Ballinderry the venue for the first Championship rounds.
Clerk of Course Alan Lechie has been busy the past weekend’s putting together the lap for next Sundays opening Enduro.
A superb car park and paddock at the Clara Lara fun park will add to this event, always a good season’s opener.
Alan will lay out a good route but do not be surprised if the check times are tight.
Rider interest is good and a full field is expected from all parts of the country.
So the likely runners and riders and winners?
Without a complete entry list to hand it is difficult to predict but
EXPERTS
There is a rumour that Jordan Scott (HVA 350) may be riding and if so it is hard to look beyond Jordan as a likely winner. Gordon Clarke will not be riding due to family commitments so competition is likely to come from Current endure champion |Paul Mc Carthy ( KTM 250) , newcomer Charles Stuart ( TM 250 ) a tidy motocross rider , Ray Tolan ( 144 TM ) making a welcome return , Robert Regan ( KTM 250) up to experts , with David Mc Nulty ( 250 Beta) , Richie Leonard ( 125 HVA ) and Ian Kelly ( 300 KTM ) all in with a shout . Shamey Hayes (200 KDX 1997) could also spring a surprise as his talent will overcome the year of the bike.
Perhaps someone else will make the trip to add to the list.
Senior
Very difficult to call this one.
Paul Walsh ( KTM) is up from last season and will not be far off the pace, Ger O Grady ( KTM ) may be favourite , Peter Lewis ( 250 Tm ) will be steady , Ciaran Hayes ( 250 YZ) has been in training , Dave Crean ( GG) will also be steady provided he rides the 300 . Matt Burke (KTM) will be one to watch and as always Kevin Hayes (GG) will always be in the finishing circle as will Paul “The Doc” white, who will also feature in the vets!
Clubman
Someone will jump out of the woodwork, however Mervyn Silverthorne, Tom Ryan and William Thompson will be front runners. Jonno Woods has been training hard and could figure in the winner’s enclosure. Adam Billings is improving as is Gary Yeats and JP Ryan.
Could be a curved ball in this one yet.
Sportsman
The boys who try hardest.
Vincent Dooley (if he rides this class) should push Royce Cathers for the win. Ken Doherty of short circuit fame is on the up and could edge Colin Rooney and the rest of the Doherty clan.
It may be a case of who finishes wins! Plenty of vets in this class which is great to see.
Whoever wins or loses everyone is guaranteed a good days riding ……. Better if no rain but Ok if it does.
Enduro .Ie Admin
Signposted from Laragh village.