Crockard in command

Crockard in command

4 April 2012

THE Killinchy and District Motorcycle Club got the 2012 Irish motocross season underway at a dry and sunny Downpatrick Motocross Park last weekend.

There were full grids in all classes and the racing provided a treat for the fans who turned up.

The day belonged to triple British champion Gordon Crockard, from Newtownards, who was riding the Norman Watt-supported Kawasaki. He notched up to wins and a second place in the three legs of the MX1 class.

Crockard won races one and three, but had to settle for second place behind Robert Hamilton in the second race, which was by far the most thrilling race of the day.

Killyleagh schoolboy Jordan Martin showed his future potential by taking a classy win in the second Semi-Experts race on the Monster Energy Cosworth Yamaha. He was fourth in the other two races, but was hampered with arm pump for most of the day.

Crossgar rider Mark Patterson, on his Suitor Bros/Watt KTM, was also in hot pursuit in the Semi-Experts class, and just missed out on the overall win over his three races on a tie break decision from Stewartstown’s Donal Teague, who was riding a KX450 Kawasaki.

This was a slickly run event by the Killinchy Club at a first class venue in perfect conditions.

The local action this weekend moves to the tarmac scene at Bishopscourt near Downpatrick for the Killinchy Club/MCRRCI BIG Easter Saturday short circuit event, which will incorporate the Enkalon Trophy.

With a prize fund of £13,000 up for grabs and £1,000 to the winner of the Enkalon Trophy race, it has attracted last year’s winner, Australian Cameron Donald, who will be hoping to retain his win last year on the Wilson Craig Honda Fireblade and make it a hat-trick of Enkalon Trophy wins, having first lifted the trophy back in 2007.

Donald will be joined by his team-mate, William Dunlop, and also included are Ardsman Kirk Jamison, Ballymoney’s Adrian Archibald, Enniskillen’s Lee Johnston, Larne’s Richard Rea and road race ace Ryan Farquhar, from Dungannon.

There will be races for all classes this weekend including 125GP, the D&GW 250cc Irish Championship, 650cc Supertwins, Supersport 600 and sidecars.

The event has attracted Support from Adelaide Insurances Services, who are backing the Enkalon Trophy, Down District Council, Walter Bell & Son Boiler Services, Charles Hurst and the Enkalon Club.

Practice takes place on Good Friday from 9am with racing proper on Saturday from 10.30am. The Enkalon Trophy race is slotted in for 1.30pm.