Exciting action in store as championship hots up
■ Neil Thompson (21) leads Tommy Merton (2).
ON SUNDAY, August 8, round six of the eight round Irish Motocross Championship comes to Ferns Motocross Park, just outside Ferns in Co. Wexford. Now that we are in the second half of the series we see the championship points race start to intensify. Since 1997 the circuit in the historic town has played host to some memorable events. Ferns is now ranked as one of the top tracks in the country, which is in no small part due to the hard work of the South East Motocross Club.
The circuit is littered with huge jumps and fast corners, and provides excellent spectator vantage points that bring you up close to the action.
This year promises as much excitement as ever. 2010 has been a year that has seen a new generation of young riders come to the fore along with a few former champions finding form again.
In the Premier MX1 class (450cc machines) Tommy Merton from Comber in Northern Ireland leads the series aboard his WATT Kawasaki with 308 points but breathing down his neck is his northern compatriot Robert Hamilton lying just five points back.
The growing rivalry between these two should lead to some exciting racing as we hit the home stretch in the championship. Gordon Crockard and Kildare's Ross Brown lie in third and fourth respectively but with Crockard away competing in the British series this weekend, Brown will be looking to capitalise.
In the Premier MX2 class (250cc machines) it's Jason Garrett and David Gorman who are fighting it out for first and second with 17 points now separating them. Gary Gibson is not far back in third but Gibson loves racing Ferns. The hard packed terrain tends to suit the youngster so expect him to be pushing for the top spot on the podium.
Brittas teenager Michael Mahon, riding for the VMX KTM team, is having a good year and holds down fourth spot. Other local talent on show will be Camolin's Jim O'Neill. The Suzuki rider has slipped back to 17th place having missed the last two rounds but racing in his home county should reignite the 17-year-old.
Having finished inside the top ten on a few occasions O'Neill should be more than capable of repeating this in Ferns.
Aside from the Premier classes there will be a full programme of support races which will make for a great days entertainment.
Racing will start at 11.00 a.m. on Sunday; the track is signposted from the main street (N11) in Ferns. Admission is only €5 with children under 12 getting in free.
