James Mackrel debut home lift over Belfast ‘good night’ on Arenacross Tour

Ballyclare’s Martin Barr saw his weekend end before racing began after a heavy crash during practice left him with rib injuries.

Despite the setback, Barr was discharged from hospital in time to watch his son, Martin Jr, compete and accepted “it’s motocross and these things happen...I’ll be back”.

Ballygowan’s Adam Donnelly also suffered serious injuries in practice after landing heavily over the start-finish jump, breaking both ankles and a wrist.

There were brighter moments on track, including Belfast’s James Mackrel making his debut outing aboard the Substance JPR KTM for sixth in the main event against elite opposition.

“Considering I haven’t ridden since October last year it was a good night,” said Mackrel. “I got off to a good start in race one and was running fifth before losing the front...a simple mistake, I felt good in the final but it’s still a learning curve.”

The ProAM class produced one of the highlights of the weekend as Seaforde’s Nathan Green and Omagh rider Lewis Spratt thrilled spectators while running first and second during the opening laps.

Green secured the holeshot aboard the GOMX Yamaha before Spratt powered his Jet Products Yamaha into the lead.

“I holeshotted my first ever Arenacross, which was an amazing feeling,” said Green. “Unfortunately, I tightened up after a tough first race and couldn’t breathe, but I’ll take the positives.”

Spratt, fifth overall across the first schedule, highlighted "I got to grips with the track fairly early...to get a top five was good”.

The second day proved more challenging for Spratt after being taken out in race one, leaving him 11th overall despite recovering to eighth in race two.

He added: “Now it’s on to the outdoor season which starts with the Irish Championship in a couple of weeks.”

Green also endured a tougher second night, finishing 13th overall and declared “I was happy just to bring it home in one piece”.

Eighteen-year-old Shropshire rider Louis Brookes secured the ProAM Championship with an unbeaten run.

In the youth ranks, six-year-old Londonderry rider Zack McCorkell narrowly missed the AX eMini podium by a single point after finishing fourth overall on the first outing before placing seventh across the second.

Bangor’s Noah Barr recorded ninth and 12fth overall finishes, while Belfast rider Zach Elliot secured 12fth and 10th.

Five-year-old Martin Barr Jr impressed during his Belfast debut, finishing 13th overall on both nights and explaining “I can’t wait until 2027”.

Elsewhere, Glenavy’s Mathew Kelly-Edwards finished 14th and 13th in the AX Super-mini class, while Castlederg schoolgirl Erin Deazley secured ninth and 10th aboard her KTM 65.

Scottish star Dean Wilson retained the AX Pro Championship with a dominant performance across both nights aboard the St Blazey Honda.

The popular Arenacross Tour is set to return to Belfast in 2027.