Motocross mania strikes Saintfield

Motocross mania strikes Saintfield

1 June 2022

LAURELBANK Motocross Park, near Saintfield, came to life last weekend.

The motocross community showed up in force for two days of racing, starting with the Jeff Wright Memorial Scramble and continuing the following day with the Brian Bell Memorial meeting.

The Jeff Wright Memorial Scramble, organised by the Ulster Classic Motorcycle Club, was in support of MNDA NI and in memory of respected rider Jeff Wright who sadly lost his battle with Motor Neurone Disease in 2018.

The club’s rules state that only air-cooled, drum-braked bikes built before December 31 1984 may 

compete, ensuring survival of a golden age of motocross and creating a platform to unite and race for those who share a passion for the classics.

The TJ Plating-sponsored Grade A class was won by multiple Ulster and Irish champion William Burgess on his 1981 490 Maico.

The Norman Watt-sponsored Grade B class saw Raymond Cromie dominating throughout with Richard Portis, Rory O’Neill and William Stevenson amongst others threatening his reign at every turn.

Cromie, on a 1983 480 Honda, kept them at bay to win all three races.

Newlyweds Joanne and Rory O’Neill proved they are forces to be reckoned with.

Joanne held her own throughout the Stitt Marine Grade C races.

The third rce was fittingly Jack Belton, nephew of the late Jeff Wright, but the title of overall Grade C winner was secured by Eric Bracewell on his 1983 480 Honda.

The winner of the Non-Qualifier Handicap was Jamie McMaster on a 1978 440 Maico, outpacing Gareth McKeown late in the game to take the win.

As the race ended the rain began. Thankfully the shower was brief and left the track favourably more grippy but remained a bumpy and fast technical course.

The Jeff Wright Memorial Handicap race commenced with Matt Halpin first on the track followed by Josh Johnson and Rory O’Neill. The distinct sound of the remaining qualifiers roaring onto their tails echoed through a rainbow-filled sky and into the ears of the front runners but the advantage had been too great and they had shown commitment to the race and determination from the start.

Rory O’Neill was the winner on a 1980 400 Can Am., closely chased by Josh Johnson on Jamie McMaster’s 1978 440 Maico.

With William Burgess who did not disappoint, closing the gap over the eight laps to claim third place from Lawrence Spence. William Stevenson came in fifth and Matt Halpin was sixth.

The Wright family and the Ulster Classic Club paid tribute to Jeff’s motor racing career, as well as paying homage to his success on the motocross track.

Friends and companions shared memories and moments reflecting upon his career, achievements and incredible bravery on the track and in life.

Day two saw the Brian Bell Memorial motocross.

As the morning mist left, the vans and fans arrived.

It was clear from the practice laps that Loughbrickland’s John Meara, who is currently leading the Ulster Championship and third in the Irish Championship, and his cousin, World Motocross GP rider Natalie Kane were serious contenders, so it was no surprise when Natalie won the Evo class on a Suitor Autofix RM250.

Spa rider Stephen Kelly scooped first place in the Vets class on his Kelly Contracts 450 KTM, with Ballygowan’s Ivan Cairns second and Declan Murray, from Darragh Cross, third.

Roderick Shaw who raced his way to first place in the ‘Pre 78’ class with Lisbane man Adrian Lappin on his Husqvarna coming in second to Jamie McMaster in the Twinshock Category and Newtownards rider Tony Ferguson taking third.

There were pit stops and punctures, gear fails and all the things that make each day of racing distinctly unique. There was some elite level racing within all of the categories.

The Open classes were riddled with talent from all corners of Northern Ireland. Moneyreagh rider James Milligan on a 350 Husqvarna took second place to Gavin McCormack in Group Two.

In Group One the winner was John Meara with Comber’s Tommy Merton second on his Suitor Autofix 2022 KTM 450 and Jordan McCaw third.

The day’s racing offered up some thrills and a few spills as machines bunched together through corners, scuffling to lead into the straights. Adverse cambers took some by surprise as they wore new grooves in the track with each lap.

The Best Achievement Award went to a well deserved Natalie Kane with gratitude to Natalie and all of the competitors for turning up and taking part.

Carlton and Brian Bell both raced on the day as other family members spectated in a show of support from the Bell family, avid competitors and keen riders but also fans of the sport that runs in their blood.

The Brian Bell Memorial race, which has a roll of honours stretching back over 50 years, was won by John Meara on his Norman Watt Motorcycles 2022 Kawasaki 450.

Ballymoney rider Jordan McCaw was second on his Suitor Autofix 2022 KTM 450 and Niall Creggan was third.

The Ulster Classic Motorcycle Club and The Temple Motorcycle Club wish to extend their thanks and gratitude to the volunteers, stewards, flag marshals, medical teams, Tom Rutherford, Roy Neill, The MRA, MRA Time Keeping, event sponsors and advertisers.