Paul joins up with Moira club

Paul Jordan from Magherfelt will be on their 600 Honda on the roads for 2014, after Alan Kenny decided to retire from racing.

It will be Paul’s first full season on the roads but he certainly doesn’t arrive at the Moira club lacking in experience.

“I began racing in the Irish Clubman’s Championship in 2005 on board a Honda RS125,” he said.

“I finished fourth in the championship and the following season I was moved to The Irish National Championship. There I again finished in fourth place.

“The following year I also ended the season in fourth but at the sunflower at the end of the season I was approached by Mark Keen of KRP Racing, and was asked would I like to ride in the British 125 Championship as part of his team.”

That took the Magherafelt man to England, where he got a taste for that winning feeling.

“I took several race victories along with several podiums, finishing the season in third place which is more than I could have dreamed of achieving as I had never seen never mind rode any of the race tracks in England.

“I stayed with the team the following season, finishing the championship in fifth place. I also took part in the British Moto GP event at Donnington Park where I qualified in 32nd place and finished the race in 16th.”

Paul’s career was certainly beginning to take off and soon he was sharing a garage with would-be 2013 Supersport World Champion Sam Lowes, racing for GNS racing in the British Supersport.

“In 2010 I had a steep learning curve from riding 125 two stroke machinery, to jumping onto a fully blown supersport machine but I soon adapted to the new bike and had podiums in the Supersport Cup category and also scored points in the main championship,” he said.

“However, I was unable to finish the season due to financial reasons.”

Paul continued to make friends in high places and in 2012 raced for William Dunlop.

“William offered to help me and I rode his 125 on the roads,” he said. “While competing at the Ulster Grand Prix, I finished the season the worst way possible with a high speed crash which I had to have my ankle pinned as it was badly broken and ruled me out of any other races that year.

“In 2013, I signed for Replicast Uk and raced again in the British 125 Championship, scoring points in every round but again could not complete the season due to lack of funds and sponsorship.

“!I rode at the Ulster Grand Prix again on board my brother’s 125 and finished the race in third behind Christian Elkin and Lan Lougher.”

In the coming season, Paul’s Moira Club will receive continued support from Pretty Mary’s Bar, Moira, Moto-Direct, Holland Contracts, Tremaine Gregg Photos and Collision Recovery Services Belfast.