Come on Down' for the Donnelly
By TMX Archives on 25th Jun 09
THIS Saturday one of the oldest races in Irish motocross the famous John Donnelly Trophy takes place at the Downpatrick Motocross Park, promoted by the Killinchy Club. This event will use a different format to the normal Ulster or Irish Championship races, and will be run as a ‘Fastest 40' race.
All riders will qualify through practice for their relative group and the ‘Fastest 40' on the day will then race for the famous trophy over three 15-minute legs. The overall winner will be awarded the famous trophy, plus, of course, the potential £400 prize money on offer.
All the local stars will be in action, and favourite has to be Dubliner Stuart Edmonds whose recent win at the Bill Hutton Memorial event at the same venue may be pointing to his current form. However, Comber's Tommy Merton, always a real flyer at Downpatrick, will be looking to avenge his defeat in the Bill Hutton.
Wayne Garrett and Gary Gibson will also be after a slice of the glory, and revelation of the season, Richard Bird, will not be too far away.
All these riders are mounted on the big powerful 450cc machines, and it is hard to see anyone on a 250cc machine picking up the trophy, but team-mates Jason Garrett and David Gorman will be there or thereabouts, and young flyers such as Michael McCammond and team-mate Jordan Scott will be trying too.
In the Quad class – running to a similar format – perm any one from former British Champion Justin Reid, David Wray, reigning Ulster Champion Ricky Toye, Michael McAnaney or Sean Goss for the winner over three legs.
An exciting days racing is in prospect, kicking off with qualifying at 10am, with racing starting at around noon. Entry is just £5, with under 14-year-olds free, and the track will be signposted off the main Downpatrick to Clough road.