Motocross grand prix of Northern Ireland
11.00am, 9th August
Moneyglass, Demesne
Rea, Barr and Simpson give Moneyglass Demesne its first test
FIM Motocross World Championship riders Martin Barr of team Dixon Bike IT and Team Wulfsport Kawasaki’s Shaun Simpson were today at Moneyglass Demesne, venue for the FIM Motocross World Championship Grand Prix of Northern Ireland and the Motocross of Nations 2008 for a pre event practice session ahead of next weekend’s world round. They joined British Superbike Championship title contender and ex junior motocross champion Jonathan Rea in their appraisal of the track.
Martin Barr;
‘Moneyglass Demesne really is something special. The guys have put a lot of hard work into creating a top class track and they’ve really pulled it off; I just can’t wait to race round it alongside 30 other riders. There are some huge jumps and spectators will see the best of the riders on offer because it’s a very challenging course.’
Barr continued
‘It’s been a competitive season for me so far and it’s always great to ride your home grand prix. Unfortunately with Gordon’s injury there will be less of us flying the NI flag but I’m hoping the crowds will get behind me and that I can get a great result.’
Shaun Simpson
‘I like the track. It’s got some big jumps, there’s no doubt about that but I’m looking forward to getting out on the track on race day and putting it all out there. With Team Wulfsport, Northern Ireland is my second home really and this is definitely my home GP so I’ll be pulling out all the stops. I’ve had a bit of bad luck recently with the injury but things are improving every day and I’m set to be 100% come the GP.’
Whilst Barr and Simpson were on site today British Superbike Championship contender and HM Plant Factory Team Honda rider Jonathan Rea, who, like Barr hails from Ballyclare, was at the track earlier in the week to put it through its paces. ‘JR’ resumes his chase for the British Superbike Championship this weekend at Croft in England. He currently lies second in the championship.
Jonathan Rea;
‘I first got into motocross when my grandfather bought me a little Italjet when I was two years old. I loved that bike and my motocross interest just grew from there. I ended up becoming a junior motocross champion and it will always be something I love doing. The switch to road bikes came through a simple change of fortune but I could just as easily have been out there with the guys today.’
Rea continued;
‘I was out competing in Japan in Superbikes when the Motocross World Championship was there and I went along to see Gordy and Martin in action. It’s really something to see and I’m sure the thousands of spectators will really enjoy the racing. I can’t wait to be there myself.’
‘Events like this are very important for Northern Ireland as they bring a lot of people and a lot of TV coverage. With the Motocross Des Nations set to be here in 2008 it’s just good news for Northern Ireland.’
Last year’s GP of Northern Ireland was a tremendous success with over 18,000 spectators watching Coppins stop Everts claiming his 100th GP win. Although Stefan Everts has retired from racing the championship is set to be just as exciting, with Moneyglass playing a major role in deciding the overall winner due to current leader Josh Coppins’ recent injury allowing Steve Ramon to close the gap. Currently there are only 43 points between the riders heading into the next championship round at Moneyglass.
Northern Ireland Events Company Acting Chief Executive, Jasper Perry said;
‘The Motocross Grand Prix is a tremendous event for Northern Ireland. Over 45 million people watched what was widely recognised as the best race of the 2006 calendar at Desertmartin and we hope to reproduce that success at Moneyglass and with the Motocross of Nations set to be here in 2008, an event that will be broadcast to over 680 million people, Northern Ireland really will be showcased on the world stage. I would like to thank Antrim Borough Council, P&O Irish Sea, the M.C.U.I and LT Wright and Son for their support in bringing this event together.’
Antrim Borough Council, a key stakeholder and funder in the event is also delighted to be involved.
Councillor Stephen Nicholl, Chairman of Antrim Borough Council’s Development and Leisure Committee said;
“Antrim is pleased to be the host Borough to this prestigious World Class event. The Event will attract many thousands from across the globe show casing both the Borough of Antrim and the whole of Northern Ireland.’
Councillor Nicholl continued:
“With its central location, ease of access and all facilities on one site, it makes Moneyglass Demesne, Toomebridge an ideal venue for events of this calibre. I have no doubt that the new purpose built track will prove a challenge for the world’s top riders and a spectacular venue for motocross enthusiasts.”
