Easter Race Report

Ulster Open Championship

A wet and cold start to the 2008 season failed to dampen the enthuasim of the riders who gave the crowd red hot entertainment over the Easter weekend at Donemana motocross park. With Defending Champions Wayne Garret switching machinery to Suzuki and also battling a small injury the rest of the riders knew they had to try and steal some momentum. Stuart Edmunds did just that and left the paddock with leading both series and showing the best form of his career. It also showed things are going to be different than the Merton/ Garret show in 2007. Adding to the list of potential new winners was Hondas Edward Allingham who took his 250f Par Honda to a final lap victory in the 2nd moto of the Open championship on Monday after Garret, winner of moto 1, fell with 2 corners to go while trying to hold off the youngster! Edmunds though had been hovering around the front all day and won the 3rd moto from Allingham giving him first overall after his 2nd and 3rd places in the opening motos. Last years British Youth Champion Graeme Irwin made the step up from Grade B and showed good form with 3rd and fourth but last moto crash left him at the back of the pack eventually coming through to 11th. Closest rival to Garret last year was Tommy Merton but a pre season injury limited his scoring on the day but expect the man from Comber to be battling for race wins as soon as he is healthy on his new KTM machinery. Edmunds now has a slim lead in the title chase over Garret who will no doubt head into round 2 with revenge on his mind!

1 162 Stuart Edmunds 82 27 25 30
2 33 Wayne Garrett 72 30 27 15
3 8 Edward Allingham 67 10 30 27
4 555 Graeme Irwin 59 25 23 11
5 186 Stephen O'Connor 54 8 21 25
6 15 Philip Loughlin 51 21 7 23
7 5 David Gorman 47 13 13 21
8 10 Stephen Kelly 43 9 15 19
9 18 Ross Brown 36 15 8 13
10 57 Richard Bird 30 2 11 17

Ulster MX2 Championship

The 2nd days racing brought a feeling of Déjà vu as Edmonds once again left with overall victory a 5th and two vicories capt a dominating display and the TM mounted rider was proving himself as a genuine title threat in 08. But behind him there must be 8 riders who have the ability to win races and the championship.! 2nd overall was Robert Hamilton who is starting to show glimpses f his old form after a knee injury last year, but times have changed since 2006 and the yamaha rider has a lot more competition than he did when he left for England last year. Edward Allingham once again rode the wheels off his Par Honda and took the first moto victory but bad starts left him fighting through the pack for 5th and 7th places. Phil Loughlin rode great both days always around the top 5 and not giving an inch on the track, he followed up Mondays 6th overall with a 4th on Tuesday. Jason Garret has always had the spped to win and this year he may have the consistency too the only problem is there are a few more riders on his level that he will have to battle for the title two 6th places a 3rd palces left him 5th in the standing. Another rider showing a return to form was Drew Goudy the Honda mounted youngster has the smooth style and technique to win but he lacks the experience to put it all together by the end of the year race wins could be a common sight. What of last years champion Wayne Garret? Struggling on the demanding track with a hand injury Wayne also overcame bad starts, a 5th place in the 3rd moto was his best results but he now knows he has a big fight on his hands to regain his title, but he wouldn’t want it any other way! Grame Irwin looked like he may finally get the better of Edmunds in the final moto but a huge crash left the tough teenager with a reinjured collarbone however he bravely rode around the track to claim 11th place showing the heart of champion, once fully fit Irwin will take no prisoners in his quest for his first adult title. Another potential race winner is Gary Gibson who has come to a new level in 08 if he can stop the crashes race wins are not far away this season. With so many riders capapble of winning and a still to return Tommy Merton the MX2 series looks like being the most competitive class in many years. Many people questioned the lack of depth last season but in 2008 the young riders have stepped up and they are not waiting around, they want race wins and titles and they want it now! Roll on the 2nd round!

1 162 Stuart Edmonds 81 21 30 30
2 36 Robert Hamilton 69 23 19 27
3 8 Edward Allingham 68 30 21 17
4 15 Philip Loughlin 63 17 23 23
5 44 Jason Garrett 63 19 25 19
6 13 Drew Goudy 55 25 15 15
7 33 Wayne Garrett 53 15 17 21
8 7 Gary Gibson 52 0 27 25
9 555 Graeme Irwin 48 27 11
10 10 186 Stephen OConnor 32 11 13 8

By: Jonathan McCready, Photos: Paul McCready