TT stars shine at awards evening
Monday 14 January 2008
TT
TT stars had a strong showing at the fifth annual Irish Racer Magazine Motorcycle Awards.
Outright lap record holder, and 13-times TT winner, John McGuinness, Ian Hutchinson, who took his first TT win at the Centenary festival, Manxman Conor Cummins and many more big names from the Mountain Circuit attended the star-studded ceremony.
Steve Plater, Ryan Farquhar, Ian Lougher and several other famous faces were spotted at the black tie event, held at the Ramada Hotel, Belfast, on Friday night.
The awards, hosted by BBC Northern Ireland’s Stephen Watson and Claire McCollum from UTV, bring together riders and teams from all the major motorcycling categories, including short circuits, road racing and dirt bikes.
Duke managing director Peter Duke was on hand to present the Geoff Duke Trophy to Cummins.
The youngster collected the trophy for winning the Duke Road Race Rankings.
He took the title despite a bid by Guy Martin to snatch the crown at the very last round of the road racing season.
Claiming the title was an incredible achievement as Cummins was in only his first full season of road racing in 2007.
Mr Duke, whose Isle of Man-based company produces the annual TT DVD reviews as well as many other racing DVDs and programmes, said:
‘I am really proud to be presenting the award this year to a Manx lad who has shown great form and has a great future ahead of him.’
He added he hoped the presentation of the trophy went some way to reinforcing the importance of road racing and said gatherings like the Irish Racer Magazine Motorcycle Awards were a fantastic way to celebrate the sport’s riders and special events.
Cummins said he was delighted to end a ‘great year’ by winning the Duke Road Race Rankings.
His success in 2007 has created high hopes he will score a victory at the TT in 2008.
However, although he is determined to win a TT, Cummins admitted it could take time.
He said:
‘Being a local lad it would be something special to do that. It just takes time, and I’m not going to rush it.’
Cummins was back on stage later to accept the National Road Racer of the Year Award from former boxer Dave McAuley.
The Manxman beat Farquhar, Ivan Linton and Michael, Robert and William Dunlop to the honour.
The International Road Racer of the Year Award was fought out among six big names from the TT. Plater secured third place, with Bruce Anstey second and McGuinness in first place.
McGuinness said he was ‘over the moon’ to receive the accolade and added:
‘It has been a fantastic year. It started off as usual, with no rides, but ended up with some great rides. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.’
It is still unclear what McGuinness will be riding at TT2008, but he told the 600-strong audience he will be on some ‘good stuff’ at the event.
Farquhar, Hutchinson and Martin were the other nominees for the International Road Racer of the Year Award.
Farquhar was also nominated for the Irish Motorcyclist of the Year, but was beaten to the prestigious honour by 2007 British Supersport Champion Michael Laverty.
Another name familiar to TT fans was a winner on the night – Relentless by TAS Suzuki took the Team of the Year Award.
Philip Neil was joined on stage by many team members to accept the award.
TT winner Eddie Laycock was another star guest, presenting the Services to Sport Award to renowned mechanic Tom O’Kane, crew chief to MotoGP star Chris Vermeulen.
For many the highlight of the evening was the presentation of the International Achievement Award to Guest of Honour Giacomo Agostini.
The remarkable career of multiple TT winner and World Champion Ago was recalled in a short film, and his on stage chat with Claire McCollum raised a few smiles!
Isle of Man Tourism and Leisure Minister Adrian Earnshaw, Department of Tourism and Leisure chief executive Carol Glover and other representatives of the DTL were on hand to discuss the TT with the big names of motorcycle racing.