Rory ARMSTRONG BECOMES KARTING WORLD CHAMPION

Rory Armstrong becomes World Rotax 125 Mini Max Champion in Bahrain at the start of December.  Rory fended off seventy-one world-class drivers from across the world at the finals held at the Bahrain International Karting Circuit. 

To get to the Rotax World Finals, Rory had to finish first or second overall in the qualifying championship that he competed in, wherever that may be in the world. Even then, only seventy-two tickets are available for the finals each year. Rory met his goal and secured his ticket to the finals by finishing second in Belgium. 

On the final day, Rory climbed to second overall, contact from another racer dropped Rory to seventh with three laps to go. Rory fought his way back to fifth and made a clear run through to take victory in the closing two corners of the race.

All within 2&4 Wheel Motorsport would like to pass on their congratulations to Rory on his fantastic win. No doubt there is a bring future ahead for Rory. 

2&4 Wheel Motorsport LTD is seeking to appoint independent Director to support the organisation and strategic direction. 

2&4 Wheel Motorsport LTD is a voluntary association formed in 2002, acting as the umbrella organisation for the four regulated motor sport governing bodies in Northern Ireland, liaising with government on key issues and setting the strategic direction for motorsport in Northern Ireland. It represents the common and shared interests of the four governing bodies, Association of Northern Ireland Car Clubs (ANICC), The Motor Cycle Union of Ireland-Ulster Centre (MCUI-UC), The Motorcycle Racing Association (MRA) and The North of Ireland Karting Association (NIKA).   

Role Overview 
The Director roles are voluntary. The appointee will commence their role from the AGM in April 2024.  In line with our Articles of Association, the maximum term in role is three years. The 2&4 Wheel Motorsport LTD Board meets in person at a minimum of four times per year however normally six times a year.  

No prior experience of Motorsport is required. However, knowledge or experience within the sector would be an advantage. 

Criteria: 

The Board of 2&4 Wheel Motorsport LTD have recognised the need to appoint a director with the ability to perform the below criteria; 
• Ability to contribute to strategic thinking and direction; 
• Ability to listen, communicate and influence effectively; 
• Ability to build effective relationships and work effectively as part of a team; 
• An understanding of the environment within which the 2&4 Wheel Motorsport LTD works 
• Analytical capacity, intellectual flexibility and sound judgment; 
• Ensuring that the independence of the 2&4 Wheel Motorsport LTD is maintained 
• Capacity and skill to understand the functions of the 2&4 Wheel Motorsport LTD, priorities of 2&4 Wheel Motorsport LTD members and an ability to inspire confidence and support amongst key 2&4 Wheel Motorsport LTD members.  

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to informal interviews, which will take place as soon as possible after the closing date. 

To apply: send a CV and cover letter and return to niall.murray@2and4wheel.com on or before Friday 8th March 2024 

William Creighton wins dramatic Junior WRC title in Greece

 

William Creighton from Co Down along with co-driver Liam Regan took home a fifth place finish at the 305.81km Acropolis Rally Greece, which was enough to ensure the championship win by eight points ahead of Diego Dominguez. 

Radiator damage saw his aspirations unravel before service on Friday – which saw Creighton and co-driver Liam Regan push their Ford Fiesta for three kilometres in a bid to fix their vechile.

Unfortunately their repairs were unsuccessful and the Irish crew was forced to retire on Friday, offering France’s Laurent Pellier and Paraguay’s Diego Dominguez the chance to win the title.

However, Creighton’s return to action on Saturday, saw him gain more points for setting fastest times despite a puncture, and Pellier’s retirement with a gearbox issues allowed him back into the title hunt. Creighton then knew finishing the rally would secure him the title. 

Creighton has led this year’s Junior WRC since the very beginning after an epic 0.6-second victory over Laurent Pellier in Sweden, claiming 34 stage wins across the 2023 championship. 

A massive congratulations to both William and Liam on their win and we wish you continued success from all at 2 and 4 Wheel Motorsport. 

 

Press Release MRA 360 Events Ulster Solo Championship final round – Replies to Trevor McAfee  trevor.mcafee@live.co.uk

Knock Motorcycle & Car Club are hosting the final round of the 360 Events Solo Motocross championship on Saturday 12th August at the Mountain Quarter Track at Saul Downpatrick.

