Destroyers’ bike show ready to roll

Destroyers will be rolling into Lisburn later this month for their second annual Motorcyle Show in the city.

Last year’s inaugural event, staged to raise funds for a planned permanent tribute to the Destroyers in their home village, brought thousands of people through the doors of the Lagan Valley LeisurePlex venue.

The Dromara Destroyers are motorcycle road-racing stars Ian McGregor, Ray McCullough, Trevor Steele and Brian Reid.

Two-time world champion Brian explained: “Almost three years ago a like-minded group of ardent road-racing fans met with residents of Dromara village with the idea of creating a lasting tribute to mark the outstanding motorcycle racing successes of the Dromara Destroyers, all sons of the village.

“The group has been working very hard in its fundraising endeavours and the generosity of the public has been tremendous.

“We hope the Dromara Destroyers Motorcycle Show which will take place at the Lagan Valley LeisurePlex later this month will provide some much-needed funds and I would urge anyone with an interest in motorbike road racing to come along.”

Thanking sponsors Stoneyford Concrete, Martrain Racing, Maxwell Freight and Lisburn City Council, Brian added: “Maxwell Freight has commissioned artwork on one of its lorries which can be seen on the roads, which depicts some of Northern Ireland’s motorcycle greats and the lorry boasts images of Joey Dunlop, Robert Dunlop, Phillip McCallen, Ray McCullough the Dunlop brothers, Guy Martin and Ryan Farquhar.

“I am also honoured to be included and it is certainly really eye-catching.

“Maxwell Freight will have model corgi trucks on sale at the show for £45 which depict the Titanic ship and we hope these will be very popular, with contributions from all sales going towards the fundraising efforts.

“We are asking for a minimum donation of £5 per person for entry into the show and we hope to see large numbers of people attending.”

Launched last week, this year’s show will take place on Friday, November 14, from 5-10pm, and Saturday, November 15, from 10am-5pm.

At the launch, Lisburn City Council Economic Development Committee Chairman, Alderman Allan Ewart, said: “Last year’s event was extremely popular and given the large numbers of people who visited the show and the interest there is in the iconic Dromara Destroyers, the Council was delighted to support this 2014 event which we hope will be bigger and better than ever.

“The Dromara Destroyers were a formidable force in motorbike road racing and bikes and racing memorabilia plus many of the Dromara Destroyers super-bikers will be at the Motorcycle Show.

“This will allow people of all ages to find out a little history about this golden age of road racing.

“With the Ulster Grand Prix being one of the best-known motorcycle road races in Europe, the City of Lisburn has a long association with this sport and we are really delighted with the popularity of last year’s event and of course we are looking to even bigger numbers this year.”