September 15/16 David Wood Trophy RACES - USBK Rd 8

Promoted by Motor Cycle Road Racing Club of Ireland

The Motor Cycle Road Racing Club of Ireland promote the IFS David Wood Trophy Races Round 8 of the Ulster Superbike Championship.

2018 is the fifth running of the now Prestigious IFS David Wood Trophy Races, with all our long-term sponsors retained which brings an attractive prize fund for the competitors. We MCRRCI endeavor to adopt to rider’s requests and this year all competitors received £30 reduced entry fee as part of the MCRRCI Clubs proportion of the prize fund. We have also changed from three sets of races on the Sunday to two longer feature type races. This is all part of finding the optimum program giving competitors maximum track time and Spectators an enhanced event experience.

Total event prize fund again of £10,000 and Product supported prizes including sets of Pirelli Tyres, Arai Helmet Man of Meeting by MotoDirect, The IFS David Wood Endeavour Award - sponsored by Charles Hurst Hyundai Dundonald & Rea Timber Craft. We also have the Arai Helmet support team at the event for services and repairs. IFS Global Logistics continue as our Title Sponsor, a company with a long history involvement in motorcycle racing and Riders. 

The Supersport Pro class is again the Featured event with the most prize money and awards up for grabs, including the IFS David Wood Memorial Trophy, which is sponsored by Pirelli Tyres.

Jason Lynn – USBK Supersport Championship leader and 2017 IFS David Wood Trophy winner will be returning hoping to win back to back Trophies. Jason has raised his race game somewhat this year on his Walter Bell R6 Yamaha and is 2018 Championship favourite. Mark Conlin (Yamaha) showed a mature side to his racing at Kirkistown, pushing Jason Lynn in both races to the line, it won’t be long before he gets a win! Christian Elkin (Yamaha) has been consistently filling the podium positions this year and will be in the mix. Emmet O'Grady, Dean Campbell, Darren Keys, Darryl Tweed, Derek Craig, Lee Clarke and Jaimie Rea will all be in close pursuit.

One of the events exciting features is the ‘’Sail to Pole’’ with Nutttravel.com for the Supersport Qualifying, the fastest 9 from timed practice get a 6 minute session to put their fastest lap in hoping to secure Pole Position and £100 for the effort. Prize fund for the overall Supersport Pro is 1st place £1500, 2nd £700, 3rd £500 with awards paid down to 10th place.

Wiz Knee Sliders Superbike Pro class has current USBK Championship leader Gerard Kinghan and his closest rival Ali Kirk heading the field. Gerard has a 138.5-point lead over Ali but there is still a possible 175 points up for the grabs. Ryan Gibson, Aaron Armstrong, Paul Potchy Williams (Wales), Donald MacFadden (Scotland) and David Haire who needs congratulated on breaking Kirkistowns long standing outright bike Lap Record will all be chasing Kinghan & Kirk.

This year we cater for all the USBK Championship Classes and have Classic machines at the IFS David Wood event for the first time. We currently have 16 entries for the class and have various machines ranging from 200cc – 1000cc ridden by George Stinson, Barry Davidson, David Carleton, Alistair Henry, Linton Irwin and Mark Kirkpatrick. The MCRRCI sponsor this event.

The Supertwins are Sponsored by Rea Timber Craft and the Production Twins by Robinsons Concrete, these classes run concurrently and produce some great close racing. Gary McCoy, Cahal Graham, Denver Robb, Mark Hanna, Johnny Hanna, Daniel Grove and Kevin Lavery will be mixing it up at the front in these classes.

Pitlane Bike Services Moto 3 class is spearheaded by Paul Robinson and brothers Kevin & Paddy Lavery on Moto 3 machinery and Andrew & Nathan Cairns and Andrew Smyth on 125gp bikes.

Pre Injection class has all Jonny’s entered - Johnny Irwin, Johnny Aiken and Jonathan Gregory and Andrew Brady, full grids in this class and very close racing as the bikes are evenly matched. Pre Injection class is sponsored by SignStik who looks after all our event signage.

A favourite class of the spectators – The Sidecar Class, these three-wheel machines are amazing to watch around the fast flowing Bishopscourt circuit, Sponsored by Ophir Motors Dundrod, Motor Panel suppliers. Local rider Peter O’Neill leads the entry along with Dylan & Derek Lynch, Andy Kennedy and Fergus Woodlock.

Kenny Duncan Plant (Donegal) sponsor for the Lightweight Supersport class. These 400cc machines now getting older but still produce great racing. Dean Campbell, Gary McCoy, Paul ‘’Potchy’’ Williams, Stephen McKeown and Darryl Tweed are amongst the entries.

