MCGUINNESS ENTHRALLS SPORTS AWARD AUDIENCE
The Victoria Park Hotel, Barrow in Furness was packed when bike enthusiasts attended the annual Furness & South Cumbria Motorcycle Sports Awards. The evening is an awards night with a difference. Seventeen serious awards were presented by guest of honour, John Mcguinness. In a brief interview he enthralled his audience with amusing stories, revealed his plans for 2015. Among the guests was local TT star Dan Stewart. The local Evening Mail Shield, for the most successful rider in 2014, went to former Manx Grand Prix winner Alistair Haworth. Alistair contested 26 races this year... and won 24 of them! Local classic racer, Geoff Hadwin, who took both the Darley Moor and Classic MCRC 250cc Classic Championships and finished runner-up in the Tonfanau club’s championship (which he’s previously won seven times ) got the Bill Yates Memorial trophy. Organiser Les Trotter presented Sam Walker with a new set of ‘forks’ to replace the ones he damaged in an end of season spill at Aintree. When Sam opened the package it contained a pair of ‘forks’ but no knife or spoons! Sam’s unsuspecting father, Mike, received the Wrinkly Racer Shield for the best performance by an over 40-year-old. The Duncan Mayvers Trash & Crash Award went to former Thundersport champion, Tom Mchale, who looped in spectacular fashion on the notorious Mountain at Cadwell Park. Each year’s unlucky recipient has to add something from his fallen machine to it. After 15 years, it now weighs more than the Senior TT trophy. Nick Penny was presented with a pack of fluorescent tent pegs and some strip lights after receiving the Martin Crooks Shield. After competing in the PRE-TT Classic and escaping any injury, he tripped over his tent ropes and fractured a couple of ribs. Host for the evening Garry Gardiner did not escape either. Circuit staff at Ty Croes locked the commentator in the control tower and he had difficulty contacting them, so to ensure it didn’t happen again he was presented with an escape kit, consisting of ropes, a harness and a safety helmet. On a more serious note, John Mcguinness presented The Tups Halfpenny Memorial Cup to former motocross rider Liam Morrison from nearby Dalton. Liam suffered a life-changing accident on his MX machine over a year ago when he injured his back. Since then he’s taken up wheelchair basketball, wheelchair racing and recently lapped Silverstone on a specially adapted bike. A small door charge and donations raised over £300 for the Pride of Cumbria Air Ambulance service. Lestrotter