THE Northern Irish Motorcycle trials community came together en masse recently at the Auld House, Moneyreagh to hold their 2023 Ulster Championship Awards Evening and the transition of the Trials Committee from the MCUI Ulster Centre to the MRA.
The evening was an opportunity for those involved in the sport locally, both young and old to come together, celebrate the year’s achievements and plan for the upcoming Ulster Championship set to begin on September 16 with the Bann Cup, hosted by the Banbridge Club and held in Finnis. This competition will be round one of the AGA Ulster Championship 23/24 season and will be held over ten rounds throughout the autumn and winter months.
The evening saw the presentation of awards from the previous 22/23 championship season. Top of the Trials roster was Stuart McClurg, winning first place in the Ulster Championship at Expert Elite Level and The Fred Stock Cup. Banbridge’s Josh Hanlon took second with Paul Abram in third. Jake Hanlon won the Expert Class and Ards MCC Mansell trophy with Alex Lennox a close second.
Neal Perry earned himself the Semi-expert title and the Bernie Martin Cup with Kyle Turner taking first place in the Clubman Classic and 450 Cup.
Desi Leckey was the 22/23 Clubman and AJ Bell Cup winner with the Sportsman Classic and Vintage Shield taken home by Thomas Crothers. Michael Adams was the winner of the Sportsman and Billy Brown Cup. The five Youth Classes were won by Ella Stevenson, Toby Jones, Ollie Gilmour, Mason Crawford and Shane Abram respectively.
All of whom are up and coming young riders to watch as future Team Ireland members in the making. Proceeds from the evening were raised to help fund this year’s Team Ireland in the Trophy des Nations Trial, taking place in France. The team, made up of Stuart McClurg, Josh Hanlon and Sean Doyle with Johnny Lundy and Adam Harris as minders under the accomplished managerial leadership of Andrew Perry, will represent Ireland this year.
This coming Trials season sees yet another big change as the Ulster Championship will be sponsored for the first time in two decades. Local business AGA The Stove and Fire Centre have stepped in to support and sponsor the Championship, the Stanex family and their two AGA businesses in Belfast and Conlig will be title sponsor for 23/24 Ulster Championship and will be supported by sponsors for each racing grade.
OHA Motorport, Bangor will sponsor the Elite Plus riders and Youth Support. SJ Trials, Ballymena will sponsor the Expert Class. The semi-experts will be sponsored by Inchaquire Industries, Kildare. Clubman Class has Leadmines Motorcycles as sponsor. HTM Motorcycles will sponsor the Sportsman Category with John Hagan Concrete also sponsoring the Youth Support Class. This injection of local backing is crucial in keeping the huge level of talent found at Northern Irish trials events both male and female, young and old, involved and interested.
This new chapter for the Trials community brings with it a fresh and positive start to the Trials events with new incentives for all, and the association wish the local clubs, riders and Team Ireland an enjoyable and successful season.