Nutttravel.com sponsor the class where the youngest competitors can learn the race craft - Junior Cup and Young Guns 125. In Junior Cup Cameron Dawson leads the Championship, Johnny Campbell, Jamie Lyons and Curtis Trimble can all be Winners in this class also. Young Guns has Joshua Rae, Alex Duncan, Karl Lynch and Liam Baird entered.

Superbike Cup and Supersport Cup are sponsored by Walter Bell oil fired Boiler and St Patricks Slemish Spring Water, competitors in these classes have a chance qualifying for the Pro classes and can score points in both Championships

Practice at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit commences @ 9am Saturday 15th followed by 9 races from 2.30pm.

Sunday 16th @ 9am Warm up session followed by 18 Race program at 10am.

MCRRCI have a great entry line up for round 8 of the Championship and IFS David Wood Trophy Races.

This Event can be enjoyed for just £10 pp Event admission and under 12yrs go free.

Bishopscourt Racing Circuit has all catering, rest room and Disabled viewing facilities. The circuit will be open from 4pm Friday 14th September for paddock set up and Scrutineering.

Spectators Friday & Saturday night camping/campervans available no extra charge.

Updates can be followed on our USBK facebook page, USBK Website http://ulstersbk.co.uk/ And www.mcrrci.co.uk or follow us on ifs David wood memorial trophy Facebook page.

Thanks to our USBK Championship Sponsors;

USBK Championship inquiries to mark sanlon – 07861747004 or marksanlon@msn.com ENDS

2018 Leinster 100 & 200 - Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship returns to Mondello Park

The 2018 Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship reconvenes at Mondello Park this weekend, August 4th & 5th for the latest instalment of the popular race series. With the Leinster Motor Club in charge the event will include races for the Leinster 100 and Leinster 200 trophies which carry some of the biggest names in Irish Motorcycle Racing.

The Superbike racers will take centre stage as the battle for the 2018 title continues. This weekend while racing for championship points and prize-money they will also have the Leinster 200 trophy to battle for in Sunday afternoon's third and final race of the weekend. Yamaha R1 mounted Richie Ryan, who has dominated the last two events, will be looking to continue his strong form, but he will have Peter Moloney to watch out for as the BMW rider came very close to taking his maiden win last time out.

The Superbike Cup class has been the least predictable race at every Masters round this year having produced six different winners so far. Jamie O'Keefe was the latest rider to pick up his first win last time out, having pushed hard for an overall podium in race three. With eleven different riders having reached the podium this season the total number of winners could easily increase this weekend.

In Supersport, the riders will be chasing the Leinster 100 Trophy in their last race of three, on Sunday afternoon. Before that they will have completed two more championship rounds where the lead battle is likely to continue to be between the Yamaha of Emmet O'Grady and the Triumph of Dean McMaster. Behind these two, Supersport Cup riders Eoin Collins, Keelim Ryan and Kevin Baker should be quick enough to battle hard with the remaining Pro riders to take the final podium place.

The support programme will include Classics, racing on Saturday only, and two days of competition for Pre-Injection, Supertwins and Production Twins, Junior Cup and Young Guns, Sidecars and Classic Superbikes.

All of the information on the fifth Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship event of the season, including the timetable, is available from www.masterssuperbike.ie. Tickets are also available to book on-line at the reduced price of just €12.50, with under sixteen's admitted free.

Word and images - Mondello Park

Full Compliment for #Team109 at Snetterton Bennett's BSB

This weekend sees the Bennetts British Superbike championship make its return after a five week

gap, and this weekend the series rolls up to Snetterton circuit in Norwich. It will be a full stable of

machines in action for Team #109, after Kevin Keyes flying the flag solo for the past two events in the Pirelli Superstock 600 class at both the third round of the British championship, as well as the World Superbike event at Donington Park last month.

Dickies Junior Supersport championship leader Eunan McGlinchey will be back after an almost two

month break, but will have a new teammate in the class, with 2017 Irish Supertwin champion Simon Reid joining the team for this round, with Dubliner Brendan Glover ruled out due to education commitments.

Following on from a difficult weekend at Donington Park last time out, Keyes will be hoping for an

upturn in fortunes this weekend at the Norwich track. McGlinchey has been keeping busy away from the track for almost two months and will be hoping to pick up where he left off at Brands Hatch Indy, where he scored three podiums from three races last time out. Glover is unfortunately unable to compete this weekend due to school exams, which will see Simon Reid, current Irish Supersport competitor, and son of two-time world champion Brian Reid, keep his seat warm for him. Team #109 are excited to have a full stable of bikes back in action once again this weekend, and we can’t wait to get things underway once again on Friday morning for free practice.

