Michelin continues to back Mid-Antrim Trials series

Michelin PLC have renewed their sponsorship of the Mid Antrim Trials series for 2014.
Antrims Lee Osprey on his 400 Kawasaki at the MCUI Training School at Bishopscourt last weekend. Picture: Roy Adams.Antrims Lee Osprey on his 400 Kawasaki at the MCUI Training School at Bishopscourt last weekend. Picture: Roy Adams.
Antrims Lee Osprey on his 400 Kawasaki at the MCUI Training School at Bishopscourt last weekend. Picture: Roy Adams.

This is the 6th consecutive year of the Michelin sponsorship, the championship having four rounds. The first event will be the Shane Cup, on the 15th March, while round two will be the Summer Open event on 7th June. The Autumn Open will be held on the 13th September, while the final round will be the Slemish Cup on the 25th October.

There will be a couple of new awards this year as well. One will be for the best twin shock machine while the other will be for the best overall performance on a TY machine.

I will have more information a bit closer to the time, and further details and results will be posted on www.mamc-bikes.co.uk

FIRST TRAINING DAY

Under the watchful eyes of the MCUI training team, about 30 newcomers and a couple more experienced riders, braved bitterly cold and windy conditions at Bishopscourt last Saturday.

A couple of them were shaping up well, including Caolin Irwin from Donegal, an ex MX rider who has made the jump to tarmac. Despite taking an early morning tumble, when he discovered that the brakes were a bit sharper than MX bikes, I think he’ll be one to watch.

There seems to be a lot of interest in the smaller classes this year, especially the 125 Production machines. A fair number of new Aprilias and even a Cagiva were being ridden. I’m looking forward to this class, as it often produces some of the best racing of the day.

The only lad I noticed from this area was Antrims Lee Osprey, who was on a ZXR400 Kawasaki. Despite not having ideal tyres on for the track conditions, Lee was obviously taking heed of the instructions given in the classroom sessions and was lapping steadily.

The next school will be this weekend at Kirkistown, with the final one of the three on March 2.

NIFTY FIFTY RACES

I’ll miss out of the second training day, as the first proper race action will be at Mondello Park this weekend. The Nifty Fifty Endurance races are, as the name suggests, a 6 hour endurance race for Honda 50 bikes.

Some top riders of the past and present will compete. Alan Irwin, Jeremy McWilliams, Guy Martin (yes, you saw that right) Cody Nally and a number of other top men will take part in what is essentially a day for fun. The wind ups have already started on Facebook, with more than one threat issued. Ex BSB rider Cody Nally has said that his nerves are in shreds as the greatest day in his racing career approaches.

I pity the poor race commentator with team names being what they are. Crash Test Dummies; Team Tigger; Weady Steady Wacing; Galloping Geezers; Team Homebrew; Wacky Racers and Epic Failures are only some of the ones I can print! Reading down the list, theres a few that I can’t mention.

The race organisers are expecting something like 200 riders, with each team being allowed four. It’s hoped that the Le Mans start will take place at 10am and them it will be hard into the action. Hopefully I’ll have a few pictures for next week.

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