By Rowland White
The Carrowdore Motorcycle Show this weekend will pay tribute to two riders killed in the same crash in Italy in 1973.
Legendary Italian motorcyclist Renzo ‘Paso’ Pasolini started and ended his career on Aermacchi machinery but in the years 1967-1970 he joined up again with the famous Benelli works team.
Paso never won a world championship but finished second and third on several occasions and was beloved for his fearless and passionate riding style and iconic horn-rimmed glasses, opting to never wear a full face helmet.
Billy Keenan, a local Classic enthusiast, owns a 250cc Renzo Benelli replica which is due to appear at the show on Saturday, September 20. The sound of this machine is amazing, reminiscent of the four-cylinder Italian machines of days gone by.
Additionally, Dwyne McCracken plans to bring along a 500cc Benelli which was made as a tribute to Finnish riding legend, Jarno Saarinen, who was tragically killed in the same crash as Pasolini, at the Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in May 1973.
The show, with proceeds going to Air Ambulance NI and the Mental Health Motorbike charity, takes place at Carrowdore Presbyterian Church Hall and grounds this Saturday from 10.00am until 4.00pm, with a two-lap run of the last used Carrowdore 100 circuit starting at 3.30pm.
The Vintage Motor Cycle Club Northern Ireland Branch will be hosting the run. It’s set to be day rekindling memories of the last Carrowdore 100 race which took place 25 years ago. A host of very interesting machinery is lined up for display and many racing personalities should be in attendance.
Admission to the event is £5 and Under-16s go free.
