Voting for the “Adelaide Irish Motorcyclist of the Year” is underway!
Once again this prestigious award will be decided by bike fans who can choose their favourite rider of the season by voting online. The winner of the Adelaide award, in association with the Enkalon motorcycle club, will be presented with the famous Joey Dunlop trophy at a gala event in Belfast on January 17 next year.
Previous winner, former British Champion Adrian Coates, is the chairman of the judging panel and is assisting the event’s organisers oversee the public vote. He expects the result to be a very close call. Adrian said: “Our riders have excelled on the World, British and Irish stages, on the short circuits, the roads, and off road. That’s what makes this years vote such an intriguing one.
Last year hundreds of people registered their vote, and I am hoping for a similar response this time, as we want the winner to be a true reflection of what our motorcycle fans think. They’re a knowledgeable bunch and really know their stuff.”
He continued, “This is the award that every rider in Ireland wants to win. To be crowned the best in the country, and to be handed the iconic Joey trophy with the famous yellow helmet, on the biggest and best night for our sport is something very special”
Last year bike fans logged on in their hundreds to cast their vote, and can do so again by visiting the awards website: www.adelaidemotorcycleawards.com
Expecting Another Big Vote
Enkalon club chairman David Weir is expecting another big vote. He said, “We wanted to make it really easy for fans to pick their rider of the season, and whether that’s on the computer, mobile device, iphone, ipad or smart phone, we want as many people as possible to have their say. We will also make the vote available via the club facebook page”
Among the nominated road racers are the Dunlop brothers Michael and William. Michael won races at the Isle of Man TT, North West 200, and Ulster Grand Prix, while William was crowned the Irish 250GP champion. Jamie Hamilton was a double Irish Championship winner while Derek Sheils won the Irish superbike championship and the Adelaide Masters.
Alastair Seeley excelled on the roads and short circuits. He was a double North West 200 winner and finished runner up in the British Supersport championship taking seven race wins.
Also on the short circuit scene Eugene Laverty had a remarkable year. He was runner up to Tom Sykes in the World Superbike Championship following 9 race wins, while Eugene’s brother Michael enjoyed a debut year in MotoGP. Marty Nutt lifted the British Ducati TriOptions 848 challenge crown, while locally Nico Mawhinney won the Irish Superbike Championship.
Off Road Graeme Irwin excelled in the British MX2 Championship, and Gary Gibson capped a fine year as Irish and Ulster MX1 champion. There’s also one female rider on the short list – Natalie Kane who recorded her first ever wins in the World Championship.
In all more than a dozen other awards will be presented on the night.
The black tie event will once again be hosted by BBC’s Jackie Fullerton.
Anyone wishing to purchase tickets can email tickets@adelaidemotorcycleawards.com or phone 07584058810.
The full list of nominees is:
Martin Barr
Michael Dunlop
William Dunlop
Keith Farmer
Gary Gibson
David Haire
Jamie Hamilton
Glen Irwin
Graham Irwin
Lee Johnston
Natalie Kane
Jack Kennedy
Eugene Laverty
Michael Laverty
Nico Mawhinney
Glenn McCormick
Marty Nutt
Jonathan Rea
Andy Reid
Alastair Seeley
Derek Sheils
Michael Sweeney
www.adelaidemotorcycleawards.com
Speak Your Mind