Not-so-happy homecoming for Josh

Editorial Department • Published 22 Oct 2009 10:00 0 Comments

Share this

Mechanical problems on what was potentially the "most powerful bike I've ever ridden" put a premature end to 15-year-old Ballinamallard motorcycle racer, Josh Elliott's bid for a morale boosting vicotry on home soil at the weekend.

Mentor and team mate, ex Grand Prix star Jeremy McWilliams had arranged a ride on an IFS Global Logistics Yamaha 600 machine through team boss Graeme Hanna. This was a superb opportunity on a very high specification machine and the Fermanagh lad was delighted, as it was much too expensive to bring his usual team all the way from Germany to compete.

A test on this machine some weeks back at Kirkistown, Co Down had left rider and team buoyant, as his times were very competitive given the short track time available.

After first qualifying at Bishopscourt, however, it was clear that Josh was suffering handling issues and changes were made to try and rectify the problems.

In beautiful weather conditions Elliott fought to better his times in final qualifying, but in the 20 minute session could not get the bike to handle to his liking.

Substantial changes were made overnight to the geometry of the bike and it was hoped that a better felling would be found during morning warm up. On starting up the engine things took a turn for the worse, as an engine noise indicated a mechanical failure of some sort, possibly in the gearbox.

On safety grounds the team rightly called an end to Josh's participation but despite his disappointment the 5th year Portora student had this to say afterwards. "It's just one of these things in racing I guess. Problems and mechanical things are always going to happen. It was very good of Graeme Hanna to give me a run on his R6 Yamaha and it's the most powerful bike I've ever ridden. I'd have loved to get a good result here for the team and for a lot of local support who travelled up. There are a few Fermanagh riders here this weekend and despite my own disappointment I am so happy for Lee Johnston for winning a 600 race. He rode brilliantly in the wet conditions and deserved that, so well done Lee! I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped me this year."

Plans to end the season at the last two rounds of the Spanish championship in November are unsure, due to the lack of a competitive engine for that series, but attempts are being made to either obtain an engine or get the use of a more competitive machine.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 22 Oct 09

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.