Glenn McCormick's name appears on the Brian Bell Memorial Trophy for a second time
“It’s great to get my name on such a historic motocross trophy for the second time,” were the words of Glenoe rider Glenn McCormick after lifting the prestigious Brian Bell Memorial Trophy at Laurel Bank.
The Chambers KTM rider produced a dominant performance in the eight-lap feature race, grabbing the holeshot and leading Nathan Green, Niall Cregan, Jordan McCaw and Scott Hamilton at the end of the opening lap.
McCormick steadily extended his advantage before taking the chequered flag more than five seconds clear of Green on the GOMX Yamaha, successfully defending the Brian Bell Memorial title and capping a superb evening of racing at the Temple Club event.
Earlier in the programme, McCormick had recorded two race victories and a runner-up finish from the three qualifying races.
Race one saw Moira rider Hamilton lead the opening laps before McCormick took control to claim victory ahead of the fastest rider in practice, Green, with Cregan third and Hamilton fourth.
Ballymoney rider McCaw enjoyed a flying start in race two aboard his GasGas, finishing almost two seconds ahead of McCormick, while Cregan completed the top three.
Race three looked set to go the way of Seaforde’s Green, who led from the gate and remained in front until the final corner of the last lap. However, a late fall handed McCormick his second victory of the night. Green quickly remounted to salvage second place, with Cregan third and McCaw fourth.
Reflecting on his success, McCormick said: “It was a great night’s racing, but it is always tough getting the better of the 450s on a 250, especially over short races.
"It was great fun, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. In the Brian Bell, I just got my head down from the start, opened a gap and managed the race.”
The victory marked McCormick’s second consecutive Brian Bell Memorial triumph, further cementing his name alongside the winners of one of Northern Ireland’s most historic motocross trophies.
Meanwhile, Clonroche hosted the second round of the Irish motocross championship, with local riders delivering strong performances.
In the Pro MX1 class, Seaforde’s Nathan Green, riding the GOMX Yamaha, claimed overall honours after two wins and a second place, finishing behind Niall Cregan
In the opening race, Cregan was second in races two and three, while Ballymoney’s Jordan McCaw secured three third places to finish third overall.
“Race one was a bit dramatic,” said Green. “I hit the start gate and had to fight my way through from dead last to second.
“In races two and three, Niall led from the start, but I managed to find a way past by the halfway stage to go on and win, closing the gap in the championship. It was a good day’s racing in very windy conditions.
In MX2, Alfie Herron ran out the overall winner with two seconds and a victory in race three, adding to his previous day’s Youth 125 overall.
Stephen Bailie won the MX1 Grade ‘B’ overall, while Kole Nally was the MX2 Grade ‘B’ overall winner.
Loanends rider Bradley Thompson, who is 11-years-old, achieved the double in round 2 of the S/W 85 Irish Youth Championship, racing his JR Fluid Husqvarna to overall victory with two wins, ahead of Oisin O’Callaghan and Jack McGrath. Bradley’s younger brother, Isaac, finished third overall in the 65 class, behind John Jackson and Calvin Larkin.