX1 class added a little excitement to the outcome. Wayne Garrett on the Moto-One KTM won the first outing and Robert Hamilton on the GOMX/Russell's Yamaha and Brian Steele aboard a WATT Motorcycles Kawasaki each stepped on to the top of the podium.
As the sun disappeared behind the clouds nobody was in any doubt that the rider of the day award belonged to Wayne Garrett. His ride through the field from last to second in the final MX1 moto was nothing short of magnificent - another few laps and Steeler may just have been pushed for the win.
Across the pond things for the local boys are holding up. Gordon is plugging away and every weekend growing his confidence. Some people thought that GC could jump back into the game and win at British championship level - that was never going to be the case. The quality of riders is simply too good, these guys are dedicated athletes and are among some of the fastest riders in Europe. Crock has a game plan and he must stick to that which at times must be frustrating for him as it is not about a quick fix - it's the future that is important.
Martin Barr is not having fun at the GPs at the moment. If he could make the startgate for the race he would make points but qualification is about hanging it out for that one flying lap and that is another skill that the ever-smiling youngster is yet to conquer. Eighth in the British championship at present, Martin has shown that he has the pace to run towards the front of the pack and I can see him push a top four finish before long.
Further down the pecking order Robert Hamilton has consistently scored points in every round although poor qualification times are reducing his chances of gating well.
Ricky McKeown may have seen his run of bad luck come to an end. The GH Racing supported rider has been plagued with other riders' misfortunes so far this season - people falling in his path seems to be the norm. Despite crashing at Matchams Rick scored a point and 14th in qualifying at Lyng proves speed is not in question - he just needs a break.
The Irish contingent in MX2 has been less fortunate. Both Adam McKee and Phillip McLaughlin are not yet making the grade in this competitive class. "The tracks are so different than what we race at home and the only way to learn is to keep racing over here," says Phillip who is determined to stay the pace and qualify as he did for the Hawkstone International.
Both the Ulster and Irish National championships are well under way with two rounds of the Ulster MX1 gone. At the top of the table Garrett and Hamilton are being chased by the old-school of Adam Lyons on the TAS Suzuki and McCullough. Lindsey Newell has made a big impression this season and the fast and stylish Moore Homes racer seems well capable of mixing it at the front - is a moto win is on the cards?
Steven McCaughey leads the grade B series from Conor Bradley and Ryan Shanley who is making a comeback to racing after a few years in the pub!
Round two of the Irish championship is in Cork so I better get packed!
Top o' the day to you!
Most sports have a promotion and relegation process but in motocross we only ever move riders up a grade. We should consider moving the top 10 or 15 up at the end of the season while the bottom five should be relegated down a grade. Without going too deep into the politics things are going to have to be addressed before next season as it is madness to try to accommodate every licence holder in Ireland on a national championship race day - so stop trying to do so.
Congratulations to the Mourne club on running another successful May Day meeting at Seaforde. The rain stayed away long enough for the sizeable crowd to enjoy the racing on a well prepared hillside track. Circuit owners Norman and Jimmy Green worked hard with the club to attract and sustain the loyal sponsors who once again raised the finance required to increase the prize fund. The MX1 and MX2 class were split and to be honest that didn't make for great depth in the racing as riders were not allowed to race in both classes.
In the MX2 class it was pretty much the Philip McCullough show as the Moto-One/Intouch KTM boss gave a great display of riding hardpack. Against the mighty four-strokes Tommy Merton rode the wheels off his Rainey Bros Yamaha 125 although he was always going to have to settle for the runner-up spot behind McC.
Three different winners in the MX1 class added a little excitement to the outcome. Wayne Garrett on the Moto-One KTM won the first outing and Robert Hamilton on the GOMX/Russell's Yamaha and Brian Steele aboard a WATT Motorcycles Kawasaki each stepped on to the top of the podium.
As the sun disappeared behind the clouds nobody was in any doubt that the rider of the day award belonged to Wayne Garrett. His ride through the field from last to second in the final MX1 moto was nothing short of magnificent - another few laps and Steeler may just have been pushed for the win.
Across the pond things for the local boys are holding up. Gordon is plugging away and every weekend growing his confidence. Some people thought that GC could jump back into the game and win at British championship level - that was never going to be the case. The quality of riders is simply too good, these guys are dedicated athletes and are among some of the fastest riders in Europe. Crock has a game plan and he must stick to that which at times must be frustrating for him as it is not about a quick fix - it's the future that is important.
Martin Barr is not having fun at the GPs at the moment. If he could make the startgate for the race he would make points but qualification is about hanging it out for that one flying lap and that is another skill that the ever-smiling youngster is yet to conquer. Eighth in the British championship at present, Martin has shown that he has the pace to run towards the front of the pack and I can see him push a top four finish before long.
Further down the pecking order Robert Hamilton has consistently scored points in every round although poor qualification times are reducing his chances of gating well.
Ricky McKeown may have seen his run of bad luck come to an end. The GH Racing supported rider has been plagued with other riders' misfortunes so far this season - people falling in his path seems to be the norm. Despite crashing at Matchams Rick scored a point and 14th in qualifying at Lyng proves speed is not in question - he just needs a break.
The Irish contingent in MX2 has been less fortunate. Both Adam McKee and Phillip McLaughlin are not yet making the grade in this competitive class. "The tracks are so different than what we race at home and the only way to learn is to keep racing over here," says Phillip who is determined to stay the pace and qualify as he did for the Hawkstone International.
Both the Ulster and Irish National championships are well under way with two rounds of the Ulster MX1 gone. At the top of the table Garrett and Hamilton are being chased by the old-school of Adam Lyons on the TAS Suzuki and McCullough. Lindsey Newell has made a big impression this season and the fast and stylish Moore Homes racer seems well capable of mixing it at the front - is a moto win is on the cards?
Steven McCaughey leads the grade B series from Conor Bradley and Ryan Shanley who is making a comeback to racing after a few years in the pub!
Round two of the Irish championship is in Cork so I better get packed!
Top o' the day to you!
Words by Stevie Mills