2010 Newsletter - #1
A very warm welcome to you all from the committee of the Two Stroke Racing Supporters Club, albeit late due to one problem or another we are finally getting kick started for 2010. This year the committee will remain the same, although I can’t say the same for our aims, as of previous years we supported most clubs by giving them €600.00, towards their prize fund for the 250 class which guaranteed the prize fund at some €1,600. Sadly this year due to the economic climate we are sad to say we are not in a position to do this, this year we will be running 3 road race championships within the club 125, 250 and the mini July series. The 125 and 250 championship’s will pay down to 10th place, as for the mini July we will hopefully paying out to the top 6. 1st 2nd and 3rd will receive awards as in previous years.
The reason that has brought this change around is the current economic climate. Our membership booklet has suffered badly this year, due to the lack of advertisers; this has been a big blow to the club as our booklet was a big source of income to our funds. Sadly this year we can’t guarantee the clubs the sponsorship of previous years due to the above; hence the 3 internal club championships were the final prize money will be decided at a later stage in the season.
We still think that there will be full grids as of previous years, as all national races will count towards championship points, including 2 rounds at the Southern 100 and the Ulster Grand Prix. All riders will have to be members to score points, no exceptions will be made. We usually allow up to Tandragee to register, but with the race not running this year we will accept riders memberships up to the Bush Road Race weekend, after that you will only receive points as and from when you join the club, no exceptions will be made.
The Prize money will be announced shortly, and we will endeavour to notify every paid up member. This will apply also the 125 championship, and the mini July series, so riders get your membership returned ASAP.
Last year we saw some great races, through the season, again the 125s was Dunlop domination as of 2008 with William, Michael and Sam sharing the spoils. The 250 class again was a Dunlop domination with Barry Davidson been the thorn in there sides, albeit it may have been a different story due to the untimely and tragic deaths of up and coming rider Mark Young, and seasoned campaigner Andrew Neill, (tribute in the news letter), both were in contention in both championships at there untimely deaths.
The membership booklet will be as of our usual standards, although smaller than of previous years due to the lack of adverts as mentioned earlier. Unfortunately we have lost some of our faithful sponsors and we have some interesting articles from Paul Gartland, Garry Dickinson and other riders, so there will be plenty of reading, along with the full race calendar, the membership secretary remains the same so please send your returned membership back as soon as possible, there is no price increase in the membership at £10.00/€15.00.
We now have a new web site up and running at two-stroke-racing-supporters club, hosted by Mago and Angela at www.irishroadracers.com, we are grateful to them both for all there hard work involved in this, and we will endeavour to keep this updated as much as possible.
Mark Young.
Sadly the club were dealt a tragic blow at the North West 200 in May, when Mark had a tragic accident at Mather’s Cross, during the 250 race, Mark had been leading the 2nd group when the tragic accident occurred. My personal memories of Mark remain with me, a gentle quiet spoken lad, always helping others when asked never passing me in the paddock, always that cheeky childish grin greeted me, no matter where we met. Mark was gifted in the knowledge of 2 strokes, always able to sort out problems, he thoroughly enjoyed the tinkering that went with the 2 strokes, and in my mind was deemed to go further and await the great things in our sport. To the Young family, we send our deepest sympathies, to the Maguire family especially his girlfriend Tara to his sponsor D & G Wray our sincere condolences.
Andrew Neill.
Sadly our beloved sport was dealt another blow at the Walderstown Road Races, in July when the likable Andrew Neill lost his life in another tragic accident. Andy was involved in an accident which claimed his life on that fateful day, again our sport was devastated at this loss, Andy had returned from the TT races, in June with great results on board the Moira club’s 600, he was having a brilliant season on board the D & G Wray 125 and 250 machinery, Andrew was another one of the paddock lads always a warm welcome and time for a chat, never passing without saying hello, to his wife Sharon, and the Neil family, to brother in law Timmy Turtle, and the D & G Wray racing team our deepest condolences.
D & G Wray Racing Team.
Our heart felt thoughts go out to Derek and the Wray racing team, who had been dealt a double blow with the tragic loss of 2 riders, only to suffer a tragic third blow to the team, with the loss of team mechanic Robert (Hutchie) Hutchinson, in a road accident near his home. To lose one rider is tragic, but to lose two and a team mechanic is such a tragedy, on behalf of the members and committee our sincere condolences to all the team. Gladly Derek and Wray transport are staying in our sport in 2010, without sponsors like this our sport would go into decline.
Well that about wraps up this news letter, we will be holding our usual after race Skerries Party get together some were in the area as the Yacht Bar is still closed, we will let you know where we will be meeting up and hope to see as many of you as possible.
Finally can we wish everyone involved in our sport, the clubs, medical, and marshal’s a safe season in 2010.
