Temple Motorcycle Club kicks off new season

LA Mon Hotel’s Ballygowan Suite was filled to capacity with familiar faces from across the Northern Ireland motorcycle racing world for the Temple Motorcycle and Athletic Club dinner.

Both veteran and developing riders came together for an evening of entertainment, camaraderie and celebration of the sport to kick off the 2026 motorcycle season.

Guests were welcomed by Temple club chairman Mark McBride, before the Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Amanda Grehan, addressed the audience. She spoke of her support for motorcycling and highlighted the work of her mayoral charities, Action Cancer and Breast Cancer, to which guests happily contributed donations.

Having enjoyed a four-course meal, guests settled back in their seats to indulge in the evening’s presentation of riders before the band took to the stage and the revellers to the dance floor.

The Temple club’s secretary, Mark Harrison, took the opportunity to interview some of the riders present, providing sneak peek plans for the upcoming race season and the club were honoured to hear from three generations of active racing members.

An award was presented to the Temple club’s youngest competing member, Louis Craig, for his outstanding achievement in the 2025 Irish and British Mini Bike series. The youngster represented the club, his family and team with an impressive second place in the Irish Championship and a third place position in British competition.

Accompanying Louis to collect the award was his proud grandfather Adrian Craig, a legendary road racer himself and president of the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland (MCUI). Ten year-old Louis is already making headlines in the minibikes with a promising future ahead of him, while some of those he stood shoulder to shoulder with on the night are already working their way through the ranks and enjoying global success.

The Temple club were delighted to welcome local rider Cameron Dawson who will be racing with Powerslide Motorcycles Suzuki for the 2026 British Sportsbike Championship. Cameron was joined by Temple member Tom Booth Amos of PTR Triumph Factory Racing Team 2026 World Supersport Championship and one of the Temple club’s most well known members, Jeremy McWilliams – universally recognised for his capacity to shine at every genre of motorcycle racing he turns his hand to. Jeremy will return to the Northwest 200 in 2026 and the Ulster Superbike Championship this coming season with Jason McCaw’s JMCC Roofing race team.

There are few motorcycle clubs who can boast such an array of talent among their ranks and the Temple club could not have been more proud to host a room full of racing legends. The club are equally honoured to have such an elevated standard of officials, members and volunteers in tarmac, off-road and behind the scenes. The combined race community are the reason evenings like these are so important to bring everyone together and build enthusiasm for the year ahead.

The Temple club wishes to thank everyone involved for making the evening such a success and hopes everyone has an exciting and safe 2026 season.