Countdown to new motocross season launch at Desertmartin

The 2016 motocross season starts on Saturday, 19th March at Desertmartin with the Cookstown Club hosting the opening round of the new season - and a new Championship as the Youth Quadcross Challenge has been upgraded to full Ulster Championship status.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Mar 2016, 20:08 BST
High Flying action in DesertmartinHigh Flying action in Desertmartin
High Flying action in Desertmartin

In the Sidecarcross Championship, new sponsor LPL Supplements joins the Sidecarcross Supporters’ Club in sponsoring the championship.

Reigning Champion Neil Campbell from Lisburn faces a new challenge as he has a new passenger to contend with in Gregory Parminder as Ross Graham has been forced into retirement due to business pressures.

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He will also face a strong challenge from Lisburn Crew Gary Mouds and Alan Gardner who will be hoping for better luck in the Ulster this year. Expect perennial crowd favourites Tony Willis and Ian Glenn, and Ricky Portis and Roy Beattie along with Gordon Ringland and Dean Faulkner to step up.

In the Ballymac Hotel/Gilchrist Plant Hire/Lloyd Acoustics/Southern Quad Centre Championships, the Premier Class looks like it will be another humdinger with defending Champion David Cowan up against Saintfield rider Dean Colhoun on the new WSP Husqvarna Quad.

Any one of Justin Reid, Leon Rodgers, Michael McAneney and possibly Hillsborough charger Mark McLernon can win on the day and so the racing is guaranteed to be excellent.

Clubman Class was dominated in 2015 by Killarney-based Irenuez Furtak, but he should be moved to the Premier Class leaving the way open for Martin O’Neill, Stephen Mulholland and Tommy O’Donnell to battle it out.

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The three Youth Classes are wide open and hopefully the parents will support the Championship this year as the machines are exactly the same as the grass track-based event and there are no clashing rounds. The kids really enjoyed the events in 2015, so here’s hoping for a competitive year.

Qualifying starts at 9.30am with racing starting at around 11am.

With great viewing points all around the track, entry is £5 and U14s go free. LJ’s Catering will be on site.

The circuit will be signposted off the main Maghera to Desertmartin Road, Postcode BT45 5QW.