Moneyglass Demesne totals over 350 acres of prime land perfectly suited to staging the greatest motocross race on earth. The track 1690 metres and promises to be a fast and exciting venue for the world’s best motocross riders and the natural amphitheatre offers a wide range of safe and comfortable viewing points for spectators.
Ticket prices for the Motocross Grand Prix of Northern Ireland make the Moneyglass round the cheapest GP in the UK, undercutting Donington’s British GP with a cost of £30 for a weekend pass (Saturday and Sunday) or £20 for a day pass while under 14s are permitted free entry when accompanied by an adult. Camping is priced at £40 for a weekend pitch for a motor home or £10 per person for tents. All tickets are available in advance by visiting www.nievents.co.uk or at the venue on the day. Improvements for 2007 include a designated family campsite and a kids’ area.
The Motocross Grand Prix of Northern Ireland is supported by The Northern Ireland Events Company, Antrim Borough Council, P and O Irish Sea, and the Motorcycle Union of Ireland (M.C.U.I.)
Grand Prix of Northern Ireland media release
In just under 8 weeks the World Championship Motocross Grand Prix of Northern Ireland will be hosted at Moneyglass Demesne, Ireland’s newest motocross track. Preparations are well under way at the site which will not only welcome the Motocross Grand Prix of Northern Ireland on 18th & 19th August 2007 but also the world’s largest and most prestigious motocross race, the Motocross of Nations, in September 2008.
The track for the 13th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship totals 1690 metres and promises to be a fast and exciting venue for the world’s best motocross riders, while the natural amphitheatre offers a wide range of safe and comfortable viewing points for spectators. Youthstream, the rights holders for the FIM Motocross World Championship and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the governing body responsible for the event visited the track recently to give their approval and observe how the track had progressed. A representative from the FIM International Medical Panel joined Dave Nicol, Race Director, and Youthstream Track Manager, Greg Atkins, in the appraisal of the track.
Greg Atkins, Youthstream Track Manager commented,
"Moneyglass Demesne is a great venue for the FIM Motocross World Championship and the FIM Motocross of Nations. On behalf of Youthstream I can say we're delighted with the work that has gone into bringing the track together and providing a first class motocross facility. With its current layout there is greater capacity for spectators with more viewing points while the track design ensures top class racing. It’s particularly good news to have all facilities together so that riders, spectators, officials and campers can all be safely accommodated on one large piece of land close to major transport links."
Jasper Perry, Acting Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Events Company, the organisation responsible for promoting and delivering both the Motocross Grand Prix of Northern Ireland and the Motocross of Nations in 2008 said,
‘We are delighted with the feedback Youthstream and the FIM gave us. Moneyglass Demesne offers facilities that nowhere else in Northern Ireland could provide, being situated close to major transport links, hotels and accommodation while the site offers an unparalleled amount of land and access available for organisers, spectators and campers. Youthstream were happy with the progress and planning in place, while the FIM medical visit offered good advice to make the track as safe as possible.’
Mr Perry Continued,
‘The Motocross Grand Prix of Northern Ireland is a great promotional tool for Northern Ireland and fills a key role in the Northern Ireland Events Company’s Major Events Strategy. In 2006 the Motocross Grand Prix of Northern Ireland was watched by a total cumulative audience of over 45 million people from countries throughout the world including North America and Western Europe as well as Australasia, Africa, The Middle East and Russia. Northern Ireland was showcased on a truly world stage.’
Ticket prices for the Motocross Grand Prix of Northern Ireland are competitively priced at £30 for a weekend pass (Saturday and Sunday) or £20 for a day pass while under 14s are permitted free entry when accompanied by an adult. Camping is priced at £40 for a weekend pitch for a motor home or £10 per person for tents. All tickets are available in advance by visiting www.nievents.co.uk or at the venue on the day.
The Motocross Grand Prix of Northern Ireland is supported by The Northern Ireland Events Company, Antrim Borough Council, P and O Irish Sea, and the Motorcycle Union of Ireland (M.C.U.I.)
For further information or media accreditation please contact;
Peter Thompson
Marketing Manager
Northern Ireland Events Company
Redwood House
66 Newforge Lane
Belfast
BT9 5NW
T. +44 (0) 28 9066 6661
F. +44 (0) 28 9066 8040
M. +44 (0) 78 8418 1810
W. www.nievents.co.uk
