Enkalon Show set for Antrim forum return

A number of years ago the Enkalon club found that they simply didn't have the available manpower who could give the hours to run the show.

It was handed over to a professional promoter, who moved it away from Antrim, to Belfast. A percentage of the proceeds were then returned to the Enkalon club, who re-distributed the money through various branches of motorcycle sport.

Fast forward a few years and there were then a number of issues relating to the allocation of those monies, which proved a source of frustration to the Enkalon club.

That's all behind them, and the Enkalon Motorcycle Show is back where it belongs. In Antrim, at the Forum.

Maybe it's just me, but I always thought the show, when it was at the Antrim Forum had a great atmosphere, and the layout of the venue went a long way to helping this.

The small rooms, each with a couple of stands in, was quite unique, and very much more personal. Punters liked this, and that is what I think gave the Enkalon show its appeal.

The Enkalon Club have poured hundreds of thousands of pounds into different facets of bike sport over the years, and just about every branch of the sport has benefited.

Hopefully this year the show will build on its previous reputation, and with this years TT sensation Ian Hutchinson, just announced as its first major guest, others are in the pipeline.

Road Racing Ireland are on hand to help the Enkalon Club promote the show, and I would confidently expect that, with the contacts that Wallace Rollins, of RRI has, we could have a couple of other very big names.

Wallace is the man who first brought Loris Capirossi, Mick Doohan, Barry Sheene and Kevin Schwantz to Ireland. Not that I'm saying that it will be any of those guys, but you never know, with Wallace.

Also, to be run in conjunction with the show, will be the NGK Irish Motorcyclist of the Year. This is the award that all riders want to win, as its voted for by the racegoing public, and is a true representation of the popularity of the competitor.

In the past men like inaugural winner Tom Herron, Joey Dunlop, Brian Reid, Robert Dunlop, Jonathan Rea, Phillip McCallen and current holder Ryan Farquhar have taken what is recognised as the top accolade in motorcycle racing.

I'm not too sure when it will be held, but I would imagine on the Saturday night, in possibly in the Dunsilly Hotel. I did try to contact Davy Weir, but at the time of writing, he hadn't got back to me.

The show will take place from 10th to the 12th December, Friday to Sunday. I look forward to bringing you further information as I get it.

THIS WEEKEND

It's back to the ISB series this weekend, when Kirkistown will host the latest round.

Watching the internet, as I do, it seems like the the organising Belfast and District club have had problems pulling the required entries to make the meeting viable, and were accepting entries after the scheduled closing date. I hope the meeting goes well for them.

Not having had any information from the club, I would imagine that practice will start about 9am, with racing from about 12.30 or 1pm.

ENGLISH BROTHERS

Speaking to Paul English, team owner of the English Brothers/Impressive Automatics racing team, his lads are well set up for the weekend's racing at Kirkistown.

Both riders, Christopher and younger brother Robert, had rides on R6 Yamaha's at Bishopscourt during the Clubmans meeting last weekend, but while Robert enjoyed the experience, Chris just didn't manage to hit it off with his bike.

Chris told me: “It didnt steer the way I thought it would, and I found it very heavy to throw around. Not like the 125 at all.”

Robert, on the other hand, enjoyed his race, but has declined the offer of a newer, fresher bike for the Sunflower, preferring to limit himself to the GP125 class.

That's about it for this week. Theres a few other wee things in the pipeline, but until I'm told about them, I'm saying nothing. I can get in enough bother by keeping quiet, without letting fly with stuff.

Well, unless you want to listen to the rumour mill. Its always great craic at this time of the year. Anstey and Donald to leave TAS. Anstey linked with possible move to McAdoo. Amor to go to TAS. Michael and William Dunlop to go to TAS. JMF to come back to contest just the Internationals, using Yamaha machines.

Yip, it's all out there if you read the websites. I wonder if there's such a thing as a transfer window in bike racing? I doubt it.