January 18th saw the annual Cornmarket Awards ceremony held in Belfast where the accolades for the Irish Road Races for the preceding year are recognised.

It goes without saying the 2018 season was not without significant tragedy, however the ceremony was handled beautifully by hosts Keith Huewen and Stephen Watson and the evening passed with a respectful mix of celebration and emotion.

In the hotly contested ‘Race of the Year’ category sponsored by Bet McLean and voted for by the public vs a panel of judges, in a poll closing minutes before the ceremony saw a resounding result declared - James Cowton as the award recipient for his stunning victory in the JM Paterson sponsored Supertwin Race at the North West 200.

Sam Morton representing James’s partner Chloe Black and his family, stepped on stage to collect the award for James together Mervyn White who collected an award as the hosting event. Both made a short acceptance speech in which Sam in hers told the audience that ‘in a heartbeat I wish he were here to accept the award in person’ and ‘given that the award was voted for by the public I hope it gives some comfort to the family further extending the love and support the race community and race family has shown them’.

Many top riders and guests attending the event went on to further support the award result with comments like ‘it was truly deserved as it was a brilliant race with an edge of the seat finish’.

The Cornmarket organisers later asked where the award would reside. Sam explained it would travel back to the Isle of Man with her temporarily for Chloe to collect when she next visited which was likely to be for the Southern 100 Annual Dinner. It was muted to approach the Southern 100 committee and see if a collaboration was possible for the Southern 100 to host the onward presentation to Chloe given that whilst the presentation at the Cornmarket ceremony had clearly been emotional it was equally a very positive and celebratory experience.

On to Saturday 16th February and the Southern 100 Annual Dinner at the Best Western Place Hotel & Casino in Douglas, Manx Radio’s Tim Glover informed the gathered guests of the very special presentation and invited both Sam Morton and Chloe Black to the ‘stage’.

Sam Morton duly presented the Duleek Vase to Chloe, which Chloe accepted with heartfelt thanks to Sam for collecting and taking care of the Award and to the Southern 100 for making the presentation possible.

Both ladies left the centre stage to a standing ovation.

Later in the evening the Japanese company CSA, who during the three races on the Colas Billown Course during last year presented all the race winners with special medallions, made a special ‘Brave Heart’ presentation to Chloe Black and to Dan Sayle, Tony Duncan and Paul Corrin.


Photo courtesy of Jim Gibson – Ellan Vannin Images.