The 2012 MRA Ulster Motocross Championships have reached their half way point now, and the Championships have thrown up some surprises, and some fantastic racing so far.
The Championships arrive at Tandragee Motocross Park this Saturday with everything to play for, in the Norman Watt Premier MX1 Class, Ballygowan man Gary Gibson on the Tyco Suzuki leads the field, his hard work over the winter, and his self proclaimed lifestyle changes brought on by his ‘nearly man’ reputaion have breathed new life into the youngster, and he holds a 17 point lead over Combers Wayne Garrett, on his JAR Honda, the multi Irish & Ulster Champion growing in confidence with every round after his injuries sustained last year.
Defending Champion, Richard Bird, from Lisburn is a further 29 points adrift in third on his Suitor Bros/Watt KTM, his form improved after an impressive run at the last round at Tinker Hill.
Fourth and fifth are the AJ Plumbing KTM team mates of Jason Garrett from Comber, and Davy Gorman from Dromore, Jason, unhappy with his form after his nasty crash last year, holds 4th, but Davy did not compete at Tinker Hill after a first race crash left him feeling very second hand!
Sixth is Portavogies Robert Hamilton who is having a dreadful year on his G&G Ross Suzuki, crashes and bad luck destroying his Championship challenge so far, but he, along with Larne resident Tommy Merton on his No Fear Watt Kawasaki will be strong contenders at Tandragee.
In the Nutt Travel.com Premier MX2 Class, its all change after the last round, where Loughbricklands John Meara on his TMC Honda turned a 41 point deficit into a 5 point lead in one afternoon, he is chased by teenager Glenn McCormick on his Agnew Recovery Watt Kawasaki, gaining in confidence after his first Ulster Championship race win on the four stroke, the Glenoe lad will be a strong contender at Tandragee.
Only 4 points behind him is erstwhile Championship leader Michael McCammond from Larne on the JAR Honda, hpoing to overcome his bad luck at Tinker Hill, hard pack is not Michaels favourite surface, but the determined attitude displayed by Michael will mean he will be up front too.
Graeme Irwin from Carrickfergus is only 3 points off Michael on his Samsung Yamaha, with Jim O’Neill from Wexford hot on his heels, this class has produced fantastic racing al year, with all the main contenders under 23 years old, this is where the future of motocross is on view.
In the Laverty Motocross/Glenhead Engineering Semi Expert MX1 class, Stewartsown charger Donal Teague holds a commanding 60 odd point lead over Hillsboroughs Steven Megarry, chased by Gary Addis, also from Hillsborough, Gareth Knox, from Lurgan, and Ray Brownlie from Waringstown, a North Armagh Club member , all within a race win of second place.
The Core Drilling Semi Expert MX2 is a much closer affair with Dunadry teen Jordan McClelland showing fine form on his Samsung Yamaha to lead Larne teenager Connor Campbell on his Monster Energy Cosworth Yamaha by 4 points, only 6 behind is Dromara 15 year old Stuart Fee on his little 125cc KTM, the race seems to be on for fourth with Ian Jones, Ben Mottram and Keith Finnamore battling over this place only a few points apart.
The Russells Motorcycles MX1 Clubmans class has produced some of the closest racing seen anywhere on the island this year, the championship is led by Paul Atkinson on his KTM, with youngster Scott Leaney on his Honda from Saintfield 18 points behind.
Third is Colm McMullan from Ballymoney, fourth Jordan Blakely from Moira, fifth Andrew McKibben and sixth, ex Championship leader Gareth Mulligan from Laurelvale, hoping to find his way back to the front at his home circuit, also a North Armagh Club member.
In the Spence Racing Clubman MX2 class, there is a 3 man battle here between Ian Moore on his Husqvarna, closely followed by Hillsboroughs Andrew Megarry and Lisburns Andre Blakely, Waringstowns Stephen White and Chris Simms aren’t too far off the pace either, so expect close racing here too.
Racing begins at 11.00am, entry is £5.00 for adults and under 14’s are free, there are three races per class, so there will be plenty to see for all the family .
The track is on the Tamnamore Rd near Laurelvale, postcode BT62 2LS for those with sat navs, but signposts will be posted on the main Portadown to Tandragee road.
Malcolm Beattie
BTMX Media
MRA Press Officer