Located just a few miles from Downpatrick close to the village of Saul. The track is a natural terrain venue located on the side of the hill looking north over Strangford Lough towards N’Ards & Belfast.

The track was used last Saturday for the final round of the Successful Start Solar MRA Challenge attracting over 120 youth & adult competitors. The club have also hosted last year’s Irish Youth Championship round & the  Tommy Stewart Motocross several times at the venue.

The event could not be run without the partnership with the landowner Joe Ritchie & a great bunch of local riders, the track has been developed into a great flowing track with lots of elevation changes, plenty of variation of lines with a mixture of natural and man-made jumps,  to push & test the riders of all abilities from youth to adult.

The final round of the 360 Events MRA Solo Motocross championship will feature all classes adult grade & youth 125/250 practice from 9.30. The 15 race Schedule will commence at 11am with 5 races before lunch then the remaining 10 in the afternoon. Admission £5 for adults under 16 years of age Free,

 

Starting with the Youth 125/250 class for youth riders on 125cc 2 stroke & 250 four stroke bikes.

In the 250 class James McAdoo has already won the championship but the silver & Broze medals are still to be decided between Ben Blazevicius, Lennox Dickinson  & Kagen Walsh in the running.

In 125 class Nathan Donnelly on 313 points has a 37-point advantage over Lewis McMurty  276 and 3rd is secure for Bobby Henderson on 214 points.

 

The main adult class will feature the Mx1 & Mx2 grade A riders, in the Jet Products Ulster Mx1 championship Jason Meara from Loughbrickland on 300 points has won every race after missing round 1. Just 20 points behind is multi-Ulster champion Richard Bird from Lisburn on 280 & Seaforde local Nathan Green holding 3rd on 242.

The Ross Quarry Products Premier Mx 2 class is headed by Dundonald man James Mackrell on 291 points from Niall Cregan on 258 with veteran Tommy Merton from Comber on 234 points.

 

Semi-Expert Mx1 & Mx2 classes for B riders. The Nutt Travel Mx1 class is headed by Jamie Clarke form Hollywood on 300 points with a 31point lead over Sean Laverty on 269 points. Jamie Clarke will have his work cut out to maintain his lead and take the championship. 3rd place is held by Graham Higginbotham on 182. The Adair Building Services Semi-Expert MX2 class is headed by Jack Meara who moved up to the adult class after his 15th birthday, younger brother of Mx1 class leader Jason Meara, Jack has had 8 wins on his way to lead the championship. Tony McCann is just 32 points behind on 257 & Ross Grahm on 238 points in 3rd.

 

Moving to the popular Clubman Classes we start with the Robinson Concrete Clubman Mx1 Steven White from Warrington secured the tittle at the last round. The Silver & Bronze medals are to be hotly contested with Neil Laverty in 219 & Stephen Edgar on 213 points just 6 behind. Finally in the C classes the Philip McCallen Motorcycles MX2 class Rory Cultra has taken the tittle already but Charlie McCann has a 18 point lead over Cameron Mackin in 3rd.  

 

With this being the final round of the 360 Events Ulster Solo Championship, every championship point will be keenly contested by all riders.

 

Yours in Sport

Andrew Huddleson

Knock Club Captain

 

PS I will not be able to reply to any e-mails

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Trevor on  trevor.mcafee@live.co.uk

Entry link below

https://evomxireland.com/r6-ulster-mx-championship-12th-aug-23/

How to get there

Traveling to the event from Newry head to Downpatrick onto towards Strangford on the A25 taking a right onto the Mearne Road. Follow the road for 2 miles passing the Barn Bar & Restaurant turning onto the St. Patricks Road towards Saul entrance on the right past GAA club.

From Belfast head out to Carryduff on the A24 then follow the A7 to Saintfield, Crossgar then into Downpatrick then towards Strangford on the A25 taking a right onto the Mearne Road. Follow the road for 2 miles passing the Barn Bar & Restaurant turning onto the St. Patricks Road towards Saul entrance on the right past GAA club.

Saturday 5th August

Knock Motorcycle & Car Club are hosting the 4th round of the Start Solar MRA Youth Challenge at the Mountain Quarter Track at Saul Downpatrick.

Located a few miles from Downpatrick close to the village of Saul. The track is a natural terrain venue located on the side of the hill looking north over Strangford Lough towards Newtownards & Belfast.

