Ulster Championship RD3: Preview!
Words: Malcolm Beattie
The 2017 Ulster Motocross Championships resume after a long break caused by NW200, BYMX etc. at Tandragee Motocross Park on 10th June at the North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club Off Road Section promoted event.
The Nutt Travel Premier MX1 Class is led by Lisburn’s Richard Bird on his Five5Motorsport KTM by 17 points from Wexford man Jim O’Neill with Greyabbey Smoke Vent KTM rider Craig Brown a distant third, while Banbridge’s Ryan Adair is 10 points adrift on his Adair Building Services KTM.
This seems to be a transition year in the MX1 Class with the injury hit Champion John Meara taking a year out, and Robert Hamilton sustaining a year ending injury in round 1, it gives the younger riders an opportunity to step up to the challenge, however, the experience of Richard seems to be leading the way so far. Neville Bradshaw will also rejoin the series after competing at round one.
In the Precise Protect Premier MX2 Class, Jason Meara from Loughbrickland heads the Championship by 10 points (NOTE: Jason has picked up an injury, read more here) from Luke Smith on his Husqvarna, the Millisle lads year in GB seems to have helped his speed, while Glenoe man Glenn McCormick is third with a 37 point gap to Smith to overcome, although Glenn likes the fast Tandragee circuit so this should be the race of the day.
Throw in some fast youngsters like James Mackrel, Jordan Keogh, Aaron Gardiner and Cameron Turley and this will be a close race.
The Nutt Travel Semi Expert MX1 Class Josh McCorkell on his KTM leads local rider Lurgan Man Mark Dynes on his Maralin Car Wash TWDynes Suzuki two stroke, Kevin Donnelly 26 points behind in third, and Kircubbin man Bob Smyth fourth only a point adrift.
In the Precise Protect Insurance Semi Expert MX2 Class, Paul Lavert holds onto an 8 point advantage over Kawasaki mounted Loughbrickland rider Cailum Devlin, recovered from a nasty knee injury that destroyed his 2016 season, third is Magherafelt teen Jake Hall on his Husqvarna with Sean Lavert and Ruari McKeown in hot pursuit.
The Towergate Insurance Clubman MX1 Johnny Haywood boasts the only perfect score in any class, but Lurgans Barry Dummigan is second with a 44 point advantage over Ian Dunlop with Darren Wilkinson fourth, Dummigan and Haywood are the only two who seem able to string a good days results together, and Barry will be looking for a good result at his home circuit.
The Laverty Motocross Clubman MX2 class is led by 4 points from Johnny Presho on his Honda, third is Darren McMullan, while local man Magheralin’s Karl Dynes is fourth on his Maralin Car Wash/TW Dynes Honda.
Other local riders and Club Members to look out for are Stephen White from Waringstown, Laurence Ruddock from Kilmore, Anthony Lyle from Dromore, Ben Lilburn from Ballinderry, Mark Cromie from Lurgan, Terence McGlone from Lurgan.
Racing will start on Saturday at 11.00 and the track will be signposted from the Mahon Rd and is at BT62 2LS, entry will be £5 and under 14’s free.
