What can be done to bolster the 125cc road race class?

Not so long ago it used to be one of the best races of the day. You had a lot of the top riders such as Joey Dunlop, Robert Dunlop, Owen McNally, James Courtney, Gary Dynes, Dennis McCullough, Darran Lindsay, Phelim Owens, Bob Jackson, Ryan Farquhar etc going head to head. Phillip McCallen and Derek Young both plied their trade on a 125.

I appreciate that it has a lot to do with cost of running and that road race newcomers get better value starting out on a 600 for example in the Support class.

It just seems a shame not to see a big field of 125's screaming past. I think Michael Dunlop mentioned in the UGP program that he thinks the class will disappear before long and it would be sad to see its demise.

Ballio wrote:

QUOTE:
What can be done to bolster the 125cc road race class?

Not so long ago it used to be one of the best races of the day. You had a lot of the top riders such as Joey Dunlop, Robert Dunlop, Owen McNally, James Courtney, Gary Dynes, Dennis McCullough, Darran Lindsay, Phelim Owens, Bob Jackson, Ryan Farquhar etc going head to head. Phillip McCallen and Derek Young both plied their trade on a 125.

I appreciate that it has a lot to do with cost of running and that road race newcomers get better value starting out on a 600 for example in the Support class.

It just seems a shame not to see a big field of 125's screaming past. I think Michael Dunlop mentioned in the UGP program that he thinks the class will disappear before long and it would be sad to see its demise.

I have to agree with you there, but it's not just the 125cc class, it's the 250cc aswell with all the riders mentioned above giving it their all on those aswell.

However, ten years ago, the likes of the Dunlops, Courtney, Jackson, Farquhar, Britton, Duncan, Sinton etc would be a massive turnout in the 600cc and 750/1000cc classes but now a lot of the guys who compete at the TT, NW200, UGP etc no longer compete in Ulster on a regular basis.

It is a shame to see this happen and something needs to be done about it.

Ballio wrote:

QUOTE:
What can be done to bolster the 125cc road race class?

Not so long ago it used to be one of the best races of the day. You had a lot of the top riders such as Joey Dunlop, Robert Dunlop, Owen McNally, James Courtney, Gary Dynes, Dennis McCullough, Darran Lindsay, Phelim Owens, Bob Jackson, Ryan Farquhar etc going head to head. Phillip McCallen and Derek Young both plied their trade on a 125.

I appreciate that it has a lot to do with cost of running and that road race newcomers get better value starting out on a 600 for example in the Support class.

It just seems a shame not to see a big field of 125's screaming past. I think Michael Dunlop mentioned in the UGP program that he thinks the class will disappear before long and it would be sad to see its demise.

Just look at how many of those riders are no longer with us though.. and what they were riding when it happened...

Each year it becomes an uphill struggle to keep the 2 stroke supporters club running, literally we put every cent into keeping and encouraging the 125 and 250 classes going. Our funds are limited by the number of members who thankfully join us year in year out and from the few fundraisers that we put on in The Yacht, Loughshinny (Launch night/Skerries/Killalane and the Awards Night) No question about it, but it's a labour of love and does take 52 weeks to keep it going - we owe it to the many fine riders who graced the strokers in the past.
Still we have many new riders who are keeping the bigger 250 classes going like Sparky Young, Ivan Linton, William Cowden, together with the more established stars.
Back to the 125's, with the amount of 400SS bikes making it over to the roads, suppose theirs more choice for newer riders to choose from

How much does it cost to put a 125 or 250 on the grid compared with a 600?

With a 125 the riders are only getting one outing a meeting, it used to be usually two with one counting to the 125 championship and one for the 200cc.
With a 600 a rider can get usually four outings.

Unfortunately like everything it boils down to pound notes.

As we all know 2 keep a 2 stroke competitive it needs a lot more costly maintenance to keep it at the sharp end.

Equally although I don't race myself, I would say riding a 125 is a different style and discipline than a bigger bike so logically it would make sense to get as much time on a 600 or similar if that is your longer term aspiration.

I appreciate that reality kicks in; really just being nostalgic about some great races and riders.

I enjoyed watching Ian Lougher and William Dunlop dicing last week and it made me think of some of the previous battles on Irish roads.

The lack of bikes is not restricted to the Roads, look at the circuits too, The grids are now at the point that it is not worth running them. It is a shame as this is where the young riders need to cut their teeth. Due to regulations coming in worldwide, the classes will be gone in 5 or so years anyway.

Lets just remember one thing - two strokes are true racing machines. When you have a dedicated group of people who share a common goal called the Two Stroke Racing Supporters Club the two strokes will not fade away. They’re keeping er lit. It’s a big undertaking and a very worthwhile cause to support.

On the surface of things whilst watching behind a hedge while trying to balance a diet coke and a chip its been a very challenging season. Its been a real tester and the scene has weathered the storm very well. With the lose of Robert and the retirement of Mark Curtin the 125 scene looks unsteady. As Jeff Shaw said Robert "carried the class". Its a tried and tested class and when you have the likes of Shaw in among the ranks we will see plenty more two stoke racing.

For me the two stroke class is the wall flower of road racing. Nip and tuck racing 100% guaranteed. I think it has pulled in the crowds over the years. It generates a hell of a lot of interest among race goers. They’re fun to watch and I would guess they are enjoyable to race. Watching such characters and talents of McNally, Courtney, Dynes, McCullough, Lindsay, Robinson, McCready, etc got me hooked on road racing but I am more interested about today and the future. This season when you see lads like the great Phil Archer, Wilson, Neil, Moore, M Dunlop, W Dunlop, S Dunlop, Linton, Shaw, Burns, Cowden, Burrows, Morgan, Morell, Davidson, Portadowns very own Malcom Love the two strokes will be around for many more nationals.

Unless the big manufactures make a road going 125 racer I can regretfully the end coming very soon. 600s and 1000s can be fairly competitive out of the showroom with a few adjustments and reasonable supply of parts, unless you want to be at the very top. On the roads, except maybe at high speed circuits like the NW the difference in race and stock machines is minimal, eg #77's superstock and others racing 600s in the open classes. I don't think there are 125s equivalent to this.
With 400s and 650s now allowed out at most meetings with the 125 class, I think the demise will come sooner than later.
Much as I hate to say it I think two stroke racing is on its way out and we will have to live with it, we got over the 200s, 350s and 500s going to the wall. When 600s came on the scene who ever thought they would produce such good racing?
Good luck to the two stroke club attempting to keep it going but I feel they are up against the much larger forces, including the FIM who want to do away with two stroke engines.

Just had a look at the MGP practice times, it looks like there are only about 4 125s entered and only Dan Sayle has completed a lap up until tonight.