Saturday saw the first running of the Tandragee ‘40’ Spring Open Motocross at the Tandragee Motocross Park near Laurelvale, with the first running of a ‘Superpole’ at an MRA event.
Showery weather did not deter the entry of solos, quads and sidecars, as close racing was the order of the day in the sometimes-treacherous conditions.
After qualifying, the top ten solos raced head to head on one flying lap to determine their final gate pick. The order was turned on its head by an incredible lap on his Tyco by TAS Suzuki RMZ250F by Dubliner Stuart Edmonds nearly two seconds quicker than JAR Honda’s Wayne Garrett from Comber, and fastest qualifier, Gary Gibson from Ballygowan.
They picked up £75, £50 & £25 respectively from Ross Fairley, grandson of Superpole sponsor Ervine Fairly of Fairleys Garage, Moore’s Lane, Lurgan.
When the racing started, watched by Tyco by TAS Superbike star, and no mean motocrosser himself, Josh Brookes, his off road teammates dominated the Tandragee 40 feature races. Gibson ran out a three time winner ahead of his team mate Edmonds in two races, while Garrett who had battled with punctures, picked up the other second place to fill out the podium.
Although Gary lead all three races from start to finish, Stuart and Wayne certainly made him work for the wins, with all three riding very hard all day.
Grand Prix winner Gordon Crockard crashed out of race one early while overtaking Jason Garrett and in pain from a groin injury retired for the day.
In the solo support race, there were three different winners, who filled the podium, with Combers JAR Honda rider Richard Topping running out the winner. Karl Thompson from Carrick was second with Jordan Blakeley from Moira third.
Emma McQuaid claimedthe quadclass win
The quadcross class produced an overall win for Newry girl, Emma McQuaid, her first overall win in adult competition against the men. Second was her near neighbour Sean Goss from Mayobridge, and Markethill man Gareth McClean finished third with consistent rides to third in all three races.
Sidecar class was an all North Armagh Club affair, and a Lisburn clean sweep, with Neil Campbell & Ross Graham taking the overall with three wins, followed by Hugh Evans & Ian Harrow runners up despite a poor second race. Finishing one point behind was James Earney & Gary Bell with three thirds.
Neil Campbell and Ross Graham lead the way in the sidecars
Also on the agenda was a club members handicap sprint race, this was won by Raymond Brownlie from Waringstown, with local Laurelvale men Matt Sinton & Gareth Mulligan second and third.
A Club sponsorship cheque for £200 was also presented to Jonathan Fairley by club Chairperson Sheila Sinton MBE, this was drawn from all Club members who race and is an ongoing initiative by the Off Road Section of the North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club to support their members.
A great days racing in an unusual format which all the riders enjoyed, despite the changeable conditions, and the biggest prize money pot so far this year in Irish Motocross, the Club’s next event is the Irish Youth Championship at the same circuit on 26th May, followed by the Ulster Adult Solo Championships on 9th June.
Malcolm Beattie
NAMC&CC ORS Press Officer
Images: Alan Gardner