The teams are finalised, the deals are done and the contracts are signed – now it’s just a case of the riders rocking up to the startline…
Going one-two in the Irish MX2 championship last season with Jason Garrett and Davy Gorman has really pushed the AJ Racing team to the next level. As I write this Team AJ are packing their bags for two weeks training in So Cal – not that I am jealous, much!
Part of the expansion and evolution of the team for 2011 has been to engage the services of Phil McCullough – and not only in a training role! Big Phil will partner Davy Gorman and Andrew O’ Brien in the team’s official MX1 line-up for their Ulster and Irish championship campaigns. Jordan Campbell will carry the AJ colours in Grade B aboard his KTM 250F, the talented youngster is very much looking forward to the season ahead under the AJ Racing team awning.
Now that it’s official that GC’s riding Relentless by TAS Suzuki this season all that remains for Blarney to do is wish him and the team all the very best for 2011. This could be the break Gordy needs to hoist himself back to the top in British motocross. Phil Neill for one believes that there’s another British championship available from the Newtownards man. “I only wish that I had had a 10th of the natural talent that Gordon has when I was racing,” quips the TAS bossman. It’s true, GC has not had a stellar season in many a year but, even so, there have been times lately when the Crock Star still shines through and serves up a helping of brilliance.
Adam Lyons landed the job of Team Manager for the new Suzuki squad. Since hanging up his MX boots, Adam has focused his eternal competitive spirit on running the family Peugeot car dealership and adrenalin pumping mountain bike races. Blarney spoke to Adam about his new role and return to the British MX, albeit from a different prospective to that of a rider.
“We are under no illusions as to the depth of talent and how professional the top teams in the UK are right now,” says the former MJ Church Kawasaki rider. “Our primary objective is to present Suzuki and all our sponsor partners in a professional manner – both on and off the track – which I have every confidence we will do well.
“We have two talented riders in Gordon and Mel Pocock. Vastly different in experience and youth, it’s a good mix and I think they will gel and enjoy working together.
Results wise, I know what both riders are capable of and I am confident we have a great package from Suzuki. That said, this season is about building a solid foundation from which to build a championship-winning platform for the future.”
Martin Barr and the Proppa KTM look like a marriage made in heaven. Marty loves the bike and I think it’s happy enough with him by the looks of his lap times at the local practice track. While Martin is excited and focused on an assault on the British MX1 crown, he’s also thrilled to get another chance at racing a number of GPs this year as he feels that he has unfinished business in that field.
It’s going to be a fantastic season for the Irish contingent in the British MX1 class this year – I can honestly say that with Graeme Irwin, Martin and Gordy we have a realistic chance of taking moto wins and more than a chance of bringing the top accolade back across the pond.
The forward thinking Carrickfergus Motorcycle Club have released details of their forthcoming extravaganza – a two-day motocross on August 19/20. The club continue to build on their relationship with the Carrickfergus Borough Council by making them a partner is this event alongside the popular Knockagh Lodge.
An all-new purpose-built circuit is on the cards and will be co-designed by ex-GP riders Stephen Russell and Laurence Spence, the latter of whom enjoyed a surprise 50th birthday party a few weeks ago. Congratulations Laurence – I believe one of the highlights of the evening was a CD of ‘back in the day’ which was professionally commentated by Mr Norman ‘Surprise, Surprise’ Watt.
A big thank you goes out to everyone involved in the upcoming fundraising day for fellow competitor Chris Gibson who was injured at the end of last season. We all send Chris our best wishes for the future. Desertmartin is the obvious venue for such an important event and as usual the generosity of the close knit motocross family is evident as club members, First Aid etc have made their facilities and services available to support the cause.
