Pulling together
By TMX Archives on 14th Sep 05
Every now and again a rider rips up the formbook - Neil McKeown is one such rider.Neil was born into one of the most prominent motocross families in Ireland. Every now and again a rider rips up the formbook - Neil McKeown is one such rider.Neil was born into one of the most prominent motocross families in Ireland. In 2004 he won his first adult Ulster championship and claimed a podium position in the Irish national series for TAS Suzuki.Phil McCullough could see Neil had the talent needed to partner him in his new Moto-One race team and the pairing was an instant success. Leading the Irish MX1 series - and running at the top of the other national championships - Neil was riding high. Then a routine training day changed his fortune.It's been a few weeks since Neil's accident in which he suffered spinal cord damage - something we all fear but choose not to think about. It is times like this that make me proud to be associated with the MX fraternity - the reaction of people willing to do everything and anything they can to help is overwhelming.Over the next few months Neil will undergo rehabilitation in Margrave hospital which, believe me, is the best place for him to be - they have a fine team of nurses and doctors. Yes, life will change for the 20-year-old and frustrated he will be until that burning ambition that Neil has shown on the tracks of Ireland this year breaks through. Having visited Neil, I can tell you that he is in great spirits and is already making plans to drive a really cool motorcar in the not-too-distant future. If fact, yours truly may just get the job of driving instructor - scary thought Neil!My interest in watching GPs has been rekindled with the return of Gordon Crockard - the Dixon/Bike-it Yamaha rider taking the brave step of getting stuck back into GPs after just one race in the UK. Gordon is under no illusions - he knew it was going to be a tough job to qualify and take points. While that may not be exactly what fans expected of him it's a realistic goal for his first few GPs back.With the final stop on the GP calendar at Desertmartin on September 16/17, be sure GC will be working hard towards regaining his legendary race speed. The final GP of 2005 is shaping up to be a great event - besides the GP regulars, US wonder kids Mike and Jeff Alessi will race in their first ever GP. The Red Bull KTM duo are sure to make an impression, especially Mike who's currently second in the US 125cc Nationals.On to the MX des Nations and Team Ireland will consist of Crockard and Martin Barr on the big bikes while Phil McC will fill the smaller bore berth. With 36 teams entered it will be a tough enough task just to qualify for the main event.Dixon/Bike-it Yamaha's young gun Barr collected his first Ulster Premier crown at Donamana, adding new silverware to the family trophy cabinet. Always a pleasure to talk to, Martin has taken another step forwards this season and his British championship results have confirmed the Larne lad's talent.Robert Hamilton added the Ulster title to the Irish MX2 title that he earned last season under the guidance of McCullough. The 17-year-old GOMX365/Russell's Honda rider will contest the Maxxis British MX2 championship series in 2006 - taking in several European rounds when domestic commitments allow.One round remains in the Irish national series and the three-rider battle for top MX2 honours will reach boiling point come September 11 at Ferns.The MX1 class will without a doubt finish under a dark cloud as a result of Neil's accident, leaving three riders with a mathematical chance of taking the title - Ricky McKeown, Mike Sinton and Neil Thompson.Multi Irish and Ulster title-holder Brian Steele holds a slender lead over the Moto-One KTM of McCullough with Hamilton determined not to give up his throne without a fight. The Ferns circuit provides close racing and with both titles undecided it is sure to generate plenty of local interest.The BYMX round at Desertmartin was a spectacular event with local talent again showing that our youth riders are among the fastest in the UK.In the 'next big thing' class the Premier guys were a pleasure to watch - and many will debut in the adult ranks next season. Jason Garrett performed well on his TAS Suzuki, as did Luke Wilde (Luke was well named - believe me). The Donegal rider recorded top three results but his overall score was damaged by a DNF and a trip to the dirt. Young Adrian Weatherhead and JJ Baird carded 11th and 12th respectively.Sean Devlin was the local hero in the Intermediate class scoring a fine fifth overall and All-Spares Heating's racer Ross Aurthers also got in on the act.Best local rider in the BW85 line-up was Graeme Irwin aboard his KTM while the special Blarney 'rider of the meeting' award must go to Natalie Kane. The charismatic young lady certainly showed the majority of the boys how to ride motocross - 10th overall and a personal best sixth place race finish was a fantastic achievement. Ulster championship leader Aaron Ashton rode well in tough competition for 11th overall.Words by Stevie Mills Photo by Sutty