News

Despite being a late starter in racing, Cookstown's William Young grew up in the road-racing paddock, so he always had an interest in the sport. The two-wheeled bug started in the early 2000's when local racer Baylon McCaughey held a mini-moto fundraiser, and he took part in it, and the obsession has grown every day since! A double winner in the ’B’ 600 race at last year's Classic Festival, in his debut season, showed great potential, and now, only his second full season of racing, William, will make his road race debut at his local road race, the BEAR Competitions Cookstown 100 road races. For the Young family, this will be a poignant moment, as they will remember Freddie, Williams' grandfather, who raced on the same circuit and later became deeply involved in the organising club; his older brother, Mark, was a podium finisher at the same event. However, William will be taking this event in his stride; he has a goal to achieve, and it's not about winning races! “I have a personal goal to finish the NW200 Road Races in honour of my brother Mark, who lost his life there in 2009. Achieving this would mean completing what my brother sadly could not, and I am determined to gain the necessary experience at national road races—especially making my road race debut at my home circuit, where both my grandfather and brother raced before me—to earn that license” The 31-year-old electrician will compete in the Senior Support race on his R6 Yamaha machine, whilst the crowds lining the hedgerows will know William as a local lad; few will understand the depth of his mission. Racing isn't just a sport for William—it is a tribute, a promise, and a reckoning all rolled into one. Having a brief spell at racing in 2014 on a 125cc, last year marked the beginning of his first full season on a 600cc. Now, he is about to make his road race debut on the same ground where his family’s footsteps echoed across generations! William has fond memories of the Cookstown 100 road races and fondly remembers brother Mark finishing second to the legendary Robert Dunlop in 2007! With only one bike, William would gladly use a second machine, but, like many others, finances just don’t justify it at the moment. He is open to offers! William extends heartfelt thanks to his sponsors and to everyone who has supported him along the way. The 2026 season wouldn't be possible without the support of the following: Inver Coaches | Ma Quinn's | Rodney Young | FonaCAB | William & Deborah Cairns | CM Grafix | Cartwheel Bar | James Brodie | LP Sports Massage Therapy | Country Fried Chicken Cookstown | JM Paving Solutions | Tipsyfeather | Stephen Ferguson | CEC Electrical | Fairhill Pizzeria | Whitecairn & Glenluce Holiday Parks |Motomerchants | The Cookstown Motorcycle Club for their help with the Entry Fee