Premiere of movie on Brian Steenson

Premiere of movie on Brian Steenson

4 March 2020

A NEW film on the life of road racer Killyleagh Brian Steenson will be screened at his former school in Downpatrick this evening.

Down High School — where Steenson was a former head boy — will be showing the premiere of the documentary entitled ‘Brian Steenson — The Last Lap’ 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 top podium places in local road races across Ireland. All profits from the new DVD film will go to the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland charity.

The 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 Belfast. 

Highlights from his motorcycle racing career are woven through his personal life, including Steenson’s long association with his childhood sweetheart Irene Kelly, 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, narrated by BBC NI’s Stephen Watson, 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, a former teacher, fellow pupils, university colleagues, riders and fans from his race days. 

Tickets for tonight’s 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.