VC Glendale hosted an unforgettable day of racing on June 10th, as they paid tribute to Jimmy Watson with a series of thrilling road races. The event was held in Mallusk, and the club went all out to create a proper Kermesse-style atmosphere, complete with a race HQ and village set up in true Belgian fashion. The day was blessed with perfect weather, as temperatures soared to 20 degrees, setting the scene for an exciting day of racing.

The club had also purchased two fantastic cups for the main events, which showcased the U16 boys’ and girls’ races later in the day. As a mark of respect to the Kane family, whose daughter Debbie Barclay was a massive supporter of the VC Glendale imps, they decided to run a separate memorial race in her honour. The racing was delayed for ten minutes due to a funeral, but soon kicked off with a super-fast U12 event where James Cunningham (Orwell Wheelers) took off on lap one of three and wasn’t seen again until the finish. His lap times actually matched some of the lap times in the main U16 event. With James home and over the line comfortably, he was followed by Rory McCool (Square Wheels) in 2nd and Senan Traynor (Bohermeen) in 3rd. The girls’ U12 race was won impressively by Eire McCrystal (Bellurgan Wheelers), with Darragh Quigley rounding off the podium with 1st Unplaced U11.

The U14 boys’ and girls’ races were also closely contested, with Caleb McGreevy, Jamie Rocket, Josh McClune, and Rian McCrystal forming a lead group in the boys’ race. The racing did not let up for five laps, and both races came down to group sprints. Rian McCrystal was just too strong for Caleb in the Sprint, with Josh McClune coming home in third. The girls’ race saw a much closer finish, with Aoife Craig getting the jump on her two rivals 300m before the line, only to be pipped by half a wheel by Emer Heverin on the line. Clodagh Quigley came in third in the same time, with Eoin Davis taking first unplaced U13 rider.

The highlight of the day was the Jimmy Watson Perpetual Cup for boys and the Debbie Barclay perpetual cup for girls. These races were contested over 11 laps and were fast and furious from the gun. The boys’ race was a particularly thrilling affair, with a three-man group of Adam Ward, Cameron Henry, and Conor Murphy riding well together to hold off Curtis McKee, who was chasing at thirty seconds. Prime winner James Armstrong was close behind in fifth place. With McKee getting ever closer, the youngest rider in the group feared they would get caught and did most of the riding in the final lap. This left Henry and Murphy to eye each other up entering the final 300m sprint. Henry kicked first, passing Ward, and proved too strong for Murphy in second and Ward in third. McKee came home in fourth, taking the first unplaced U15 spot, with academy rider James Armstrong rounding off the top 5.

But the girls’ race was no less thrilling. Rhiannon Dolan was able to hang on to the boys for longer than her rivals, but was chased furiously all race by academy rider Cara Suckling. On a scorching hot day, Suckling had to concede to the super strong Dolan, with Aoibhinn Sharky coming home in third.

The racing was supported by a £25 prime lap, sponsored by CJ Watson Plumbing – Jimmy’s last employer and middle son. The podium presentation was carried out by the Kane and Watson family, as the spectators happily ate frites from Browns fish and Chips under the basking Belfast sun. Fantastic cups and trophies from AB Trophies were handed out, along with goody bags from GSG clothing, all support vehicles were electric from Charles Hurst Renault carrying all the chief comms on the day.

The event was a resounding success, and a huge thanks goes out to all who attended and gave up their time for marshalling. With such a successful inaugural race, the club hopes that the event will go from strength to strength in the coming years.