Blarney
Published: 12th June 2008
Author: Stevie Mills Photo by Sutty
The countdown’s well and truly under way for the Irish round of the Maxxis British MX championship…
Happy days! British championship MX returns to these shores and it promises to be another cracking event hosted by the Cookstown club! Yep, round five of the Maxxis will roll into Desertmartin come Sunday 22nd June and that's correct, it's on a Sunday! Here's hoping that with the day’s racing falling into line with the rest of the world's Sunday sporting activities the increased spectator interest will fill the club’s coffers and secure this event for the future.
Main local focus will be on Martin Barr aboard his U-TAG Yamaha in the MX2 class. Third in the points table at present, let's hope he is back to full fitness in time. It’s no secret that Barty regards Desertmartin as his favourite circuit and it shows every time the Larne man rides at Porter's Pit. Winning at home is what life-long memories are made of and in 2007 Martin came within a whisker of doing just that. The absence of the Crock Star has left a void for the local fans - one that will need some filling! Is this the year when Martin steps out of the shadow to claim the spotlight? Blarney will bet on two top three finishes for our boy with a win possible if he is 100 per cent fit.
His main challenge will come from another two Desertmartin fans – Shaun Simpson and Steve n Sword – who have both enjoyed success around the jump-filled Desertmartin track since they were tiddlers. GP success for Roger Magee's locally-based KTM UK team has boosted Shaun's confidence to previously unexplored levels. But while I’m sure that Roger is ecstatic about Shaun's results and just rewards for many years of hard work, he must also be pondering over the distinct possibility that the Simpson partnership may be drawing to a close as a berth under the KTM factory awning becomes more than just a dream.
Molson Kawasaki have stuck by Swordy throughout his well-documented injury saga, confirming their confidence in the Scot and proving that Molson Kawasaki are a loyal bunch. And Stevie’s repaying this loyalty - leading the British and seventh in the world at the moment is not to be sneezed at and hopefully a sign of even better days to come for the likeable man from Lockerbie.
So, any other local interest? Graeme Irwin scored his first British championship points at Lyng and it’s a steep learning curve for the youngster at this level. Graeme will feel at home around Desertmartin and if he can control himself he does have the speed to score good points aboard his Moto-One by TAS Suzuki. Other local interest will come in the form of Stuart Edmonds, Tommy Merton, GOMX rider Ross Brown and Ricky Baird with Gary Gibson, Drew Goudy and Edward Allingham all possible starters.
The Billy Mac class - formally known as MX1 - is already a battle for the lower podium places. Our local hopes for points are on the shoulders of Wayne Garrett - go Wayne !
In MXY2 Edward Allingham has picked up enough points to get one hand on the silverware. Only six points adrift of the top slot, young Edward is in good company and with only 19 points separating the top eight riders it’s going to be a fiercely fought battle. Edward has stepped his game up another level this year, his work ethic is good and practising with Marty Barr is paying dividends.
The British GP was fantastic! A massive crowd were served up-close motocross in a modern setting which gives us something to aim for in Ireland . I’ve said it before - this is the way forward for GPs and MX events that need punters in abundance to make them pay.
Martin Barr qualified through his heat at the British GP despite dropping his U-TAG Yamaha in the early stages of the race. Keeping his motor alive, Martin quickly remounted and charged through to claim 12th position and the final transfer place to the GP. Unfortunately, the Irishman's luck ended while running 13th in the first moto when a small crash cost him both ground and rhythm. Moto two highlighted his shoulder injury and lack of race time at GP level so far this year.
August 30/31 is fast approaching, Fairyhouse is the venue and world championship motocross is the event! MCI president Sean Bissett and his crew will be feeling the strain as the dream of having a GP south of the border becomes a stark reality. I have a feeing that the Irish GP is going to be the jewel in the crown for GP MX this year.
Namur - with all its history and nostalgia - it is not but Fairyhouse offers more in terms of facilities that may catapult motocross in Ireland towards becoming a mainstream spectator sport. This can only be good news for the future generation of fans and riders.
Irish MX1 is starting to take shape with the defending champ, Moto-One by TAS racer Wayne Garrett, holding a slender lead over a very capable pack. Five rounds remain of the eight-round series and RS Freight Honda-mounted Richard Bird is levering himself into gear for the long haul race for the championship. Stuart Edmonds aboard his TM has been a formidable foe – he’s got race-winning speed and fitness in abundance - but the occasional DNF is keeping Stuart off the top spot.
Teenager Gary Gibson is no slouch and has won races in both classes. The Ballygowan Honda rider holds fourth in the points table. Number two last season, fifth-placed Mike Sinton finds himself toughing it out with a dislocated shoulder. The GOMX/JRM Honda runner is considering a move to the MX2 class for the remainder of the season.
In the Irish MX2 class it’s a Moto-One first and second with Graeme Irwin holding a 12-point advantage over Wayne Garrett. Third is Philip Loughlin who now has regained the level of fitness to match the speed that brought him so much success in his youth racing career. That man Gibson is also making his presence felt in the MX2 class with Jason Garrett, flying the AJ Elite Bathroom/KTM banner, filling out the top five at this point.
See you all at the Desert!