Competitors travelled from across Ireland to take part in Temple Motorcycle & Athletic Club’s inaugural Sam McBride Memorial Motocross, with the stunning backdrop of the Mourne Mountains providing the setting for an evening of thrilling racing.
Held on a bright and breezy May evening, conditions were ideal at Miller Oils Laurelbank, where riders and spectators alike were treated to motocross at its finest. Event hosts Temple Motorcycle & Athletic Club were overwhelmed by the turnout and expressed their gratitude to the large number of supporters and spectators who attended.
The bluebell-lined approach to the circuit led to a start gate packed with some of Ireland’s most accomplished riders across every class. In Group A, Coleraine rider Lennox Dickinson secured overall victory with a dominant double win, although Seaforde’s Nathan Green pushed him hard throughout the evening. Niall Cregan and Jordan McCaw finished third and fourth respectively, while James Mackrel rounded out the top five aboard one of several Stark Varg electric motocross bikes competing on the night.
Group B featured an equally talented field, with Ahoghill’s Trevor Calderwood and Brian Bell among the early contenders for podium places. However, after James Wright won the opening race and James Milligan claimed victory in the second, consistency proved decisive. Saintfield rider Jordan McMullan’s pair of second-place finishes earned him the highest points tally and overall victory.
Mark Burns finished second overall after a strong performance throughout the evening, with Milligan taking third and Wright fourth. Temple rider Jack Shepherd completed the top five on home soil.
The demanding nature of the Miller Oils Laurelbank circuit was evident throughout the night, placing a premium on both skill and agility. That was particularly apparent in the Group C races, where Tom Wright delivered a flawless display to secure two race wins. Aaron Milligan finished second in both outings, while Ryan Donnelly completed the podium ahead of Cameron Young and Stuart Quinn.
The Evo class provided plenty of entertainment, with the distinctive sound of the machines echoing around the track. Saintfield’s Ben Kennedy emerged victorious after winning both races following close battles with Nathan Donnelly. Adam Donnelly finished third overall, while Adrian Lappin claimed honours in the Classic class.
The highlight of the evening was the inaugural Sam McBride Memorial Cup Race, which delivered a memorable contest and set a high standard for future editions. Dickinson eventually emerged victorious after an enthralling battle with Green that lasted almost seven laps.
The pair traded positions repeatedly, overtaking both through corners and in the air as they pushed themselves and their machines to the limit. Dickinson finally made the decisive move on lap eight to secure victory and become the first rider to have his name engraved on the Sam McBride Memorial Motocross Cup.
Green took second place, with Jordan McCaw completing the podium. David Anderson finished fourth, while local rider Ben Kennedy claimed fifth.
Group B competitor Brian Bell also impressed during the evening, spending considerable time among the front-runners in the opening race. A regular and welcome competitor at Temple events, Bell is the nephew of the late Brian Bell, whose renowned memorial race returns to the Miller Oils Laurelbank circuit on Wednesday, June 10.
Now firmly established on the motocross calendar, the Brian Bell Memorial is expected to attract another strong field. Temple Motorcycle & Athletic Club has hosted the event annually since Brian Bell’s untimely death in 1969 and remains proud to continue honouring his legacy.
Preparations are already well underway for this year’s event and, with the continued support of the Bell family, organisers expect another successful evening of racing. Larne rider Glenn McCormick claimed victory in 2025, but with a wealth of emerging talent coming through the ranks, the battle for this year’s title promises to be fiercely contested.
Temple Motorcycle & Athletic Club remains committed to supporting and developing motocross racing in Northern Ireland and is looking forward to another exciting evening of competition. Racing gets underway from 6pm, with admission priced at £5 and free entry for under-16s.
The club also extended its thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the inaugural Sam McBride Memorial Cup event, including competitors, spectators, volunteers, stewards, flag marshals, club members and support staff.
Special thanks were also paid to May Kincaid, the event officers and first-aid team, the timekeepers, Roy Neill and event sponsors Complete Fleet Solutions for their valued support.
