A tight schedule lies ahead for riders taking part in both Connor Smith Memorial Weekends in the next fortnight. Entries are open now for the Connor Smith Memorial at Dean Moor on 2-3 July where the NETT Club will host a round of both the British Quadcross and Sidecarcross Championships on the Sunday as well as Club Championship races for all classes.
Feature Image by Bob Keith which shows Connor’s last race in Scotland at Cardenden MX, September 2013, where he had already clinched the 2013 Scottish title for the second time.
But ahead of the Cumbrian based event, an eclectic group of British riders will also be taking part in the next round of the Campeonato Italiano Quadcross – the Italian Quadcross Championship – this weekend coming, 24-25 June. The Memorial meeting held in honour of Connor Smith takes place annually at Cingoli, the track which will also play host to the Quadcross of Nations again later this year. The event is hosted by the Motorcycle Club Fagioli of Cingoli whose members, for the last decade, have warmly welcomed Connor’s family, friends and fellow riders from all over Britain and other European countries to the prestigious tribute event.
This year’s entrants include Connor’s lifelong friend Murray Graham as well as Mark Mclernon, Gary Atkinson, Robbie Wood, Jacob Atkinson, Jamie Morgan, Cameron Thompson, Darren Bridge, Geoff Ottway and possibly Harry Walker who is currently recovering from a heavy crash in the European Quad Championship earlier in the month.
Connor hailed from Isle of Arran off the West Coast of Scotland and started racing the youth classes of the two Northern based clubs, NETT and QRS. By 2012, the popular young teenager’s undoubted talent was on full display as he clinched the Championship category of both Series; then in 2013 he took the Scottish title again and was runner up in NETT, second only to the vastly experienced Lindsay Duke. His talent was obvious and much admired, but it was his fun-loving character, mischievous smile and encouraging words for the younger riders in the clubs, that endeared him to so many and made his loss, while representing Great Britain, even more devastating.
In his short life, Connor touched many riders, some raced with him, some simply aspired to; and now, ten years on, there is a new generation of young rider inspired by the spirit of the events run annually is his memory, both in Cingoli and at Dean Moor.
For more info and to enter for Dean Moor, go to https://www.goracemx.com/event.php?eid=6480
