Tarmac racing resumes after long wait with Irish Mini Bike Championship action at Nutts Corner

There were many rules and restrictions in place and no spectators in attendance, but there was some fantastic racing on display.

The Irish Mini Bike championship provides the stars of the future a platform to hone their skills before making the move into adult short circuit racing and is the way forward for motorcycle racing in Ireland.

Over one hundred riders entered the meeting and although there are no age restrictions, all eyes are on the kids who put on a fantastic display of high-speed action in the BamBam and Mini GP classes, where hopefully the next Jonathan Rea might emerge.

There is a determination on their faces well beyond their young age as they sit on the start line waiting for the flag to drop and when it does, there is no quarter asked or given as they push themselves and their little racing bikes to the limit.

Many base themselves on their heroes Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo, wearing replica helmets and the same race numbers as the GP stars they dream of becoming some day.

Who knows it might just come true for some of them.

If round one is anything to go by the future is looking bright for racing here.

In the entry level VW Bitz Bam Bam class eight year-old Ballyclare rider Buster Sherman-Boyd was unstoppable, winning all three races.

Armoy’s Leon Scott was the best of the newcomers finishing fourth overall but Alfie Flynn, Jake Johnston, Sam Lyons, Beau McCrory, Leigha-Jane Browne and Ryan Glasgow all said they enjoyed their first race meeting and will be back. 

Buster’s brother 11-year-old Ruben was on fire in the WJ Scarlett and Son Junior Mini GP taking his machine to a perfect three-timer on his BUCCI BR12 140cc machine with Brian Hamilton and Finnan Wherity completing the top three.

The Ballyclare boy also wrapped up the Irish Motorbike Show Junior Elite 4-stroke class with another treble while Moneymore’s Jack Ferris took his KTM to overall victory in the 2-stroke class.

Rising prospect 11-year-old Finnan Wherity dominated the Road Racing Ireland Junior gearbox races with three wins from three starts ahead of Belfast boy Bailey Dobson.

Kelan Smith had three wins in the Hillhead Sheds supported Stock 140cc veteran class, beating Nigel Robinson in to second. Ballymena man and Mondello Masters Supersport 600 Champion Luke Johnston has a tough day at the office in the Eurol Lubricants Ireland Group 1 of The Stock 140cc Class.

After taking the honours in the opening race from Gareth Morrell - who took the overall win by the end of the day - and James Thompson, he had two DNFs in the last two races when rookie 14-year-old IMC Youth Ambassador Lee Hara, gave his more experienced competitors a surprise by taking the flag in the final two races.

The David Beattie Memorial senior open races had big entries and fantastic racing.

At the end of the day it was Lisburn’s Kyle Cross who took the honours after some terrific battles in his three races.

Chris McKay took the top step of the podium in the Martha Beatty stock 140 class.

The second round is now set to take place at Athboy Karting Centre, Co. Meath on Saturday, August 8.