Event success despite downpour

Event success despite downpour

10 September 2025

THE annual Crossgar car and motorcycle cavalcade organised by the Brian Steenson Group has raised £1,500 for the Marie Curie Hospice.

Now in its seventh year, Sunday’s event was supported by the Crossgar Community Association with the wet weather failing to dampen the enthusiasm of the participants and spectators who supported the event.

Unfortunately, due to Sunday’s heavy rain, some of the roads on the route were flooded and the run was cancelled for health and safety reasons, with the main focus on the village’s Corner Inn.

The star attraction at the weekend was Ray McCullough’s QUB race bikes which were on display, while Trevor Lindsay had Steenson’s Aermacchi on display which is the machine Brian rode in the 1968/1969 seasons to win the Irish championships. 

The Ronnie Donnan Memorial Cup was awarded to Paul Kelly from Drumaness for his 350cc Twin Triumph / Honda machine which was judged the most interesting road motorcycle.

And the J N  Brown Memorial Cup was awarded to Trevor Marsden from Ballycarry outside Carrickfergus for his 500cc Manx Norton which was judged the most interesting competition motorcycle.

The Brian Steenson Group is very grateful to have the voice of Irish motorcycle sport Roy Neill as their compere at this event. 

Roy has been the commentator at the event since it first ran in 2019 and his amazing wealth of knowledge about motorcycle sport with his running commentary making the event so interesting. Over the years, Roy has interviewed most of the motorcycle greats, but before getting behind to microphone, in his younger days, he raced off-road bikes and was quite a talent, winning the Six Mile Irish Grass Track Championship in the seventies.

The Brian Steenson Group would like to thank Declan and Briege McGonagle owners of the Corner Inn for providing tea and sandwiches which were served all day.

And the group would also like to thank all the local business people who donated prizes for the charity raffle draw and everyone for attending the event and making it a great day to remember. The Group also extended its thanks to local neighbours for all their support in making Sunday a very successful event.