Grand Prix of Northern Ireland - Everts aims for GP ton

Newly crowned Motocross World Champion Stefan Everts has vowed to re-write the history books and bring up a century of Grand Prix wins when he competes at the GP of Northern Ireland later this month (August 26-27).

NORTHERN IRELAND EVENTS COMPANY MEDIA RELEASE

Grand Prix of Northern Ireland - Everts aims for GP ton

Everts clinched his 10th World title and his 99th career Grand Prix victory in Belgium on Sunday, leaving him one short of the magical ton.

"It has long been my ambition to win one hundred Grand Prix and I am hoping to do it in Northern Ireland," said the multi-world champion.

"Desertmartin is a really challenging track and the race is sure to be competitive, but I am very confident now and looking forward to it.

"To win one hundred Grand Prix would be very special for me, so I think it will be a great meeting and hopefully a very memorable one.

"Ireland already has a lot of great memories already for me as my son Liam was born just after I won here last year. I also first raced in Northern Ireland in 1991 at Killinchy, the year I also won my first world title," said Everts.

Local rider, three times British Champion and top six World Championship competitor Gordon Crockard said while he was anxious to win on home soil, he recognised all eyes would be on Everts.

"Motocross fans around the world will all be watching to see if Stefan can make a bit of history and win one hundred Grand Prix, so I suppose in a strange way it would be nice if he did it in Northern Ireland," he said.

"That doesn't mean I won't be doing my best to beat him of course. I

Sounds like a good excuse for the NI boys to meet. I'm working :(

can't beleive everts is still right up there, he must be about 90 years old by now!

NI secures 2007 Grand Prix

The NI Events Company (NIEC) is delighted to announce that Northern Ireland has secured a round of the 2007 FIM Motocross World Championship.

The welcome news comes just five days before this year’s Grand Prix of Northern Ireland at Desertmartin (August 26-27).

NIEC beat off rival bids from other countries to secure one of just 15 Grand Prix in 2007, much to the delight of Chief Executive Janice McAleese.

"Northern Ireland is now firmly established as part of the FIM Motocross World Championship and a Grand Prix has been secured for August 19th, 2007,” she said.

"This is good news for Northern Ireland. More than fourteen million TV viewers worldwide watched the race from Desertmartin last year and it projected a great image of Northern Ireland.

“Our brief is to bring world class events to Northern Ireland and the FIM World Motocross is certainly that. Major players like Japan, South Africa, Italy, France, Spain and Germany all host rounds of the championship, so for Northern Ireland to secure one of just fifteen Grand Prix is a great boost for everyone involved.

“There is huge local and international interest in this weekend’s event at Desertmartin with some hotels thirty and forty miles from the track taking bookings for accommodation,” she said.

Giuseppe Luongo, President of Motocross worldwide rights holders Youthstream, agreed that Northern Ireland is now very much part of the FIM World Championship calendar with future Grand Prix assured.

"Northern Ireland is a great venue and we believe very much in this region," he said.

"We have assured the Grand Prix with a long term agreement. At the same time we have the Supermoto of Nations in Northern Ireland this year and in 2008 we have the Motocross of Nations. "We believe very much that the Irish fans are fantastic and we think there will be a fantastic future there.

"We have had great support from the Government and Northern Ireland Events who have organised things very well," said Mr Luongo.

Meanwhile local rider Gordon Crockard is looking forward to this weekend's Grand Prix as World Champion Stefan Everts chases a record-breaking 100th GP victory. "I'm very excited because it is my home track," said the Team Wulfsport rider. "So far this year my results have been okay, but I want to really get a good result in Northern Ireland at Desertmartin. The track is fantastic and I think all the riders enjoy it.

"The track has had some improvements and I think it will be very good this season. "It will be a great opportunity for the Irish fans to see Stefan Everts for the last time and if I could perhaps go a little quicker I could race with him at the front," said Crockard.

PLEASE NOTE: Janice McAleese is available for interview – please contact Bruce McKendry on 07748 053309

For GP of NI media accreditation contact NI Events on 028 9066 6661 or Peter Thompson on 07884 181810

Ticket prices are £25 adult weekend ticket, £15 concession weekend ticket (11 - 17), £15 day pass (Saturday or Sunday - no concession rate), U10s go free

The event is staged with the support of Cookstown and District Motocross Club, P&O and the Motorcycle Union of Ireland

FIM Motocross Grand Prix of Northern Ireland Schedule

Saturday, 26 August 2006

Free Practice 1

11:00 - 11:40

Free Practice 2

14:00 - 14:40

Time Practice

16:30 - 17:00

Sunday, 27 August 2006

Warm-up

09:30 - 09:50

Grand Prix Race 1

13:05

Grand Prix Race 2

16:03