Just Deserts!
By TMX Archives on 12th Oct 05
The Grand Prix of Ireland was 100 per cent a success story, one that all concerned can be proud of and a solid platform from which motocross in Ireland can reach out into mainstream sport.The high cost of promoting a GP in Ireland was always going The Grand Prix of Ireland was 100 per cent a success story, one that all concerned can be proud of and a solid platform from which motocross in Ireland can reach out into mainstream sport.The high cost of promoting a GP in Ireland was always going to be a gamble but Damian Fleming and his team at Schism embraced the new challenge. Joe McAleese and his crew worked flat-out and at one point Joe actually took the time to escort yours truly through the tight security into the GP paddock - thanks Joe!I for one was both surprised and delighted at the vast crowd that appeared, even when the locals knew that the Crock Star would not be in the frame given his current form. So, in short, well done Schism and well done the Cookstown Club...The emotion that comes with a GP was clearly evident as the crowd held their breath while Ballymena's Phil McCullough rode the lap of his life during qualification for the MX2. Some one-and-a-half seconds off qualification, McC pulled out all the stops - qualify or crash trying seemed to be the order of the day. And qualify he did!In what is the most competitive class in the GPs, finishing 23-22 is not such a bad result and McC kept his head down and battled on with the kind of gritty determination that's become his trademark.Martin Barr was another Irishman who rode with great pride and the youngster showed real promise. Let's not forget, qualification is in itself a skill - one which up until Desertmartin had eluded the Doagh rider. Backing this up with two scoring rides in his home GP will surely give Martin that boost needed to keep him focused on the future."Steve Dixon and the team have been really good to me and I hope that I can continue to repay them with improved results," says Martin who feels that the Dixon Camp is an extension of his family.In probably his last GP for Dixon Yamaha, Gordon Crockard was as disappointed as his fans - a single point was his reward from a weekend which just about sums up 2005 for the Newtownards man. Rumour of machine problems echoed through the paddock, while on the track GC struggled to a 20/dnf card. For sure the past needs to be left behind if Gordon is to rekindle his once bright flame of success at GP level. Talent alone is not enough to make it in this sport - determination, preparation, good equipment and fitness are all part of the recipe required. And all of these are redundant without confidence and luck.Gordon is still the biggest single talent ever to come out of Ireland and for 2006 the only way is up.Onto the des Nations. The disappointment of not qualifying for the main event was quickly reversed as GC, Martin Barr and McC went on to narrowly miss out on the overall win against Slovenia in the B Final on the spectacular hillside circuit.Congratulations to all our 2005 champions - Martin Barr, Robert Hamilton, Mike Sinton and Brian Steele. Ulster/Irish Semi Expert champ Jonathan Eadie had a cracking season and is looking forward to mixing it up with the big boys in 2006.James Kennedy won Grade C MX2 while David Hobson took the Open class by a mere two points from Lloyd Scates who managed six moto wins. Another rider worthy of a mention is young David Williamson who rode well all season, winning his first Irish title. David wrapped up the Irish Grade C class in Ferns - and the party afterwards caused a few sore heads.We're now into the crazy season. Oh yes, musical saddles are in full swing and #1 on the rumour mill is the Crock Star - where does he go for '06? Three seasons in the GP wilderness due to a catalogue of injuries will restrict the talented Irishman's opportunities but Gordon is determined to make 2006 his comeback year.TAS Suzuki, while keeping their cards close to their chest, have made no secret of the fact that Adam Lyons has set his sights on supermoto. "I need a knew challenge and I believe that supermoto is the way forward," says the ever-confident Adam.Ex Ulster MX1 champion Tommy Merton will again run under the Williamson Construction banner next year. Riding the all-new Yamaha 450, Tommy will concentrate on the Irish/Ulster MX1 championships.Team GOMX365 have announced a three-man adult team for 2006 - Irish MX1 champion Mike Sinton, Ulster MX2 champion Robert Hamilton and teenager Luke Wilde.International supercross returns to the Belfast Odyssey on November 24/25 as Events 22 stage their annual world class SX. Last year's winner Jean-Sebastien Roy will be joined by Mike Brown, Tyla Rattray, Billy Mac and Marc De Reuver who will battle local heroes Crockard, Lyons, McC, Hamilton and Barr.The usual bikes and babes will be on the menu, now add a celebrity Mini Bike GP and Ireland's first ever back-flip and what have you got - a not-to-be-missed, sell-out show!Words by Stevie Mills Photo by Sutty