Joe’s service to classic bikes rewarded

LIFELONG road race fan Joe Spence has been presented with the William Elwood Memorial Trophy by Paddy Hoey, the vice chairman of the Irish Classic Racing Club.

The presentation took place at Joes home last week.

The award was in recognition of Joe’s services to classic racing, and in particular his stance on Bishopscourts ban on classic bikes.

After all other avenues to have the ban overturned, the local man wrote to his MLA and eventually the circuit’s owners relented and allowed Classic bikes to race there.

The Kells man told me: “It’s a great honour to have been recognised and to have been given this trophy by the Classic Club.”

Paddy Hoey, the Vice Chairman of the Irish Classic racing Club said: “Joe took it on himself to contact the MCUI about the ban.

“They did very little so he contacted the circuit owners at Bishopscourt, who claimed that it was down to noise restrictions.

“He then got in contact with his MP, who took up the case. The result is that we can now race at Bishopscourt again,” added Paddy.

Joe joins the select band that includes Bertie Wright, North Armagh club stalwart Joe McKeown and last year’s winner Gerry O’Sullivan as winners of the Elwood Trophy. Congratulations Joe.

DVD FIRST SHOWING THIS WEEK

Last week’s Times ran a competition, with the winner receiving a copy of the latest offering from Waldovision, Joey, Ray and Rivals.

With some fabulous never before shown footage and photographs of old race meetings, notably the Carrowdore 100 when it ran along the coast, Cookstown, when it ran through the town itself and the Temple 100, I predict that the DVD is going to be a very popular Christmas present.

The winner has, as I write, still to be picked, but I have already got hold of the prize, which will be on its way later this week, with the winner being announced in next week’s paper.

If you weren’t lucky enough to win, there is an advance showing of the film, which is to be released on the 3rd December, in Dromore Rugby Club, Barban Hill, this Thursday evening, 29th November, starting at 8.30pm.

It’s hoped that all of the the Dromara Destroyers will be present as well as some other guests.

Roy Adams