Title: Nico Mawhinney Wins Bertie Mann Award 2013 Post by: Mago on December 06, 2013, 10:14:16 am Castledawson’s Nico Mawhinney has been awarded the prestigious Bertie Mann Award for 2013, the 40th year of the presentation of the perpetual silver trophy and replica together with a cash award. It has however always been stressed that the honour is in winning the Award and that the monetary aspect is secondary.
The Bertie Mann Award is open to competitors under the age of 21 involved in road racing, MotoCross and trials, who are nominated by their MCUI Clubs and are judged by a distinguished panel to be the most outstanding in Ireland for that particular year. Administrators of all ages are also eligible but are judged on their ability as innovators rather their efficiency at applying existing systems. This is the only one of its type in Irish motorcycling although in the UK the Pinhard Prize is similar and is greatly coveted. Nico has been around the race paddock from a young lad, as his Dad used to race (02/03), and also sponsored Craig Gibson, he also gave Darran Lindsay a hand in 2006. In 2007 a young Nico got a Honda 125cc Grand Prix machine from Lincolnshire, an ex Sam Lowes spare bike. He rode it for two years before moving on to a 600cc Suzuki (which was previously raced by Craig Gibson), which he rode for two years finishing second in the 2010 Irish 600cc Clubman’s Championship, setting nine lap records in the process and became the youngest ever rider to win the Clubman’s Championship! However, Nico topped the championship table in the 600cc Ulster Championships! For 2011 his dad bought an ex TAS bike, Bruce Anstey’s 1000cc Superstock machine and despite many saying, that Nico was too young to be allowed into the Superbike class, the young student went on to win both Irish and Ulster Superbike Clubman’s Championships, also winning the Superstock class title. For 2012, his father (Geoffrey) upgraded the bike to Superbike spec and Nico admitted it took him a full season to re-adjust to learning how to ride a Superbike fast. This year, Nico put his experience to the test and along with a nail biting win at Kirkistown on Easter Monday, Nico continued to maintain consistency, by taking many podium finishes, culminating in winning, BOTH Irish and Ulster Superbike Championships, and again, was the youngest Irish rider to win an ISB title here in Ireland!. Looking ahead, Nico wants to go to British championship level, but only if this can be affordable, He knows it will take a few seasons to learn the circuits in the UK, and is prepared to wait for the right chance to do so, if nothing materialises for 2014, the trusty Suzuki, is still capable of winning, and Nico is ready! Who was Bertie Mann? - The programme for the 1972 Ulster Grand Prix carried a tribute to “Motor cycling’s great all-rounder” and described a career which included participation in practically every aspect of motorcycle sport combined with a leading role in its administration. Indeed he was unique in that while holding the highest office – President of the Motorcycle Union of Ireland – he also won the Ulster Centre 200cc Grass track Championship and also acted as Clerk of the Course at the then World Championship Ulster Grand Prix. Who have been winners in the past? – Road Race, Motocross and Trials riders have all had their share of wins as the following list shows:- 1974 Don Cormican 1975 Steve Cull Road Racing 1976 Alan Garret 1977 Colin Bell 1978 Laurence Spence 1979 Alan Magee 1980 Stephen Russell 1981 Norman Brown Road Racing 1982 Harold Crawford 1983 Johnny Rea Road Racing 1984 Mark Farmer / Sean McStay Road Racing 1985 Gary Cowan Road Racing 1986 William Burgess 1987 Alan Morrison 1988 Alan Patterson RoadRacing 1989 Robert Crawford 1990 Mark McClenaghan 1991 David White 1992 S McCreery / B Steele 1993 Mark Coates Road Racing 1994 Andrew Perry 1995 Gordon Crockard 1996 David Mateer Road Racing 1997 Alan Marks 1998 Marty Nutt Road Racing 1999 Gareth Andrews 2000 Thomas Merton 2001 Michael Laverty Road Racing 2002 Harold McQuaid 2003 Jonathan Rea Road Racing 2004 Eugene Laverty Road Racing 2005 Martin Barr 2006 Michael Dunlop Road Racing 2007 B J Toal Road Racing 2008 Lee Johnston Road Racing 2009 Natalie Kane Road Racing 2010 Glenn Irwin Road Racing 2011 John Simpson Road Racing 2012 Andrew Irwin Road Racing 2013 Nico Mawhinney Road Racing Nico is the twentieth road racer to receive the Bertie Mann Award. |