First one Down at Donard
By TMX Archives on 26th Feb 09
THE 2009 SPEA FIM World Trials Championship will kick-off this year in Northern Ireland when the Lightweight MCC run a two-day event at Donard Park, Newcastle, on the weekend April 4/5, under the title of The Adelaide GP of Ireland. World champ Toni Bou will begin the defence of his title from the likes of Adam Raga, Dougie Lampkin and Takahisa Fujinami in the Mourne Mountains. The Lightweight club is extremely pleased to be working with Down District Council at this new venue, and excited about what this special event will bring to the town. Offering a town centre location with seaside resort facilities, Donard Park will give fans the chance to see some of the World's best trialing sections only a few minutes walk from the promenade. Donard Park itself is mostly thick forest, interspersed with rivers and streams carving their way from the Mourne Mountains to the sea, and also a large quarry area which overlooks the town, and marks the change from forest to open mountainside.
The club, which officially launched the event last week, also announced a new title sponsor of the event, Adelaide Insurance Services, Northern Ireland's long-standing premier motorcycle insurance provider.
The organisers also took the opportunity to thank their other sponsors whose continued support has made the event possible, including Uhire, a Newtownards based Plant Hire company, and Barkley Murphy Building & Shop Fitting incorporating O'Hares Bar & Lounge Newcastle, as well as numerous section sponsors.
Last year's excellent Northern Ireland trial was held in Bangor, County Down, and saw over 15,000 spectators into the area over the weekend. It is hoped that the upcoming trial will meet or exceed this footfall.
A large turnout of press, dignitaries, and officials from all circles of the sporting world turned-out for the launch along with several riders having been invited ncluding top Beta youngsters Alexz Wigg and Jack Challoner from England. T+MX will keep you posted on developments as the trial date approaches.
Pictured are Sean Doyle, Alexz Wigg and Jack Challoner at last week's official launch at Newcastle.