Dean rounds off season by capturing top achievement award

Dean rounds off season by capturing top achievement award

10 December 2014

SAINTFIELD quad bike racer Dean Colhoun rounded off a fantastic season when he was presented with the prestigious Bertie Mann Award by the MCUI.

The award is presented annually for outstanding performance by an U-21 motorcyclist and Colhoun has certainly been outstanding.

The North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club member had a superb 2014, which included finishing runner-up in the U-21 British Quad Championship Ulster Quad Championship, a top five finish in the British Quad Championship, a race win at the Quadcross of Nations and a win at the Milan Supercross of Quads a few weeks ago, it has been a year of achievement for the likeable youngster.

North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club Off Road Section Dean Colhoun from Saintfield has won the 2014 Bertie Mann Award for outstanding performance by an Under 21 year old motorcyclist.

Presented by the MCUI (UC) committee in memory of Bertie Mann, an Ards Club member and famous racer from the 1950s, the award has been won by some of the biggest names in motorcycling, including Gordon Crockard, Natalie Kane, Nico Mawhinney and Andrew Irwin amongst others. Colhoun is the first Quad rider to win the historic and prestigious award.

Colhoun said he was delighted and honoured to win the award as it not only recognised his achievements, but also the growing importance of quadcross racing in Northern Ireland.

He is grateful to his family for their tireless support, his sponsors at Watson Honda and Bill Smith, father of his close friend, Conor Smith, who tragically lost his life at the 2013 Quadcross of Nations.

Dean and his family are already preparing for the 2015 season and the cash award will certainly help him in his quest to win the Ulster, Irish and British Championships, as well as achieve selection for Team Ireland at the Quadcross of Nations in Germany next year. He is also eligible for the British U-21 Championship.

His fellow club members are proud of his achievements in 2014 and look forward to following his progress in 2015.