The Suitor Brothers/Norman Watt KTM Teams 2012 roller coaster season shows no sign of change so far, with Doon throwing up the usual highs and lows.
With Premier MX2 rider Drew Goudy out for 6-8 weeks with a dislocated shoulder, and youngster Jonathan O’Neill still sidelined with his broken wrist, Doon was no kinder to the team members.
In the Premier MX1 class, team leader and reigning Ulster Open Class Champion Richard Bird from Lisburn fell in race 2 while following up his fine third place in race one. Injuring his hip, meant he was unable to start race 3. The crash was no fault of the rider; Richard was in a strong third again when after a jump the bike hit a bump wrongly and pitched Richard over the bars. Team manager Rowley Suitor said ‘Richard feels stiff and sore, but does not think there is any serious damage’.
Fellow Premier Class MX1 team mates, Niall McAuley from Larne, and Saintfield’s Phil Harris had largely uneventful rides in the three races, with Niall finishing with a 12th, 10th and 9th, excellent results for the hard working Larne man, and Phil with a steady 15th,14th & 13th.
In Semi Expert MX2, the ever-smiling Chris Patterson from Crossgar showed tremendous speed and determination in this ultra competitive class. In race 1 and race 2 he was taken down by other riders at the first corner, and fought back in both races to finish 10th and 7th, followed by a fine ride to 9th in race 3.
In the Clubman’s MX2 class, Comber lad Stephen Gill had another topsy turvey day, with a hard ride after a fall in race 1 to 9th, but a non finish in race 2 after having to pull out with a tightening engine while lying second, he redeemed himself riding teammate Patterson’s machine in race 3 to keep his Championship hopes alive.
Team Manager/Owner Rowley Suitor was well pleased with the teams overall performance, although concerned with the injury to Richard, he is looking forward to the rest season with enthusiasm.
Malcolm Beattie/BTMX