As the title says folks, the entry forms for the opening round of the Watt Motorcycles backed Adult and Youth Grasstrack Championships are now available to download online.

Round 1 of the Youth series will be held on Tuesday 1st May (Evening) and Round 1 of the Adult series will be held on Saturday 5th May (All Day).

As has been the case the past two years, the first round will be staged at Dalway's Bawn, Carrickfergus, a circuit that has proved most popular among the riders over the years so its great to be back at this venue for another season.

The format of the series will be much the same as years before, each class on the evening / day will get practice plus three races minimum with the first three races being points scored and going towards the 2012 club championship. To be eligible to score points you must be a member of the Carrick Club, and for those who are not currently a member you just have to print off a membership form, complete it and sent it along with your £5.00 membership fee to Paul, our Secretary or give it to us at a race meeting.

We have kept the entry fees the same as previous years despite the growing costs of running the events so we anticipate a good turnout from the competitors this year, fingers crosssed.

A full press release previewing the opening round will be follow in the lead up to the event but more importantly, we have put together entry forms and full details of the event and classes for the respective series, you just need to follow the links below and as always, get in touch if you have any further quesitons.

Round 1 Adult Grasstrack Championship - Full Details HERE

Round 1 Youth Grasstrack Championship - Full Details HERE

Remember entries close on Saturday 28th April at 8pm so be sure to get your form printed and sent to the competition secretaries in good time to avoid any dissapointment. If the previous years are anything to go by, the scene is set for another year of excellent and enjoyable grasstrack racing.

Forms will not be available in the shops until the end of next week due to a closure at our printers for the Easter break..apologies for any inconvenience caused!

Also being posted a week later than planned are the prize giving photos from the Cross Country at Knockagh Hill XC from 31st March. We were delighted with how the event ran and it would not have been possible if it wasn't for everyone that contributed in some way to the event. C&DMCC would like to take this opportunity to thank every competitor that made the effort to support the event, we hope you had an enjoyable days racing.

Thanks must also go to the first aid personell, the landowner James Wilson of The Knockagh Lodge Hotel, The Mourne Motorcycle Club for the loan of the Timing Clock, Roy Neill for the loan of the MRA Radios, LJ's Diner for supplying the catering along with the Officials and Track Workers that built the course and kept the event running.

Finally, a massive thank you must go to Philip Caldwell of HTM Off Road who kindly sponsored the event and aside from the sponsorship, Philip was a great help in the designing of the course, spending two weekends aiding in the layout and bringing a team of track workers to lend a hand. Roll on 8th October for the next Cross Country, also sponsored by HTM Off Road.

Moving onto the racing, the clubman class saw the biggest turnout of the two with 57 riders starting and 43 finishing the full race distance. Stephen Shortt took the victory from Johnny Allen in second and Barry Kennedy rounded off the podium positions.

As promised, here are a selection of photos from last weekends Cross Country event at Knockagh Hill, albeit a week on the late side. Thanks to the photographers that supplied us with the photos and a special thanks to Ronnie Moore who got us a full page of photos in last weeks Carrick Times. All photos remain copyright of the photographer credited.

Personal favourite shot of the day was this one from Alan Redmond of the clubman competitors, friends, family, sponsors and officials after the opening race of the day with the picturesque backdrop over Carrickfergus & Belfast Lough. Top shot Alan.

Following Trevor Barnett's resignation from his post as CDMCC Chief Flag Marshal after 3 years of excellent service the club is now looking for a new Chief Flag Marshal for the 2012 season. The job of chief flag marshal is to organise flag marshals ahead of the event, brief them on the day before racing and look after them during the events.

Trevor has already offered his help in coaching the new chief on what is required to do the job so you'll not be alone to start. With a handful of members doing the bulk of the work at present we really need someone to step up and do this job if at all possible so if you are interested please get in contact with us A.S.A.P. ahead of the new season. Speak to one of us or e-mail info@carrickfergusmcc.co.uk. RD