Carrickfergus & District Motorcycle Club

"School of Crock" A Hit With Youth Motocross Riders

Not every aspiring sportsman or woman gets the opportunity to meet their hero, let alone have a kick-around with Wayne Rooney or shoot a few practice holes with Padraig Harrington.

Carrickfergus & District Motorcycle Club were therefore delighted to bring Ireland's leading motocross racer, Gordon Crockard to Loughside Farm, Islandmagee on 24 July 2008 for a training session with twenty local youth riders.

The "School of Crock" in association with Norman Watt Motorcycles and No Fear provided the eager participants with the opportunity to meet Crockard and to get an insight into some of the skills which established him as a Grand Prix front-runner and multiple British Champion.

Crockard, who hails from Newtownards, is currently contracted to BMW in the American Grand National Cross Country Championship, but was back in Northern Ireland while that series enjoys its summer break.

The training session commenced with a series of games to break the ice, but also emphasised to each rider the need for mental preparation and the priority of technique over speed on a motocross bike.

At this point the riders took to the track, where Crockard provided demonstrations and tuition on starting, braking and cornering techniques at different sections of the Loughside Farm circuit.

The participants were then invited to put the theory into practice, while Crockard monitored each student's progress and provided tips on how to increase speed whilst retaining full control of the machine.

The improvements made by the group, which included a broad range of ages and abilities, were significant and prizes were awarded to the most-improved riders on the day.

Kyle Johnston scooped the top prize and received a set of No Fear riding kit for his efforts, while Harry Stitt and Ryan McCorry each netted a pair of Scott goggles as runners-up.

However, no-one left Islandmagee empty-handed, thanks to "goodie bags" provided by Norman Watt Motorcycles, signed Crockard photos courtesy of RDMX Photography and certificates of attendance presented to each rider by Carrickfergus Club Chairman, Peter Denney.

A barbeque rounded off the proceedings, with thanks to Sunnylands Meats for the meat provided.

The Carrickfergus Club wishes to thank all who contributed to the success of the event, but particular thanks must go to Gordon Crockard, Norman Watt Motorcycles and Phil Coulter of No Fear for assisting the Club in its efforts to promote the sport at grass roots level.

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