The track has been used by the club for last year’s Irish Youth Championship round & the  Tommy Stewart Motocross several times in partnership with the landowner Joe Ritchie & a great bunch of local riders, the track has been developed into a great flowing track with lots of elevation changes, plenty of variation of lines with a mixture of natural and man-made jumps,  to push & test the riders of all abilities from youth to adult.

The Knock Club are promoting the final round of the Start Solar MRA Challenge Series

This event is for all classes of youth Rider with a supporting adult/EVO/LADY’S class.

 

Starting with the Automatic class for riders 6 to 8 yr. on automatic bikes

This is a very competitive class with just 25 points separating the top 4 the class.  Mason Shields leads on 188 points from Calum Beattie from Moira just 8 points. Third held by Jax Knox on 175 and Blake Teelong-Barry on 163 in fourth.

 

Cadet Class is for riders 6 to 9 yr. in their first year on the 65cc bikes.

Szymon Skuratowski on 209 leads Andrew Anderson by 7 points with Max Jones from Enniskillen on 172

Junior Class is for riders 7 to 10yr. on 65cc with 1 year + of experience.

Caleb Ross has 213 points with Jamie Larkin on 193 & Josh Tyrrell in third with 134

Moving to the Small Wheel 85cc class John McCann has a commanding lead of 62 points from Ben Ford on 154 & Ben Atkinson on 140 points.

The Big Wheel 85cc class is lead by Lewis Spratt on 210 points from Ollie Holland 2nd on 172 &  James Egerton 3rd on 160.

Youth Intermediate 125cc championship is lead by Tiernan Flynn on 182, 2nd Cillian Murphy on 129 & Arnas Krizka on 127 points in 3rd.

Youth Premier Class on 250cc four stroke bikes is lead by Jake Farrelly on 216 with Ross Mackin on 182 points in 2nd, & Cameron Mackin 3rd on 172

There will be a set of races for EVO, Lady’s & Clubman adults limited to a max of 40 riders.

 

With this being the final round of the Start Solar MRA Challenge Series every class championship has to be decided & every position will be keenly contested.

Practice will start at 9.30am with the automatics class then racing at 11am, there will be a short lunch break around 1pm before the final 2 sets of 5 races. After racing about 5pm there will be prize giving & barbeque for the competitors with everyone getting awards in all classes

 

Yours in Sport

Andrew Huddleson

Knock Club Captain

 

Entries on https://evomxireland.com/start-solar-mra-youth-challenge/

How to get there

Traveling to the event from Newry head to Downpatrick onto towards Strangford on the A25 taking a right onto the Mearne Road. Follow the road for 2 miles passing the Barn Bar & Restaurant turning onto the St. Patricks Road towards Saul entrance on the right past GAA club.

From Belfast head out to Carryduff on the A24 then follow the A7 to Saintfield, Crossgar then into Downpatrick then towards Strangford on the A25 taking a right onto the Mearne Road. Follow the road for 2 miles passing the Barn Bar & Restaurant turning onto the St. Patricks Road towards Saul entrance on the right past GAA club.

 

NICSC Charity 2 Day Classic Scramble 16/17 June

 

The Annual NICSC Charity 2 Day Classic Scramble is back for the 5th year! Taking place on the picturesque hill side track near Craigantlet on 16/17th June, this event has raised over £110,000 for local charities and this year the chosen charities are Dementia NI & Cancer Fund for Children.

Some of the fastest Classic and Twinshock riders in the UK will compete with racing starting at 5pm on Friday & 12 noon on the Saturday.

Racing on Saturday will include the prestigious John Donnelly Trophy which will be presented to the best grade A rider on the day, previous winners James Thompson, Laurence Spence, Stephen Russell, Ian Buchannan & Tommy Merton should make for some exciting racing, add in Former GP Rider David Watson, fast local riders Harry Stitt, Ian Dunlop, Trevor Calderwood, Chris Lappin, top trials rider Stuart McClurg and Scottish visitor John Stokes should make this an event not to be missed, one interested spectator will be Sam McMinn who won the John Donnelly Trophy 50 years ago.

Track will be sign posted from the main Craigantlet to Ballysallagh road, Friday evening will see the awards ceremony for Friday night’s racing, a barbecue with live music and a rodeo bull for entertainment.

Spectators are very welcome with no admission fee apart from a voluntary charitable donation on the gate.