Better late than never for race ace McAloran

In motorsport - as in life - timing is everything.

It is a philosophy Portadown's Chris McAloran can certainly support following last weekend's dramatic finale to the Irish 250GP Championship campaign.

McAloran entered the double date needing to edge clear of overall leader, Thomas Lawlor, to turn the tables on a single-point deficit.

With just two races remaining in the nine-round schedule, time was running out for the 22-year-old rider but he displayed a perfect sense of occasion to secure top spot in the standings when it mattered most.

At one stage of the season, McAloran was trailing Lawlor by around 50 points but a sequence of results based on impressive consistency helped him cut into the gap until his rival's exit on the final race provided the Portadown ace with an opening he was never going to waste.

"I did not lead the championship until the end but managed to record podium placings over every meeting from round three onwards," said McAloran. "After fighting all the way, to get the result needed to seal the title was a wonderful feeling.
"My goal was always to win the championship from the first day but I went into last weekend's programme having secured runner-up spot and content with that after making up so much ground.

"However, Bishopscourt is probably my favourite circuit and I hold the lap record from a previous outing so that helped increase my confidence.
"I had plenty of friends and family in the crowd offering support and I am just over the moon with the win, especially as it is my first full championship after missing three years."

McAloran's prospects of edging out Lawlor received a boost over the free practice schedule and he was delighted to have a spot on the front row.
"The plan was to get off to a good start and although Thomas won the first race I was third so that set it up for the final test," said McAloran. "I held the lead at various points of both races but was dicing with him and William Dunlop when Thomas had problems with the bike.

"After some quick mental arithmetic I realised a top-five position would wrap it up so I just kept my concentration and crossed the line fourth.
"Next season the aim is to mount a successful defence of the Irish title, plus build on last season's progress over the British Championship as I recorded one second so that is encouraging.
"At the minute, I plan just to relax and enjoy the win."

McAloran would like to thank the following: PD Developments, A1 Resprays Newry, Gino's and NV, Trevor Keys, Johnny Guy, Ciaran McAloran Engineering - with special thanks to his mechanic, Noel McCallen, plus family and friends.
A fancy dress fund-raiser to bolster next season's race fund will take place in Moira's Pretty Mary's on Wednesday, October 31, with all welcome.