Looking Forward!
Published: 14th November 2007
Author: Words by Stevie Mills Photo by Geoff Campbell
The ’07 season is over and Wayne Garrett is the new king of Irish MX but with the ’08 MXdN to plan for there’s little time to reflect on a great year of racing…
Finally, the 2007 Irish motocross season is done and dusted! October 20 marked the final round of the Irish championships run on the jump-filled Tandragee circuit which was impeccably prepared by John Sinton. Who would have believed it? ‘Tandragee in October?’ was the cry when the date and venue were released but against the odds the hardpack circuit has never been in better shape to serve up arguably one of the best days racing of 2008.
Added spice came in the form of Gordon Crockard who it must be said was in fine tune and turned up on a 1996 Honda CR500. “It was fun to ride the 500 but unfortunately the poor thing was not up for racing, it was disintegrating beneath me,” quipped Gordon who still managed second overall on an 11-year-old bike! I guess it's official - there is no real substitute for talent! While leading race one GC's five-tonner was shaking itself to pieces and with only three laps remaining the seat flew off, leaving him little option other than to ride ‘trials style’ for the remainder of the race. The multi-time British champion could be heard laughing as he crossed the finish line to applause worthy of a GP win.
Garrett enjoyed his two wins in MX1 and GC was second overall but the biggest smile in the paddock on the day belonged to Mike Sinton. The main focus going into the final round had been the battle for the number two position in the MX1 class with no less than five riders having a mathematical chance to cement a podium finish. Two points separated the newly-signed Moto-One teamster Dave McCamley who has stepped it up since turning orange from GOMX/Russell's Honda's Sinton. But it was Sinton who threw caution to the wind and stamped his authority on the series silver medal on his home circuit, recording two third place finishes. “Third in the Ulster and second in the Irish read as if 2007 has been my best ever season but the reality is that I have had a tough year,” admits Mike. “My team told me to forget about championship points today and just race my bike – which I did. Luckily enough it worked out well.”
In the MX2 championship it was a Garrett brothers one-two in the final points table as AJ Elite KTM campaigner Jason rode injured at Tandragee to protect his runner-up position. Third place on the rostrum and riding with a broken thumb, Luke Wilde riding his Dave Wilde ‘tweaked’ Suzuki scored points in every race this season – well done to the Wilde Team.
Congratulations must go to Wayne Garrett on claiming all four Ulster and Irish titles aboard his Phil McCullough-prepared Moto-One KTMs. Wayne's corner speed was incredible at Tandragee and he hammered home that fact by storming through the MX2 pack after a mid-air collision on lap one with teenage team-mate Graeme Irwin which resulted in Wayne remounting some 20 seconds behind last place. With all four championships already secured, Garrett blasted his way back into second position behind Irwin.
The Seven Towers club ran a sterling event at the Moneyglass GP circuit for the final Ulster championship outing of the year. Near on 300 riders congregated to do battle including Wulfsport rider Shaun Simpson who made a rare appearance as did Martin Barr and this - coupled with the Seven Towers’ promotions team - resulted in one of the best gathering of spectators seen at a Ulster championship meeting in a hell of a long time. Shaun was awesome, coming from behind after hitting the startgate in race one to win in the premier division on his 250F against the best of the big bike riders. Fellow GP regular Barr simply had no answer to the Scot in the first moto and then a crash second time out meant it was not the most successful of days for the Yamaha rider.
On the subject of our home boy by now I’m sure that you’ll all be aware that contrary to media speculation (er, last month’s Blarney? – SL) and press releases Martin has not signed for Wulfsport KTM. Yes, the Larne-based racer had talked to the team as he did several other teams which approached him with offers for the forthcoming season. Blarney spoke to Martin and this is what he had to say on the matter…
“I firmly believe that with Steve Dixon's team I retain the best opportunity to capitalise on the progress I have made this year. To change teams and machinery at this important crossroads in my career could be detrimental to securing my future goals. Through my management team we have clarified my position regarding recent unsubstantiated media speculation on my position for 2008. I wish to thank you all for your support and am delighted to remain with Bike-it Dixon Yamaha.”
Moneyglass is for sure a world class circuit. It way not have the natural hills of Desertmartin and it’s a tall order indeed to measure up to Porter’s Pit but I for one am over the moon that we have a GP standard track with hard-standing paddock that mere mortals can race on. Yes, there were many issues with the Moneyglass GP in 2007 and the world MX media will be bearing down on us next year come September 28 as for the first time Ireland will host the jewel in the crown - the MX des Nations. We had better get it right.
Ireland's hospitality is legendary worldwide - as is our reputation for in-fighting. We need to pull together now, put our differences aside and make the 2008 des Nations the greatest show on earth.