Report and results: Ulster Quads Championship RD1 – McLernon wins at Tinkerhill
It’s been over a year since we’ve seen Ulster Championship racing due to COVID-19 making it impossible but finally the Ulster Championships got back underway this weekend with a round of the Quads and Sidecars taking place at Tinkerhill, Newry.
After setting a hot lap during qualifying which give him pole position, Mark McLernon grabbed the holeshot in the opening race of the evening and in truth never really looked back. He looked very comfortable at the front and had impressive corner speed to dominate the opening moto.
Dean Dillon was looking good but had some pressure from behind in the form of the very experienced Justin Reid but the former was able to hold on for a strong second spot. Multiple Ulster Champ, David Cowan came home in a distant fourth position with Sean Goss back in fifth.
Pic: Nigel McKinstry
Race two was the most exciting action of the day as Dillon made sure he got the holeshot but McLernon was in hot pursuit. At a slick hard pack and narrow circuit of Tinkerhill it was very difficult to pass but on the third lap McLernon made a pass for the lead. In just two laps McLernon had already stretched his lead at the front but then a suspension issue caused havoc.
Reid also found his way past Dillon with the latter’s chain then snapping meaning he couldn’t finish the race. It left Reid right on the rear wheel of McLernon who was just trying to nurse his machine to the finish line but he was doing a good job of keeping Reid behind him and Cowan was the man on the move in third as he really upped his game from the opening moto and made up a tonne of ground on the leaders. Reid made a move on McLernon for the lead in a nick of time but Cowan was right on his rear wheel and followed through – the battle for the win was on during the final two laps.
Cowan knocked on the door and tried everything but Reid stood up to the pressure and took an impressive win. McLernon brought him home for a solid third – he’ll take that under the circumstances!
In race three, Dillon was out for redemption after the DNF in race two and he took another holeshot. He didn’t make it easy for McLernon but in the end he did enough to take the final moto of the day. It was another battle between Reid and Cowan but this time for third with Reid just holding him off yet again.
In truth if it wasn’t for his suspension issue in race two it could have been a hat-trick of wins for McLernon but he can’t be too disappointed to take the overall victory at round one of the series.
Race One:
Race Two:
Race Three:
Article: Andy McKinstry
Pic: Nigel McKinstry
