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With a little over seven weeks to got to what will be the biggest international motorcycle sports event to be held in Ireland in 2008. Preparations at Fairyhouse Race Course for what will be Round 13 of the FIM World Motocross Championship on Sat 30 & Sun 31 August are now at full throttle.

Track construction is well on schedule to be finish at the end of July. The all new purpose built track, is designed by Trevor Callaghan from Kildare and is assisted by Greg Atkins from New Zealand (Atkins is one of the world’s top motocross track designer’s). The track will feature some of the biggest jumps ever seen on a motocross track in Ireland, with massive tabletop jumps and whoops sections that will be among several of the major spectator points on the track that will wow the fans.

Spectators will be able to get complete access the infield of the track so as to seen form different perspectives all of the action during the high octane fuelled weekend.

A number of Irish riders and Irish based rider’s will be competing at Fairyhouse and will be hoping for podium finishes and vital world championship points.

Shaun Simpson will be leading the Grand Prix challenge. Simpson, who rides for the North of Ireland based KTM UK team is from Dundee in Scotland and is fresh from a spectacular performance at last weekends Grand Prix in Sweden were he finish on the podium in a very strong third place, equalling his be ever finish at this level.

Martin Barr from Ballyclare Northern Ireland will be looking for an early birthday present for himself, as he will be celebrating his 21st birthday just three days after the event. The UTAG Yamaha rider who has had an unlucky season so far with injuries such as a broken collar bone and a broken nose, hindering his quest for world championship points. Is looking forward to what the new Fairyhouse track has to offer.

Stuart Edmonds (20) and Ross Brown (23) are among the other Irish rider’s competing at Fairyhouse Co. Meath. This is a big step up both riders who are relishing the challenge on mixing it with several world champions. Edmonds, from Dublin will be riding an Italian “TM” machine, has backing for Electraction and TM UK. Is a multi Irish Champion in both Adult and Youth classes. Stuart has targeted his home Grand Prix for qualifying to join the elite of the motocross world.

Ross Brown from Naas, Kildare, is a close rival of Edmonds on the Irish motocross scene and is also a multi Irish Motocross Champion at both Youth and Adult levels. Brown, will compete on the Sonas GOMX Suzuki at the Grand Prix and has enjoyed a return to excellent form after a season plagued by injuries last year. Having qualified for a number of British Championship rounds this year. Ross knows he has the speed to qualify for the Grand Prix.

This even will see the return of world championship motocross to Co. Meath. Where the first even world championship motocross event ever staged in Ireland happened in Deer Park, Slane back in 1979. Sean Bissett, President of Motorcycling Ireland the promoters of this 2008 Motocross Grand Prix of Ireland acted as Clerk of the Course on that day back in 1979, who has being instrumental in bringing the event to Faiyhouse. Outlined Motorcycling Ireland’s plans to keep the Grand Prix at Fairyhouse until 2010 and beyond. Next years event should be penned into your diary for the weekend of the 29th & 30th August 2009 and will include a round of the Veterans world championship, which will feature many former world champions.

The Motocross Grand Prix of Ireland will offer entertainment for all the family with spectator facilities such as a children’s crèche and play area, a shopping village, restaurant dining, accessible and easy parking, including parking and spectator areas for mobility impaired spectators.

For further information and ticket sales go to www.irishmxgp.ie