Garrett and Eccles in super form at Downpatrick track

Garrett and Eccles in super form at Downpatrick track

5 June 2013

THIS year’s Ulster Open Motocross Championship is now at the halfway stage after the third round was held at Downpatrick Motocross track on Saturday.

The Killinchy and District Motorcycle Club Ltd., organised the event and the Clubman MX2 class was first to the line.

In the first race of the day Crossgar’s Alexander Ellison and Chris Eccles, from Boardmills, both suffered poor starts and had to fight back from the back of the pack.

The race was won by Matthew Bruce from Millisle as Ellison fought back from last to take eighth position and Eccles came home in 12th position.

In the second race Ellison led from the start to take the chequered flag, as Ellison came home in third position.

In race three, roles were reversed when Eccles took the holeshot with Ellison close behind in second position. His lead lasted until the third corner when he ped back after almost stalling his bike, allowing Ellison to take the charge of the race.

Ellison led the race until the end of the last lap when Eccles found a way past and he held the lead to take his first win of the day, with Ellison coming home in second position.

They were followed home by Ballynahinch’s Stephen Maitland who took 11th, 10th and 14th positions, Leitrim’s James Hilland with 19th, 22nd and a dnf, Matthew King, of Annacloy, who came home in 24th, 22nd and 21st positions and Bruce with 4th and 16th placed finishes in races two and three.

In the Clubman MX1 class Belfast’s William Barr was in control, winning all three races comfortably from Jordan Blakely, of Millisle, who had three second places.

They were followed home by Bailliesmills’ Eddie Hampton in 9th, 12th and 10th positions, Terry McCann from Ballynahinch who finished in 14th, 16th and 27th positions and Temple man Aaron Jordan, who came home in 15th in race one before taking 7th placed finishes in races two and three.

In the Semi Expert MX1 and MX2 class the spoils were shared with Millisle’s Luke Smith taking the first win, before English visitor, Jay Lamb, won races two and three.

Saintfield’s Mark Patterson came home in 6th, 10th and 7th, Crossgar’s Joel Brown finished in 13th, 14th and 9th and Richard Orr, racing on his fathers track came home in 22nd, with two 7th placed finishes.

In the Expert’s MX1 and MX2 class the top three riders finished in formation in all three races with Comber’s Wayne Garrett winning all three races, Lisburn man Richard Bird taking three second placed finishes and Ballygowan’s Gary Gibson in three third places.

They were followed home by Tommy Merton, of Newtownards, with two 5th places and a 6th position.