Another grasstrack at Dalway's Bawn has come and gone, and with it yet another reminder of what motocross represents to us. A great turnout of both adult and youth riders along with a healthy crowd of spectators enjoyed the glorious weather at the venue on the outskirts of Carrickfergus. Entries were available on the night in all classes and it was great to see so many competitors rally up to make an entrance for the Carrick Grasstrack Championship opener.
Sixty youth competitors turned out on Tuesday evening while in excess of eighty adults took to the track on Wednesday in front of over five hundred spectators. The track proved to be suitable for all levels of riders and provided some fantastic racing for those in attendance.
Victory was seized by Jay McCrum in the MTA Process Components Premier Class after producing two wins from three starts. Following in second was Richard Watt, who managed to get the better of McCrum in race one and Phil Harris who finished in third overall.
It was Doagh’s Paul Atkinson who took the overall in the Semi-Expert class ahead of Dion Johnson and Harry Stitt while Chris McKinley heads the Watt Motorcycles Clubman MX1 class after round one. Trials man Chris Brown sits eight points back from McKinley following a good start to the championship and Denver Robb rounds out the top three.
Alan Saunders continued his grasstrack form on from last year in the Russells Motorcycles Clubman MX2 class with two wins from three adding up to an overall victory ahead of female competitor Lynsey Haggan who is tied with William Eve for second.
Richard Watt and William Logan battled throughout the night in for top spot in the EVOs but it was Watt who got the better of the local man and currently leads the championship. Ivan Cairns occupies the final podium position.
The Minibike class sponsored by Ernie Coates Motorcycles was a new addition to the Carrickfergus Club events and provided some entertaining racing throughout. Just one point separates leader Paul Atkinson from Phil Adair at the end of round one and it was Warren Ferris that completed the top three.
There was a great vibe around the events that keeps people wanting more and with lasts nights ambience we are certain that this year’s races are well on their way to producing an interesting year ahead. If you would like to hear more, be sure to follow our Facebook and twitter pages to keep up to date with all the latest club and race information. This is the just beginning of the grasstrack series’ and if you have a competitive streak and would like to race in the future log onto our website www.carrickfergusmcc.co.uk where you can enter the next rounds scheduled for 17th & 18th May.
