This Saturday the 2012 Ulster Motocross Championships reach the half way point with the Temple Club promoting round 3 at the scenic Tinker Hill circuit on the outskirts of Newry City.
In the Norman Watt Motorcycles Premier MX1 Class, Ballygowan’s Tyco Suzuki rider Gary Gibson holds a 6-point lead over Comber’s JAR Honda mounted Wayne Garrett. Gary’s new found consistency keeping him ahead of the resurgent Wayne over the first two rounds.
Third is Lisburn’s Richard Bird on his Suitor Bros/Watt KTM. The defending Champion had a bad day at the last round in Seaforde, whereas AJ Plumbing KTM teamster Dromore’s Davy Gorman had a good day in the mud to close to one-point behind Richard, with his teammate Comber’s Jason Garrett in fifth. Portavogie’s Robert Hamilton is sixth on his G&G Ross Suzuki and recovering strongly from a disastrous first round.
In the Nutt Travel Premier MX2 class, Graeme Irwin on his Samsung Yamaha leads the way, the Carrickfergus runner being unbeaten so far. Second is his near neighbour Michael McCammond from Larne on the JAR Honda and is only 19 points adrift, with Glenoe teen Glenn McCormick a further 25 behind on his Agnew Recovery/Watt Kawasaki.
Behind this East Antrim podium, Loughbrickland’s John Meara holds fourth on his TMC Honda, with Ryan Adair from Dromara on his Adair Electrics Suzuki on fifth, Wexford’s Jim O’Neill is sixth, these three showing some inconsistency with all three failing to finish at least one race each.
In the Laverty MX/Glenhead Engineering Semi Expert MX1 Class, Stewartsown’s Donal Teague dominates with only one second place spoiling his perfect record so far, he holds a commanding 39 point lead over Trevor McMullan from Armoy, with Hillsborough’s Stephen Megarry hot on his heels only 3 points behind.
Fourth is Lurgan man Gareth Knox on his Suzuki, returning to motocross after a few years concentrating on Supermoto, only 10 points adrift of third, with Gary Addis from Hillsborough only one point behind Knox, and Ryan Fenton from Ballymoney only five points behind Addis, things are close in the apparent race for second.
Fee leads McClelland by 2-points in the Semi-Expert MX2
In the ultra competitive Bore A Hole Core Drilling Semi Expert MX2 Class, Championship leader Stuart Fee from Dromara on his Fee Engineering 125cc KTM is only 2 points ahead of Dunadry teen Jordan McClelland on his Samsung Yamaha, Larne’s teenager Connor Campbell fills out the podium positions on his Monster Energy Yamaha, with the injured Mark Dynes from Lurgan in fourth, the way is open for youngsters Jordan Wade from Downpatrick and Karl Thompson from Carrick to move up the table.
Russell’s Motorcycles Clubman MX1 class has seen some fantastic racing this year with only 14 points separating the top 4, current leader Paul Atkinson will have the chance to extend his lead over the absent Gareth Mulligan from Laurelvale, young Scott Leaney on his Honda, Colm McMullan, Kieran McMullan & Kieran McKinlay and Matthew Wren.
The Spence Racing Clubman MX2 Ian Moore leads the way on his Husqvarna by 2 points from Andrew Megarry from Hillsborough suffering from a bad day at Seaforde, Andre Blakely in third, with Waringstown man Stephen White on his Honda in fourth, Chris Simms and Colm Gardiner round out the top six.
Racing starts at 1100 at the circuit on the A1 main Belfast to Newry Rd just north of the City of Newry, the circuit is one of the most picturesque in Ireland, and entry is £5.00 under 14’s free.
Malcolm Beattie
MRA Press Officer
