Where legends live on..

Pride of the Irish - Ulster Grand Prix 1968

As was his way, when the power advantage of the MV allowed him to dominate, Giacomo Agostini played his usual waiting game, allowing Heinz Rosner (MZ) and Aermacchi Metisse mounted Kel Carruthers to make the early running.

On lap three Ago wound up the wick and left the rest of the field to fight over runner-up spot. Frankie Stastny, on one of the works Jawa two-stroke fours, moved up to second, only for the magneto to fail and force his retirement. Stastny’s demise left Carruthers out on his own in second but behind him a battle royal raged between Jack Findlay (Beart Aermacchi), local hero Steenson (Aermacchi) and Derek Woodman, also Aermacchi mounted.

As Woodman slowed with gearbox trouble Findlay and Steenson battled on, with nothing to choose between them, until the lightened rear wheel spindle of the Beart Aermacchi broke and Findlay was forced to wobble to a standstill at Rushyhill.

Steenson rode on to a hugely popular third spot behind Agostini and the vastly experienced Carruthers. The young Irish ace tragically lost his life in the Isle of Man, just two years later at the TT, before his true potential had been realised.

Words: Malc Wheeler
Photograph: Mortons Archive – Nick Nicholls Collection www.mortonsarchive.com