Nutt Travel M.R.A. Ulster Motocross Series Entertains at Desertmartin!

The 2019 Nutt Travel M.R.A. Ulster Motocross continued at the world famous Desertmartin circuit with the Cookstown Club’s Easter Monday Bank Holiday event, and what a show the 187-entry list put on for the large Bank Holiday crowd.  

The spectator areas were full as the sun shone on a crowd that included World Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea, and British MX1 Motocross Champion Graeme Irwin enjoying some quality racing with their families.

The Premier MX1 Class sponsored by Banbridge based Adair Building Services overall was taken by the on form Dundonald rider James Mackrel on his Edgar Electrical Wholesale KTM 450, but he was pushed all the way by his two arch rivals so far, Jason Meara and big brother John, the Loughbrickland Kawasaki riders completing the podium with Jason taking runner up, after a slip in race two while leading dropped him down the order, much to his frustration. He made amends in race 3 though, by taking the win, while John had a relatively uneventful run to third overall with a 3-2-5 record. Race 3 allowed Robert Hamilton on his Risk Racing KTM to benefit from his great start to post a fine third. Richard Bird, the Lisburn based reigning Champion also had a steady day with a 4-3-4 result on his Five5racing KTM. Richard McKeown back home for the Ulster Championships was sixth, only one point ahead of Ballymoney youngster Jordan McCaw who is improving steadily in this fast company.

The Premier MX2 Class sponsored by Sports Insure was clinched by Martin Barr (Header Picture) on his Crescent Yamaha with three dominant class wins, second and somewhat under the radar in the frantic racing at the front was Glenoe’s Glenn McCormick on his Unique Fit Out Husqvarna, third was Dublin youngster Jake Sheridan on his KTM, with fellow southern rider Stephen Kelly taking fourth was David Robson from Bangor on his Risk Racing KTM , and sixth was Ruari McKeowndisplaying impressive consistency.

The new format of running all the Premier riders together is proving to be a huge hit with spectators and riders alike, with some superb racing at the front between the top MX1 & MX2 riders, and with Martin Barr making regular appearances now, all the riders, whatever size of machine, want his ‘scalp’, and so far the 3 M’s are the ones raising their game.

To add to the excitement, Magilligan MX Park  ‘Superpole’ was once a fantastic spectacle, as the riders crossed the line within five seconds of each other with overall pole taken by Mackrell.

The Semi Expert MX1 Class & MX2 Class both supported by Norman Watt turned out to be an Ashton Brothers show, ironically riding Suitor Brothers KTM’ in the MX1 class, Jordan pipped Aaron to the win with Donegal youngster Anthony Brown taking third on his KTM, fourth was Jordan Wade from Downpatrick, and Russell Tannahil and Jamie Mottram were fifth and sixth.

The MX2 Class was taken by Crossgar teenager Connor Mullan on his KTM, but Dollingstown youngster William McBride pushed him all the way on his Yamaha, with two second places leaving him a point ahead of third place youth runner Jack Moore, Harry Buckley was fourth with Nathan Green and Karl Thompson fifth and sixth, confirming this class as the one to watch for the future

The Clubman MX1 Class supported by Robinson Concrete and CCM Racing from Dublin was taken by Donegal’s Roy McGarvey on his Yamaha, with Colin Gordon second overall after dominating race 1 by only a point, Lee McGrath was third, while Joshua Rea, Ryan Canning and James Greer were the familiar faces in the minor places. 

Laverty Motocross Clubman’s MX2 Class were first on the track, and Scott Fisher won all three at a canter, Callum Hemphill was second, Millisle’s Matthew Bruce third on his Yamaha, Aaron Finlay, Thomas Stewart and Gerard O’Boyle rounded out the top six.

The Veterans Class sponsored by Stephen Russell Motocross & Chilltec Refrigeration produced a dominant win for Ballynahinch contractor Stephen Kelly on his KTM, with Championship leader Jonathan McBride from Comber on his Kawasaki consolidating his lead the absent Ricky Watt. Third was Ian Moore on his two stroke KTM with Laurence Spence, Graeme Girvan and Brian Presho rounding out the top six.

Martin and James take their Championship leads, and their battle for the overall win to the hard pack of Seaforde in County Down for the next round, another Bank Holiday event on May Day Monday.

Malcom Beattie.

 

Images from Fran Hollywood