Motorcycling: Lowry on the rise? You bet!

Moffett backs Ian as he bids for British glory

Saturday, February 23, 2008

By Jimmy Walker

Moffett is the man whose money helps to oil Lowry's wheels and as Ian said: " He's given me a lot of backing and has really put me on the right road."

Lowry has fond memories of Moffett's last major excursion in horse racing for Moffett won the Cesarewitch with Leg Spinner who will be one of the main Moffett horses in action at Cheltenham.

"I'll never forget the day of the Cesarewitch," said Lowry. "I was racing in the Sunflower Trophy Meeting at Bishopscourt when I was told that Leg Spinner was running in the big race at Newmarket. I rang home and told my mum and sister to back the horse for me and it won at a very generous price. So I'm hoping that Billy has similar success next month and perhaps I'll be able to back another big priced winner."

Twenty-one-year-old Lowry is, of course, a member of the TAS Suzuki team who have provided him with a shining new bike for the British Championship which he feels he can win this year.

"I was runner-up to my team mate Michael Laverty last season," he said. "And with Michael moving up to the Superbike Class I feel I can do the business in the Supersport.

"Looking around for opposition probably the main threat will be Denis Hobbs who finished third last year behind Michael and myself. My plan will be obviously to grab as many points as possible and to take it steady in the first two or three rounds before I move on from there. I have a great chance of winning the championship and I don't intend to let down Philip Neill and the rest of the boys at TAS Suzuki who have all been solidly behind me."

Lowry gets an early opportunity to show his form for along with Laverty he will be riding at the meeting organised by the Dundrod Club next month. As it happens the date is March 15 which is the end of Cheltenham week so it's perfectly timed as far as Lowry and his sponsors are concerned.

" I won two races when this meeting was staged at Kirkstown last year so I feel I have a lot to live up to. Now that it has moved to Bishopscourt it will suit me just as well for I finished third on this track in the big Sunflower Trophy last October behind Laverty and Alastair Seeley. In addition I won two 600cc races at that meeting and had a second and a third in the Superbike events.

"This season I'll only be riding the 600cc Supersport but that will be enough and I will be hopeful of seeing the season through in good style with a win at the end. I feel I owe it to everybody behind me to be champion and this weekend I fly out to Spain for a six-day practising session along with the rest of the team. After that I have to concentrate on the meeting at Bishopscourt next month and then I'll be focusing on the British Championship which begins at Brands Hatch in April. It's going to be a hectic time but I'm excited by what's ahead and I know from my previous results that I can do the business."

The Bishopscourt meeting is also expected to attract Cameron Donald and Bruce Anstey, fellow members of the TAS team and all being well it should be quite a show. Laverty was also successful last year at this meeting with a double and there's no doubt he will be the man to watch on this occasion, considering he is British Champion and Irish motor cycling's Man of the Year.

Meanwhile the Ballymoney Motor Show will take place in the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre on March 7 and 8. This is the ninth year the show has been run and each year a charity benefits. On this occasion this will be Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke Organisation.

As well as having a large display of racing and road bikes there will be stalls with clothing and helmets.

Organiser Davy Louden can be contacted on 07922060107.