The Leinster Motorcycle Club celebrated their 90th anniversary in fine style with a festival of motor sports bringing many different disciplines of racing together at the superb Belmont Deseme near Greystones, Co Wicklow on Sunday July 10th. Of the festivities included the day’s feature event; the Enduro Sprint comprising of a 5km cross-country loop in the surrounding woodland and grassy pastures of the historic estate. With seven timed test to complete it would prove to be an exciting day of close racing for both competitors and spectators alike.
“…Vigors became the only rider to dip inside the magical seven-minute mark…”
Entering the event as favourite for top honours in the Expert class, Graeme Vigors (VMX.ie KTM) didn’t fail to disappoint. Setting a blistering pace early on, Vigors opened up a healthy winning margin that he would hold until the end of the day. By topping the first five tests he became the only rider to dip inside the magical seven-minute mark. Behind him the battle for runner-up heightened between Robert Lynn, Jim O’Neill, Chris Judge and initially Simon Cotter as they all continually swapped positions. By claiming the final two test wins away from Vigors, Lynn eventually broke free of the trio and claimed second spot on the day with O’Neill doing just enough to pip Judge for third. New to the sprint racing scene, Alan Marks was a rider quietly gaining momentum with each run sneaking fifth at the flag.
Robert Regan found himself three seconds shy of third
The Senior class proved to be all about one man as David McNulty completely dominated his class topping each and every test on the day. Having spent the early part season on four-stroke machinery, McNulty’s switch back to the Husaberg 250 two-stroke at Belmont proved correct as he quickly set times that also challenged the top Experts. By winning Seniors he also racked up third overall for his day’s work! By trying to keep McNulty within range, Richie Leonard would make it a Husaberg one-two was he chased him home for second albeit some two-minutes adrift. Patrick Coady rounded out the top three.
“…following the sandwiches came a rejuvenated Jonnie Mercier…”
In Clubman it was the fast starting Thomas Kinlan that would win the day. Setting a pace for the rest to follow, Kinlan clocked up a comfortably winning margin leading into the lunch break and seemed certain of an easy day. But following the sandwiches came a rejuvenated Jonnie Mercier intent on not letting Kinlan have things his own way. Separated merely by seconds the duo swapped test wins between them but it was Kinlan’s initial pace the earned him the Clubman win with Mercier second. After almost 60 minutes of timed tests it was James Sunderland who pipped Robert Regan for third by less than three-seconds.
Jonathon Wood won the Sportsman ahead of Jason Owens and William Lawlor, while Michael Cummins grabbed the Novice win.