Tungstone Tommy Stewart Scramble
Knock Motorcycle & Car Club Ltd.
Sat 14th August 99
The Knock Motorcycle Club promoted the Tommy Stewart Scramble incorporating the sixth round of the Ulster Motocross Championships in slick fashion in front of the biggest crowd seen at the event for many a year on Saturday.
The 50th Anniversary of this prestigious event could not have been better staged managed when Gordon Crockard lifted the Tungstone Tommy Stewart Trophy by virtue of winning the third leg by just over 1 second from Rob Herring. Crockard and Herring tied on 81 points each after three action packed races but Crockard got the verdict with his final race win. Neil Prince Crockard's CAS teammate finished 3rd overall with 69pts.
The first A.J.Plumbing Championship races saw local competitors Adam Lyons, Trevor Cubitt and Gordon Crockard all in trouble on the first lap through a series of incidents. This left the action at the front to Neil Prince, Philip McCullough, Brian Steele and Dubliner David Coates. Prince took charge after McCullough stalled his 380 KTM on the 5th lap and looked set for the race win, but on the last lap a slip by Prince saw Brian Steele record a surprise win. Rob Herring made a tremendous charge through the field after a poor start to finish second, David Coates was third. Neil Prince recovered to claim fourth and Gordon Crockard who was last but one on the opening lap finished fifth with English visitor Paul Coward completing the top six.
Philip McCullough raced off the line to lead the second race chased by Trevor Cubitt, Rob Herring, Gordon Crockard, and Neil Prince, with a heavy rain shower making the Bell’s Hill Circuit a very slippery. Philip McCullough dropped to fifth and Gordon Crockard moved to the front. With just two laps to go Rob Herring riding a 250 Honda was closing in on Crockard. At the flag however, Gordon Crockard held on for the race win. Rob Herring was second and Trevor Cubitt third. Neil Prince, Philip McCullough and Adam Lyons filled the second race leader board positions.
The third and final race could only be described as fantastic, Gordon Crockard had to win the race to win the Tommy Stewart Trophy, nothing less would do. It was however Philip McCullough who charged up the big hill first, hounded by Gordon Crockard, Herring, Prince and Cubitt. By the end of the first lap Crockard was though to the front and not long after Herring moved to second. The large crowd was spell bound watching the race unfold. The gap between Crockard and Herring was closing all the time and going into the last two laps only 2 seconds separated the pair. Could Crockard hold on for the win? With one lap to go the gap was 1.6 seconds and as Crockard appeared into the main field with 2 corners and the long up hill finish straight to go only a second separated him from Herring. At the flag Crockard won by a whisker from Rob Herring, Philip McCullough was third. What a race the two Grand Prix competitors turned in to complete a great day of motocross action.
In the Enkalon Semi-Expert class races it was Carl Wright, Ciaran Lawless Barry Steenson and Gareth White who provided the action. Carl Wright won the first race, Gareth White the second and championship leader Barry Steenson the third. Carl Wright picked up the Oscar Henderson Trophy for the overall win and Steenson extended his series lead.
The Russell’s M/C Support championship races saw wins for Gary Bishop & Michael Beattie with Gareth Knox and Alan McCully being the main contenders in both races. Young Michael Beattie picked up the Stronge Trophy for the overall result while extending his championship lead to 50 points over Peter O’Neill.
Written by Roy Neill