Connor remembered at memorial race meeting
The memory of Connor Smith from Machrie was honoured in Italy at the fourth annual Connor Smith Memorial quad and sidecar racing event held recently.
Members of the Nett and Nora Quad clubs, based in the United Kingdom, travelled to Italy to compete in the event, with many helpers and supporters making the journey, along with Connor’s dad Bill.
The event was held at the Cingoli club circuit, in the province of Macerata, Italy, with fantastic weather and clear blue skies for the entire weekend.
Eight UK quad riders attended the meeting where the host club, MC Fagioli, made all the UK visitors exceptionally welcome.
The event, at the iconic grand prix venue where young Connor tragically lost his life in 2013, is now firmly fixed in the European race calendar.
British championship and NORA-MX organiser Stuart Walker said: ‘I have never experienced such a welcome anywhere in the world of racing.
‘The Italian club officials and members seem to have adopted Bill, who was with us for this memorial meeting.’
A touching moment, was a gathering of all the bikes and riders present, at Connor’s memorial stone on the Sunday morning before racing started. The UK quad riders included Mark Mclernon, Murray Graham, Mark Wilson, Michael Robinson, Adam Robinson, Alex Sheppard, Harry Walker and Matt Alberti.
Harry Walker was the first Britain to provide a result in race one, with a third place, with Murray Graham also taking third in race two.
Murray’s 5-3 result took the third place on the podium behind Andrea Cesari, and Simone Mastronardi.