Down High School to premiere film on late road racing legend

Down High School to premiere film on late road racing legend

26 February 2020

A SUPERB new film on the life of Killyleagh road racer Brian Steenson will be screened at his former school in Downpatrick next week.

Down High School — where Steenson was a former head boy — will be showing the premiere of the documentary entitled ‘Brian Steenson — The Last Lap’ next Wednesday, March 4, at 7.30pm.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Steenson’s’ tragic death at the Nobles Hospital on the Isle of Man in 1970 after a crash while competing in the world famous TT races.

Steenson had a short but very successful career between 1968 and 1970 with rostrum places at the TT and road races across Ireland. All profits from the new DVD film will go to the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland charity.

The new Steenson documentary has been put together by Colin James and Rowland White who recently made the tribute film to Tom Herron — who has close links with Newcastle —  entitled “Tom and Andrea — the racing years”.

The very popular Steenson spent a third of his life at Down High, with the documentary film reflecting on his life from his primary school days in Killyleagh through his time at Down High and Queen’s University in Belfast. 

Highlights from his motorcycle racing career are woven through his personal life, including Steenson’s long association with his childhood sweetheart Irene, who will be travelling from her home in England to attend next week’s screening. The couple first met in Down High when he was 15 years old. 

The documentary is beautifully illustrated with many unseen pictures from the rider’s races and life outside the track.

It is a human drama story told by those who interacted with the rider over his 23 years including his girlfriend, former teacher, fellow pupils, university colleagues, fellow racers and fans from his race days. Presented and narrated by Stephen Watson, the film draws on the first-hand memories of those who knew him best. 

Documentary director Colin and producer Rowland have dedicated much time and interest to the film which highlights the extraordinary talent Brian Steenson was.

Colin is associated with Waldovision which has produced a number of motorcycle racing documentaries including “How the North West Was Won” and “Joey Dunlop Remembered” for the BBC. 

In addition, Colin also produced a film about legendary Irish motorcycle racer Stanley Woods for RTE.

Woods has close links with Tyrella, while Roland is a sports photographer with a long history of motorcycle coverage including working for The Motor Cycle, Motor Cycling and other magazine publications.

“We think it is a fitting tribute to Brian’s memory to premiere this film in Down High School,” said the documentary makers.

“The school has been very helpful with the making of the programme, including providing rare memorabilia and helping to stage some dramatic re-enactments of moments in Brian’s life at Down High”.

Broadcaster Stephen Watson said he is delighted to be involved in the tribute film to a sportsman who made such an impact on the history of motorcycle racing in his short racing career. 

The new film is about an hour in length and the DVD will be on sale on the day of the premiere’s screening, while tickets for the March 4 event cost £12 and can be purchased on-line through https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/brian-steenson-documentary-film-the-last-lap-tickets-86697014103