Team #109 would like to thank all our sponsors for their continued support, who without this season wouldn’t be possible; TTS Surfacing, MMD Construction, EMS Copiers, Cork Motorcycle Racing and Vintage Club, Fuchs Silkolene, R&G Racing, Kawasaki UK, Ohlins Racing, HEL Performance, Glenn Irwin GI2, J-Tec Sports, SBS Brakes, JOG Tuning, Shoei Helmets UK, Feridax, James McCann Photography, Gorman Crash Repairs, Jim McCann & Sons Family Butchers, Unlimited Industries, MSS Performance, and Ross Motorcycles Cork.

Mondello Park owner Martin Birrane passes away aged 82

Martin Birrane, entrepreneur, racing driver and owner of Peer Group plc and Mondello Park, dies at the age of 82.

It is with great sadness that the Birrane family has confirmed the unexpected passing of Martin Birrane. The owner of Peer Group plc and Mondello Park racetrack, Martin died suddenly on Saturday 9th June, at the age of 82.

Martin Birrane was rated among Ireland’s most successful business people, having built the London-based Peer Group property portfolio to its current worth of £190 million. But his route to success, like his favourite sport - motor racing, was colourful and varied. At the age of 17 he left school and took a boat to England; from there he spent three years travelling the world and he studied hotel management in Geneva. Whilst in Geneva Martin took French lessons every day until he was fluent in the language yet, short of funds, he sang for his supper late at night in pubs and restaurants. Martin was also a butler to the Canadian ambassador in Turkey during his travels.

In 1958, aged 22, he married Susan. Martin leaves behind his wife of 60 years, along with his loving children Lis, James, Bridget and Amanda and five grandchildren.  In search of new opportunities the young couple emigrated to Canada, where Martin discovered he had a talent for selling real estate, eventually starting his own business in the UK in 1960. The motor sport bug also began to bite, as he drove a Pontiac and started watching motor racing on television. His success continued in the UK as he bought and sold a variety of businesses.

Back in England he did ‘anything and everything’. He had bit parts in films; appeared on the stage and in variety shows and commercials. Asked recently what he would be doing if he hadn’t become a successful property entrepreneur he said, “I’d probably be back in show business”.

In 1983, he acquired a major shareholding and became Chairman and Managing Director of Peer Properties Limited, later renamed Peer Group plc. Martin always loved the view from the fourth floor of his London Headquarters, overlooking his property and investment group based in the Hop Exchange. Sitting south of the Thames close to the Shard and Southwark Cathedral, his boardroom offered spectacular views across the London skyline, including St Pauls, from where many a property deal was clinched. Martin was passionate about his family, property and motor sport, with the walls of the Peer Group board room decorated with pictures of famous racing cars and their drivers, including pictures of his own winning cars.

In every respect Martin Birrane was a winner, who had motorsport in his blood. He successfully competed in all types of racing for 42 seasons, including the Le Mans 24-Hours on 10 occasions, achieving a podium finish in 1980 and then winning the GT class in 1985 in a BMW M1. Setting the Irish land speed record in 1990 was another memorable achievement on an unopened stretch of the M50 when he had to make hazardous high speed turns at each end of the measured kilometre to beat the record.  Martin’s final race was in July 2007 in his beloved Lola T70MK3B clocking up another race win.

In 1997, he purchased the world-renowned business of Lola and then re-built the company, turning it into a thriving success. Under his stewardship Lola diversified into new areas of business including aerospace, automotive and motor sport. Winning races and championships on both sides of the Atlantic, including IndyCar titles with luminaries such as Nigel Mansell, his cars were always winners. Since Lola Cars stopped manufacturing racing cars in 2012, the Lola Group was still under his direction and continues to run one of the finest, most technically advanced wind tunnel facilities in Europe.

In 1986, Martin Birrane purchased Mondello Motor Racing Circuit in County Kildare, Ireland. Martin described it as “a wasteland in need of some tender loving care”. He invested heavily in the venue and today it is the only permanent motor racing circuit in the Republic of Ireland with an FIA Licence. It has hosted FiA Sportscars, BTCC and British Superbikes.  He was busy with arrangements for events to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Mondello, the 60th Anniversary of Lola cars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, and also his diamond wedding anniversary, when he died so suddenly. Those events will now become tributes to the great Martin Birrane and his incredible achievements. 

