Riders get first laps of season under their belts

Conditions at Bishopscourt last Saturday were bright but cold as many riders took to the circuit for the first time this year. It was good to see Cody Nally making the long trip up after setting the fastest lap in the Nifty Fifty race the previous weekend.
Mark Glasgow on his Honda at Bishopscourt. Mark will be hosting a Night at the Races for the Kilbride Playgroup this weekend.  Picture: Roy Adams.Mark Glasgow on his Honda at Bishopscourt. Mark will be hosting a Night at the Races for the Kilbride Playgroup this weekend.  Picture: Roy Adams.
Mark Glasgow on his Honda at Bishopscourt. Mark will be hosting a Night at the Races for the Kilbride Playgroup this weekend. Picture: Roy Adams.

Jordan McGonigle had his first outing after his major crash at last years Sunflower and told me he was happy enough with the way he felt.

You have to feel for poor Stephen McKeown. The current Forgotten Era F1 champion went onto the grass in the first session of the day. When he got back to the track he fell at over 100mph, due to mud on the side of his tyre, wrecking one side of his Aprilia. Stephen was unhurt, but his bike looked very sorry for itself.

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There were a few local lads out. The Hazlett brothers, Matthew and Luke were going quite well. Matthew was on his own 125 Honda and the RT&E 750 Kawasaki. He took to the Kawasaki well and by the end of the day was well up to speed on the bike. His elder brother Luke, in his first run on his ER6 since his big crash at the Sunflower, was also soon back on the pace.

Toomebridge lads Cahal and Padraig Graham were both out on their little 125 Hondas. Taking turns to lead the other one, the boys were setting decent times and hopefully they will be near the sharp end when the racing gets under way properly.

Also setting decent times were Antrim brothers Jamie and Ross Patterson. Both the boys circulated together for a few laps before they separated. Ross seems to have taken to the 600 well, and could well push Jamie hard this year. Mark Glasgow was there to sort out his Honda and showed little sign of having been sitting over the winter. Kirk Dickey from Ballymena has got rid of his 400 and is now out on a GSXR600 Suzuki.

With the cancellation of the Nutts Corner meeting, which had originally been scheduled for the 15th, the first race will be at Mondello on March 22-23. The first race in the North will be the 29th at Bishopscourt.

MARK TO HELP PLAYGROUP

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Many riders are becoming involved with charities, and in association with Kilbride Playgroup, Antrim rider Mark Glasgow will host a Night at the Races this Saturday, March 8.

On the advertising poster it’s referred to as being a Night at the races with a difference in that it’s not televised, but ‘live’. The entertainment gets under way at 8pm sharp, in McConnells in Doagh.

BALLYMONEY BIKE SHOW

The Ballymoney Motorcycle Show takes place this Friday and Saturday in the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre. It features a great selection of old bikes as well as a number of stalls that are sure to whet the appetite of bike fans.

The guest line up has been announced and includes multiple Irish champion Ray McCullough, double World champion Brian Reid, Adrian Craig, Michael McGarrity, Jeff Shaw, Barry Davidson, John Smyth, Paul Robinson and Sam Dunlop. This year the nominated charity will be the Ballymoney branch of the Samaritans.

The show runs from 5pm until 10pm on Friday and Saturday its 10am until 5pm. It costs £5 for adults and £1 for OAP’s and youngsters under 12.

Roy Adams