Dundalk Motopark weekend

This weekend will see the Dundalk and District motocross club stage the fourth round of the Irish Motocross Championship at Dundalk Motopark, Kilcurry, which will mark the halfway point of this season’s championship chase. The halfway point is a critical moment in any title race and for those who enter the day as championship threats will determine whether or not they can establish themselves as contenders come the end of it.

The Norman Watt Motorcycles Kawasaki of Gordon Crockard leads the charge of the Premier Grade A class riders but due to British championship commitments, Crockard will be unable to take his place on the start line and defend his championship lead. His loss will be others gain and next in line to take advantage are TSR KTM’s Wayne Garrett who sits just 13-points adrift of Crockard. The Kilcurry circuit will no doubt evoke some bittersweet memories for Garrett, as it’s the site where he lost last year’s title defence in a thrilling final round showdown. But Sunday offers a chance for Garrett to set the world to right and a determined performance will put him back at the front of the championship standings. However the G&G Ross Yamaha of Robert Hamilton and the Watt Monster Energy Kawasaki of Thomas Merton jointly sit just six points behind Garrett. After almost a year on the sidelines due to injury, Hamilton has been a welcome return to the circuit and is quickly re-establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with having notched up five consecutive second place finishes. Hamilton will almost certainly be growing weary of second and will looking grab that first Irish championship race win in Dundalk. Merton is a constant threat for race wins no matter where he line up and currently riding with strong form aboard his 450f Kawasaki he’ll most definitely be in the midst of the action. It is the AJ Plumbing/Elite Bathroom’s duo of Jason Garrett and David Gorman who lead the pack of Premier Grade A MX2 riders with young Garrett stretching out a 13-point advantage over Gorman. Gorman is not one to play second fiddle and if he can grab a couple of the fast starts he is renowned for, the tables may turn.

Wayne Garrett (TSR KTM): “My season to date hasn’t quite gone to form. Following three solid results at the opening round, I struggled to find the right bike set up at round two, which hampered my day. The third round in Cork faired much better and I took a race win, which leaves me looking forward to Dundalk. I really like the circuit, it becomes tough and demanding as the day wears on and with some big jumps to contend with it usually results in tight racing. If I can get some good starts, I’m confident of putting in a good showing!”