Motorcycling racing returned to Mondello Park for the first time since September 2022 this weekend.
Last year, the sport’s governing body Motorcycling Ireland, was unable to put the necessary insurance in place to allow the sport to go ahead.
After over a year of behind-the-scenes work, Motorcycling Ireland was able to secure insurance for short-circuit racing in 2024 but road racing remains uncovered for the time being.
With the insurance crisis averted, it allowed the promoters of the Dunlop Masters National Motorcycle Racing Championship season to plan for this season and a full calendar of events is set to be announced in coming weeks.
With this in mind the promoter organised a test and practice weekend at Mondello Park this weekend to allow races get back up to speed after the long layoff.
Several locally based riders took advantage of the practice sessions and were among the large group that took to the County Kildare track on Saturday and Sunday across all main classes.
They included Darragh Crean, (Supertwin), Andrew Murphy (400cc class), Dean O’Grady, (Superbike), Stephen Heelan (Production Twin) and Tom McElligott Sr (Production Twin).
Emmet O’Grady hopes to race in both the Superbike and Supersport 600 classes this year and announced over the weekend that he will race for AKR Thomas Bourne Racing in the latter class for 2024.
He tested the team’s Honda CBR 600 for the first time on Saturday but despite good pace found the long layoff had its disadvantage
“On a cold and wet track my times were just one and a half to two and half seconds off a podium pace,” said the Tralee rider. “Over the next three to four weeks I will focus on my fitness, looking forward to the season and hopefully I will be challenging for race wins and podiums.”
O’Grady elected not to ride his TAG Honda Fireblade Superbike as he admitted his fitness levels were not up to scratch to allow him safely to steer a ‘big bike’ around Mondello Park.
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Kerry Motorsport News 