Riders warm up for new season at test day

This Saturday, Bishopscourt will host their start of season test day, writes Roy Adams.
Jamie Masterson getting well into one of his stints on his 90cc modified bike.Jamie Masterson getting well into one of his stints on his 90cc modified bike.
Jamie Masterson getting well into one of his stints on his 90cc modified bike.

From what I hear, the grids are full almost to capacity as riders try to get a few miles on their machines before the race season starts in the North over the Easter weekend.

The track opens this Saturday at 7.30am, while the bikes will take to the circuit from 9.30am.

Hopefully, I’ll have a few photos from the tests in next weeks paper.

I say yet again that anybody from the Ballymena/Antrim area who plans to race this year, give me a shout. It’s not always easy to find out any other way.

It means I can keep an eye on you and maybe get a mention and a photo in the paper sometime during the season. None of that does any harm when it comes to seeking sponsorship.

KIRKISTOWN RACE SCHOOL

I missed out on last weekends MCUI training school in order to attend Mondello Park for the Nifty Fifty races.

From what I understand, the weather wasn’t too impressive. The final school takes place this weekend, again at Kirkistown, where the decision will be made whether or not the trainees will be given their licences.

NIFTY FIFTY RACES

Ed Manly’s team, Manly Racing, running in the 90cc standard class, won the annual Nifty Fifty races at a cold Mondello Park last Sunday.

With James Kelly taking the lead right from the first corner, they completed 153 laps of the National circuit at Mondello in just over four hours.

Ed’s team – which consisted of himself, Cody Nally, who was awarded the trophy for the fastest lap of the day and James Kelly – had Guy Martin at the start of practice, but he headed for the airport shortly after practice ended.

Just five laps down was the Waterford Honda team, which boasted of former Irish title holder Hilton Hincks. They were pressed hard by Moto Service, who were just a lap back at the end.

In the 90cc modified category it was a closer thing, with the Bikeworld team completing 143 laps and winning by a single lap from Action Medical 2.

A Fish called Honda were third on 136 laps. The closest finish of the day was in the 50 to 80cc standard class, which went to Epic Failure on 139 laps. A misfire inside the last half hour dropped Brian Coomeys team, Team Cider to second place missing out on their third consecutive win by just 7.3 seconds. Wackyracers were third , four laps down.

It was a great day’s fun, with the riders nominated charities benefiting. There were other awards, but I doubt that the Times would allow me to print what they were called, who won them and why. Enough to say that they had to do with cheating and casting doubt on their parentage.

Special mention to the two female teams taking part. Selena, Helena, Emily and Emma made up Slow and Steady. They rode in the 90cc standard class, completing 126 laps and finishing in 35th place overall, 24th in their class.

The other ladies team was made up of members of MMA, the Mondello Marshals Association, who drafted in Superbike racer Suzanne Douglas for the day.

Sue, with Clodagh, Aisling and Lisa, better known as Weady Steady Wacing, finished in 44th place overall. They completed 100 laps. Taking 24th in the 90cc standard class, the girls pipped Honda Shades of Grey by just .1 of a second.

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