Crossgar meeting to discuss memorial for road racer Steenson

24 April 2019

PLANS to erect a memorial in Killyleagh in memory of road racer Brian Steenson will be discussed at an event in Crossgar this Friday evening.

The popular rider lost his life at the Isle of Man TT in 1970 and on Friday at the villages’s Corner Inn, motorsport enthusiasts meet to discuss the way forward. The event starts with a barbecue at 6pm with discussions on the new memorial due to start around 7pm.

Enthusiasts are keen to see their hero — who sadly died aged just 23 — formally remembered with a memorial in 2020 which marks the 50th anniversary of his death at the Nobles Hospital on the island following his crash.

Born on the Derryboy side of the Clea Lough outside Killyleagh, enthusiasts hope a new memorial can be erected to reflect the esteem in which experienced rider Steenson was held.

Alan Lyons, who is helping organise Friday night’s meeting, is pleased that a number of local politicians are supporting the new memorial project which could help attract more visitors to the town.

He admitted that while it is very early days, those behind the Steenson memorial want people to know what they are planning for a road racer he described as a “one of life’s gentlemen”.

Alan said the enthusiasts are determined to do whatever they can to erect something in Brian’s memory and are also committed to raising funds to help them realise their goal.

“None of the Steenson family are no longer alive and, given the memories Brian left us with and the person he was, we want to do something to remember him. What better way than via a memorial,” he said.

Alan added: “The consensus amongst our group is that a memorial for Brian should be sited in Killyleagh with Friday’s meeting an informal affair to hear what other people’s thoughts are regarding the planned memorial.”

Also as part of Friday’s event, Crossgar, Graham Ritchie will be displaying photographs and memorabilia of

Brian and it also hoped that Steenson’s Aermacchi racing machine, which he rode in the 1968 and 1969 season, will be on display.

Anyone would like to contact Alan is asked to do so via 07771 689871 or email alan-lyons@hotmail.co.uk.

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