GP fever!
Published: 10th August 2007
Author: Stevie Mills Photo by Sutty
With the GP of Northern Ireland just round the corner, Stevie checks out the form of the local heroes
The Grand Prix of Northern Ireland is only days away and it’s shaping up to be the jewel in the crown of the MX calendar - personally I can't wait to see that diminutive Italian Tony C whip his way around the all-new spectacular venue at Moneyglass.
Just as we thought fellow Yamaha pilot Josh Coppins had his name firmly engraved on the MX1 silverware, the New Zealander binned it big time in the Czech Republic and recorded two DNFs on the day as well as putting himself out of action for Namur. With plenty of points still to play for Josh can little afford any more no-score GPs but he should be back for Ireland to defend his title lead.
And what about the home grown talent? It is important that there’s Irish interest in this event - the punters need a local focus – and as always we’ll be looking in the direction of the Crock Star. Moments of magic in Germany and Italy have earned Gordon Crockard most of his 2007 points tally so far and for sure the home advantage lifted him at the recent British championship round at Desertmartin where he collected second overall, taking the shine off Billy Mac in the process. GC has not had an exceptional GP weekend for quite a while - I hope this new venue will provide the platform to lift Ireland's best up the hot list for a job in 2008.
Heading towards the famous Namur circuit in Belgium, GC holds 18th in the points table and the Citadel track has been good for Gordy in the past – let’s hope he arrives for the next round in Ireland with a good result under his belt and a fire burning in his belly!
The move back to MX2 for Martin Barr has been well documented and Ulster’s brightest hope in this class has struggled with qualification at GP level. But Marty’s scored enough points to break into the top 30 riders in the world with several top 15 finishes to his credit. Yes, I am sure the two local heroes would have preferred to race the world's best around Desertmartin but with the des Nations on the cards for 2008 the people with the chequebook required ‘better infrastructure’.
Now while it's a foregone conclusion that every red-blooded, hardcore motocross fan will be at Moneyglass Demesne on August 19, why is the GP being held on the same weekend as possibly the biggest motorcycling event in the Irish calendar? Yep, it’s the MX GP versus the Ulster GP road race which as well as a huge fan base just happens to boast FREE admission. It’s David against Goliath all over again and if the two-wheel fans opt to save their money and check out the Tarmac boys then the potential spectator numbers will tumble.
On the domestic front, Ulster and Irish championship rounds have been disrupted by the constant rain with the Irish round at Tandragee being rescheduled for late summer - December 24! Sorry, I couldn't resist that, it’s actually been rescheduled for a date still to be confirmed…
In the Ulster MX2 champs it’s the Moto-One/Intouch KTM team leader Wayne Garrett heading the table by 84 points from Tommy Merton’s Rainey Bros Honda. In fairness Wayne has not put a foot wrong in the more competitive class, never out of the top three and taking five moto wins along the way. Third in the Premier class, a mere six points adrift from Merton, is teenage Moto-One rider Graeme Irwin. Who, incidentally, is a Grade B rider which again asks the question why, when 24 riders were on the line at the last Ulster round, do we need a Grade B championship?
Ulster MX1 is pretty much the usual suspects - Garrett from Merton with Mike Sinton on the GOMX/Russell's Honda taking a battering last time out at Seaforde. Still third in the points, Sinton had a day to forget on the hillside circuit where a crash in both races has put the brakes on his title aspirations in this series.
Roy Bruce has been cracking on with fund-raising for young Chris Esler with top prizes being a new Suzuki RM125 and a trip to cheer on the Irish des Nations squad at Budds Creek. So buy your ticket today – they’re available at most motocross events and shops throughout the province. “I really want to thank Russell's Motorcycles, Getaway Travel and Wulfsport's Roger Magee who have all been more than helpful with organising tremendous prizes,” says Roy. “And another big thanks to all the members of the MCCNI who collected prizes.”
Team manager for the des Nations is none other than Stephen Russell (that will teach you to do a good job mate – you keep getting the job again and again). Heading the Irish challenge in the USA will be GC and Wayne Garrett on MX1 machines and Marty Barr on a 250F while Tommy Merton is team reserve.
Well done young Stuart Edmonds! The Electraction/CCM Motorcycles TM pilot is making big waves at the hugely successful DEP two-stroke series. Stuart blasted his TM to the overall win last time out at round six of the series which took place just outside Salisbury.
A big ‘get well soon’ goes out to Kyle Swift this month. Swifty busted both legs practising a week or so ago. You never do things by halves mate!
