2023 MCUI(UC) Awards :

Motorcycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre) 2023 Awards : Celebrating the Champions and the Legends of Irish Motorcycling

The 2023 Motorcycle Racing Season came to a glorious conclusion with a spectacular awards night at the La Mon House Hotel on Friday, 12th January, 2024. The event honoured the top three riders in each of the classes that make up the USBK Championship, as well as the recipients of the special MCUI awards. The awards night was a fitting tribute to the passion, talent, and dedication of the Irish motorcycling community.

The Special MCUI Awards :

In addition to the USBK champions, the awards night also recognized the outstanding achievements and contributions of some of the legends and heroes of Irish motorcycling. The special MCUI awards were presented to the following recipients:

• Bertie Mann Award: This award, named after the late Bertie Mann, who was a pioneer and a visionary in Irish motorcycling, was given to Ivan Davidson for his lifetime of work within motorcycling. Davidson is a former racer, team manager, and MCUI official, who has been involved in the sport for over 60 years. He is widely respected and admired for his knowledge, experience, and passion for motorcycling.
• Sam McClements Memorial Cup: This award, named after the late Sam McClements, who was a former MCUI president and a stalwart of the sport, was given to Michael Dunlop for his road race most superbike wins. Dunlop, who is already a legend in his own right, added to his impressive tally of road racing victories in 2023, with wins at the North West 200, the Isle of Man TT, and the Ulster Grand Prix.

• Sam Kidd Trophy: This award, named after the late Sam Kidd, who was a former MCUI treasurer and a dedicated supporter of the sport, was given to Aaron Spence for his best overall performance in junior support and fastest lap in road racing. Spence, who is one of the rising stars of Irish motorcycling, showed his potential and talent in 2023, with wins at the Cookstown 100, the Tandragee 100, and the Armoy Road Races.
• Gary Morrow Cup: This award, named after the late Gary Morrow, who was a former moto 3 champion and a promising young rider, was given to Brian Hamilton for his best newcomer to moto 3. Hamilton, who made the switch from junior support to moto 3 in 2023, adapted quickly and impressively to the new class, and won the USBK title in his debut season.
• Wheels Cup: This award, named after the Wheels Motorcycle Club, which is one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in Irish motorcycling, was given to Finnan Wherity for his best newcomer to moto one. Wherity, who is another bright prospect in Irish motorcycling, made the jump from moto 3 to moto one in 2023, and proved his mettle and skill by winning the USBK title in his first season.
• Ralph Rensen Memorial Cup: This award, named after the late Ralph Rensen, who was a former MCUI chairman and a respected figure in the sport, was given to Michael Dunlop for his best performance over all classes in road racing. Dunlop, who is arguably the greatest road racer of his generation, demonstrated his versatility and dominance in 2023, by winning races in superbike, supersport, and superstock classes at the major road racing events.
• Don Wilson Memorial Cup: This award, named after the late Don Wilson, who was a former MCUI vice-president and a loyal servant of the sport, was given to Anthony O’Carroll for his best support rider in road racing. O’Carroll, who is a veteran and a fan favourite in Irish motorcycling, showed his consistency and competitiveness in 2023, by winning races in senior support and super twin classes at the Cookstown 100, the Tandragee 100, and the Armoy Road Races.
• Ride Like the Wind Trophy: This award, was given to Sean Broly for his highest placed newcomer in senior support in road racing. Broly, who is the son of the late Sean Broly, followed in his father’s footsteps and made his mark in Irish motorcycling in 2023, by finishing second in the USBK senior support championship and winning races at the Cookstown 100 and the Tandragee 100.
• Ian King Memorial: This award, named after the late Ian King, who was a former MCUI youth development officer and a talented young rider, was given to Kedim Ryan for his best newcomer in supersport in road racing. Ryan, who is the nephew of the late Kedim Ryan, honoured his uncle’s legacy and showed his potential and flair in Irish motorcycling in 2023, by finishing fourth in the USBK supersport championship and winning races at the North West 200 and the Ulster Grand Prix.
• David Wood Scholarship: This award, named after the late David Wood, who was a former MCUI president and a legend in Irish motorcycling, was given to Lewis Mullen for his exceptional talent and achievement as a young rider. Mullen, who is one of the most promising and exciting riders in Irish motorcycling, impressed with his performances and results in 2023, by finishing fifth in the USBK moto 3 championship and winning races at the Cookstown 100 and the Tandragee 100.
• MCUI (UC) Award of Special Achievement by a Rider: This award, given by the MCUI (Ulster Centre) to a rider who has achieved something remarkable and noteworthy in the sport, was given to Richard Kerr for his 2023 British National Superstock Championship title. Kerr, who is one of the most successful and respected riders in Irish motorcycling, made history in 2023, by becoming the first Irish rider to win the British National Superstock Championship, with 10 wins and 18 podiums.

The Marshals of the Year :

The awards night also paid tribute to the marshals, who are the unsung heroes and the backbone of Irish motorcycling. The marshals are the volunteers who ensure the safety and smooth running of the events, and who put their lives on the line for the love of the sport. The marshals of the year awards were presented to the following recipients:

• New Marshal of the Year: This award, given to a marshal who has joined the ranks in the past year and has shown enthusiasm and commitment to the role, was given to James Caldwell. Caldwell, who is a former rider and a keen supporter of the sport, joined the marshals in 2023, and quickly became a valuable and reliable member of the team.
• Marshal of the Year Runner Up: This award, given to a marshal who has performed exceptionally well and has gone above and beyond the call of duty, was given to Alan Williamson. Williamson, who is a long-serving and experienced marshal, performed admirably and professionally in 2023, and was involved in several incidents where he displayed courage.
• Marshal of the Year:  This award speaks for itself and goes to the Marshal who simply goes above and beyond in every aspect of the role.  Huge congratulations go to this year’s recipient Trudy Blair. 

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