The 2012 Irish Motocross season gets into gear on 24th March at Downpatrick Motocross Park where the Killinchy Club promote the first round of what promises to be the most exciting season in years, writes Malcom Beattie.
The entry, led by defending Champion Combers Tommy Merton on his No Fear Energy/Norman Watt Kawasaki is brimming with local talent in both the Premier MX1 & MX2 Classes.
Tommy will face stiff opposition in the MX1 class with his old rival, also from Wayne Garrett. The Comber based rider is now recovered from a horrendous leg break that cut short his 2011 season. Now mounted on new Honda machinery in the JAR Honda team owned by WSB star Jonathan Rea, Garrett is showing signs of his form of old. Reigning Ulster Open Champion Lisburns Richard Bird on his Suitor Brothers/Watt KTM machinery will be out to demonstrate the talent that won him a place on the Motocross of Nations team in 2011.
Hoping to have a better start to the year than 2011, Portavogies Robert Hamilton, on his G&G Ross Suzuki, will be trying to add to his recent March Hare victory.
Added to the mix are the always spectacular Davy Gorman from Dromore on the AJ Plumbing Kawasaki, another switch of machinery, Gary Gibson, on the Tyco by Tas Suzuki, and the Vigors KTM teammates of Ross Brown and Michael Mahon and Suitor Brothers team rider Drew Gowdy from Carrickfergus. Combined with a strong supporting cast of regular Championship runners, this is sure to be an exciting year.
Not forgetting an entry from Grand Prix winner and ex British Champion Gordon Crockard making his 2012 competitive debut aboard a Norman Watt/No Fear Kawasaki.
Tyco By TAS Suzuki's Scott Hamilton will be hoping to transfer his speed from Semi Experts
MX2
An even more exciting year is in prospect in the Premier MX2 Class where Youth meets experience, and some of the hottest prospects in the sport are competing.
As reigning Champion Michael Mahon has moved to MX1, the Championship is wide open, with last years runner up, Loughbrickland’s John Meara hoping to go one better on his TMC Honda, but he will have a tough battle with names such as JAR Honda’s Michael McCammond from Larne, also recovered from a season ending injury in 2011, Ed Allingham, Dromoras Ryan Adair, a returning Jason Garrett after his horrific season ending crash last year, Moira’s Scott Hamilton on the Tyco by TAS Suzuki, and of course, last years teenage sensation, Glenoe’s Glenn McCormick, now on a Norman Watt/Agnew Kawasaki 4 stroke. After his impressive rides on a 125 two-stroke in 2011, this year will see if young McCormick is the talent the sport’s observers think he is.
With a full line up of supporting races for Semi Experts and Clubman in both classes, with new faces in both these classes, with promotions and newcomers, this will be an event not to be missed.
Racing starts at 11.00, three races per class, admittance is £5.00 per adult, under 14’s free, and the track will be signposted off the main Downpatrick/Clough Road.