Documentary to chronicle Killlyleagh legend Steenson

Documentary to chronicle Killlyleagh legend Steenson

16 October 2019

A DOCUMENTARY in memory of local racing hero Brian Steenson is planned for release early next year.

The tribute film’s release is timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Steenson’s death following a crash while competing at the Isle of Man TT races in 1970.

Steenson had a short but very successful career between 1968 and 1970 with rostrum places at the TT and top podium places in local road races across Ireland. All profits from the new DVD film will go to the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland charity.

The Steenson documentary is being put together by Colin James and Rowland White who recently made the tribute film to Tom Herron — who has close links with Newcastle —  entitled “Tom and Andrea — the racing years”. 

Colin and Rowland will also be releasing another film next month as a tribute to Frank Kennedy, one of the famous Armoy Armada which included road racers Robert and Joey Dunlop and Mervyn Robinson.

Colin is associated with Waldovision which has produced a number of motorcycle racing documentaries including “How the North West Was Won” and “Joey Dunlop Remembered” for the BBC. 

In addition, Colin also produced a film about legendary Irish motorcycle racer Stanley Woods for RTE. Woods has close links with Tyrella.

Rowland White is a sports photographer with a long history of motorcycle coverage including working for The Motor Cycle, Motor Cycling and other magazine publications who will be suppling the majority of the still pictures for the Brian Steenson documentary from his own archive.

Since retirement, Colin and Rowland both have been making films on DVD to help with fundraising for motorcycle related causes. To date, their Tom Herron film has raised £2,500 for charity.

Work on the Steenson documentary is well underway with Colin and Rowland asking anyone with a story to tell, photographs or memorabilia to contact them at cjij@icloud.com.

News of the new film comes after a group of local motorsport enthusiasts step up their bid to have two memorials erected in the road racer’s memory, one in Killyleagh and the other in Crossgar next year.

The enthusiasts are keen to erect a bronze plaque or sculpture mounted on a granite stone in front of Killyleagh Castle and a wall mural in Crossgar and hope to complete the work in the 50th anniversary of Steenson’s death.

Steenson’s relatives — some of whom are dotted across the globe including New Zealand and Canada – are also supportive of the plans to remember the road racer who died aged just 23.

Steenson died at the Nobles Hospital on the Isle of Man five days after his third lap crash crash competing on a Seeley 500cc machine in the Senior TT in 1970.

As part of the local group’s fundraising efforts to secure the cash required for the planned memorials, members of the highly acclaimed Dromara Destroyers motorcycle racers have agreed to attend a fundraising chat show in Crossgar.

The Dromara Destroyers include some of the finest road racers Northern Ireland has ever produced, namely Brian Reid, Ray McCullough, Trevor Steele and Ian McGregor.

Motorsport enthusiasts confirmed last week that they hope shortly be able to map out a timescale for the completion of the memorials.

Steenson was born on the Derryboy side of the Clea Lough outside Killyleagh, with the enthusiasts hoping that the tributes they are planning will reflect the esteem in which the experienced rider, described as “one of life’s gentlemen”, was held.

Those involved with the campaign also hope to secure private finance and the support of Newry, Mourne and Down Council. 

Last month, a vintage cavalcade was the latest fundraising event organised by the enthusiasts to raise the cash they require to make their dream of providing a new memorial and wall mural a reality.