Motor enthusiasts revved up at Crossgar memorial event

Motor enthusiasts revved up at Crossgar memorial event

4 September 2024

THE Brian Steenson Group held their sixth annual car and motorcycle cavalcade in Crossgar on Sunday.

This year the group were pleased to have the Crossgar Community Association supporting them which was very greatly appreciated.

The star attraction this year was Ray McCullough’s race bikes, while Trevor Lindsay borough along his Aermacchi, which is the machine Brian Steenson rode in his 1968 and 1969 Irish Championship-winning seasons.

The Ronnie Donnan Memorial Cup was awarded to Norman Johnson, from Newtownards, for his 1962 250cc Aermacchi, which was judged the most interesting road motorcycle. The J N Brown Memorial Cup was awarded to Ray McCullough for his 1969 250cc Harley Davidson, which was judged the most interesting competition motorcycle.

As the cavalcade made its way to Shrigley, Killyleagh and Downpatrick there were large groups of spectators alone the route viewing and taking photographs of the cars and motorcycles.

The group was grateful to have the voice of Irish motorcycle sport, Roy Neill, as their compere for the day.

Roy has been the commentator at this event since it was first ran in 2019 and his amazing wealth of knowledge about motorcycle sports along with his running commentary, makes it  so interesting.

Over the years Roy has interviewed most of the motorcycle greats. Before getting behind the microphone, Roy raced off road and was quite a talent, winning the Six Mile Irish Grass Track Championship in the Seventies.

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

They would also like to thank the local business people who donated prizes for the charity raffle draw, everyone who attended and their local people for their support in making it such a successful event.

The total amount raised was over £1,800, which will be donated to Life Change, Changes Lives, based in Market Street, Downpatrick, which supports those affected by mental health, addiction and social isolation.