An astute businessman, principled, intelligent and always elegantly dressed, Martin’s youthful good looks belied his age. At the same time he was a tough businessman who could drive a hard deal, then disarm you with his charisma, charm and humour. But he will be best remembered for his kindness and generosity. An exceptional character who always remained a gentleman.

His family and work colleagues would like to thank everyone who has passed on messages of support. They have requested that they be given the time and privacy to mourn his passing.

Young Racer of the Year - May nomination Jamie Lyons

Having dominated the opening three events of the Junior Cup class at the 2018 Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship, thirteen year old Jamie Lyons is the latest nominee for the Masters 'Young Racer of the Year' award. Lyons was chosen by the judges at the May Masters event following three hard fought race wins which brought his season tally to eight wins from eight races.

The Masters Young Racer of the Year award is open to any rider who is under twenty three and competing at the Masters. At each event one rider is nominated to go forward to the end of year shoot-out where they will have a chance to battle for the  €10,000 prize which is provided by Martin Birrane, owner of Mondello Park, Dawn International and Peter McMahon of EICL.

Lyons is in his second year of circuit racing having moved over from a very successful career in Motocross to race in the Young Guns championship in 2017. Swapping to Junior Cup for this season the Omagh teenager was immediately on the pace and has not been beaten at the Masters so far this year. His performances across all three Masters events along with a particularly impressive display in May, under a lot of pressure from his rivals, was enough for Lyons to win the third nomination of the season and he now joins Aaron Wright and Caolán Irwin in the final.

I'm really excited and delighted to receive this nomination and the free entry, testing and garage space that goes with it”, was Lyons reaction to his nomination. “We had another good day at the May Masters, taking three more wins, and I've now won all eight races so far this season. My aim was to win the Masters Junior Cup Championship and win all the races if possible, but now I'll also be aiming to win the Young Racer award. I have to say thanks to Mondello Park and the award sponsors for this opportunity and to the judges for choosing me. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the season now and to taking part in the final shoot-out at the end of the season.”

By winning the Young Racer nomination Jamie will not only take part in the prize shoot-out but will also receive a free entry, testing and garage space for the next Masters event on June 16th & 17th.

For more information see www.masterssuperbike.ie/young-racer-of-the-year.

Images (c) Mondello\Johnny Sweeney

Pre-TT Derek McGee interview

A Year on the Roads and Short Circuits

AQ: What’s the plan for the year?

DM: My main aim is the TT; I want to get back there. This is only my 3^rd year and I missed last year so I’m not gearing up for results. I’ll take it steady practice week and see what happens after that.

AQ: What are the weapons of choice this season?

DM: I’ve got the same MSS ZX10 as last year, the ex-Tarran McKenzie BSB 600 and then the KMR Supertwin from Ryan Farquhar. I’m looking forward to riding that, it’s a bike that can win anywhere. I’ll bring it to the TT and see if I can learn off Ryan from his experiences there too, that should help me along. Then, the Joey’s Bar Moto 3 bike we’re going to ride all year at every meeting that runs the Moto3 class.

AQ: And the Southern 100?

DM: Logistically it will be hard with Walderstown around the same time but, we’re going to try to get back there although I don’t know what classes I’ll be in yet. I really enjoyed it last year so it’d be great to get back to give it another lash again.

AQ: You were the fastest newcomer there last year

DM:  Yeah the fastest ever newcomer lap. Think it was a 112 lap I did, just can’t remember off hand. I was well pleased with that anyway.

AQ: Looking forward to the upcoming races?

DM: Looking for the same as last year, give it a good bash and hopefully get on a few podiums and have a bit of luck at the weekends. Probably do a few more short circuit races too. I did the Easter meeting in Bishopscourt on the 600 and was very happy. I haven’t been there in 3 years, 2015 was the last time I was there. In the last race I ran with the leaders for the full race and was placed 4^th overall. Just behind Ross Patterson and the 2 McGreevey brothers, 3 very good riders. I was thinking I’d have to be running with those riders for a year or so to get anywhere near them. In the end I was able to hang on to the back of them but, it’s a different type of riding. And even though we didn’t have to change an awful lot to set it up for a track, I thought in the first race I was going as quick as I could but, in the second race I was 1s a lap quicker just getting in with them boys to see what they were doing.

I’m lucky to have brilliant sponsors like NJ Doyne and CITP, homes, EMS modular Signature Orthopaedics, RST Motor Direct, Faulkner sheds, A&H racing that mean I can come here to the likes of the TT to race. Thanks also to Gary Dunlop for the Joey's Bar bike too.

Words and images Andy Quinn