Odyssey Ahoy!
Published: 09th November 2006
Author: Words by Stevie Mills Photo by Sutty
One of the biggest SX events in Europe, there are just two weeks to go before the Belfast Supercross blasts off... Where? Odyssey Arena, Belfast When? November 24/25 Why? It's Showtime!
All eyes are firmly fixed towards the Events 22-staged spectacular feast of top class international supercross, freestyle and celebrity minibike racing. Year on year, flamboyant SX entrepreneur Matt Bates seems to raise the bar on what is now one of Europe's most prestigious motorcycle events. In 2005 the mix of professional racers, big air acrobats and celebrities left everybody in attendance crying out for more of the same.
So how can Mr Bates possibly improve on perfection? Odyssey 2006 promises to provide explosive action as the on-form and double Odyssey winner Gordon Crockard goes head to head with previous winners Jeff Dement from the USA and 2004 champion Jean Sebastien Roy from Canada.
Both MX1 and SX Lites are catered for with the top six in each class meeting in the Grand Final at the end of the evening's entertainment. Representing Ireland, GC will have the company of Martin Barr, Philip McCullough, Wayne Garrett and Suzuki-mounted Adam Lyons to keep the local interest focused.
GC is our only realistic hope for a podium result overall and coming from a third place at Sheffield his confidence will be high. Martin enjoys riding in front of his home fans and will want to put on a great show - top six will be enough to make the Grand Final. And will this be the last competitive outing for McC?
McC, Wayne and Adam will give it their best shot but SX requires 100 per cent full-on commitment so if he has retirement on his mind McC will have to put such thoughts to one side. Wayne has youth and speed on his side but lacks the experience to make the difference while Adam's lack of racing throughout the year could show in such a high quality field of international SX stars.
Riders from no less than four continents will be in attendance, ranging from SX champions and GP winners to budding young stars - so book your tickets for Odyssey 2006. Now!
Minibike competition will take place at Ireland's only indoor practice facility on November 28 - call Chris on 07855 521106 for entry details. The Dirt-worx.co.uk minibike winter series is becoming an alternative extreme sport during the 'wet season' and is drawing competitors from all types of motorcycling along with participants from the mountain bike and jet ski fraternities.
Phil McCullough runs regular Monday evening SX schools for both youth and adults on the revamped Dirt-worx.co.uk circuit - call Phil or the number above for booking details.
The final championship of 2006 went down to the last round of the series which was cancelled due to bad weather (no real surprise there in late October) after just one block of races. In probably the worst track conditions ever seen at Ballykelly, it was Tommy Merton who ended the year on a high after winning the season's final moto on the deeply rutted sand circuit.
For a man that had just rewritten Irish MX history, Phil McCullough was not as euphoric as you might have expected as he drove home from Ballykelly having won every championship available on the island during 2006. The Ulster and Irish MX1/ MX2 champion's mood was sombre as he reflected on a journey that has spanned some 20 seasons - and then some. "It simply doesn't get any better than this - it's the end of an era for sure," he said. Odyssey '06 may just be the grand finale of McC's racing career...
Bridesmaid to McC in all the four championships, Wayne Garrett enjoyed a spot of Tarmac racing recently when the popular KTM rider took part in round one of the P+O Supermoto at Bishops Court. Wayne gave a good account of himself and his sixth and fifth place finishes in the A Finals were even more amazing considering this was Wayne's first ever ride on a road-going machine.
There is many a rider that would welcome the news of the Ballymena man's retirement from the sport that he has been at the forefront of since the Bay City Rollers were on Top of The Pops (Shaggy still has those monkey boots and tartan parallels). But I personally can't see McC hanging up his boots yet - he has too much energy and competitiveness in him to stand by and watch his new protŽgŽ Wayne Garrett take the helm of Moto-One for '07.
Controversial for sure - and he can be as subtle as a fox in a hen house when trying to get his point across - McC has got an agenda and one worth listening to regarding the future of MX in Ireland. We'll have to wait until after Christmas to know for sure but I would not bet against the #55 pilot burning the midnight oil in Fitness First during the dark winter months in preparation for next season. And just for the record, congratulations to Philip and Cherry on their recent engagement - I can't wait for the party at Beckingham Palace.
Finally this month on behalf of the MCCNI, MRA and the entire motocross community, may I pass on our heartfelt sorrow to his family and friends after the passing of young David Nelson. God speed...