Big thank you from Lisburn.com

Local students mix sport with studies of subject they love

South Eastern Regional College (SERC) Motorsport Engineering students helped build and prepare SERC's new rally car for competitions. The car will be on display at the Circuit of Ireland Rally, Castle Gardens Lisburn on April 7.

South Eastern Regional College (SERC) Motorsport Engineering students helped build and prepare SERC's new rally car for competitions. The car will be on display at the Circuit of Ireland Rally, Castle Gardens Lisburn on April 7.

South Eastern Regional College (SERC) engineering student and 2011 Irish Motocross Champion Andrew McKee in action.

South Eastern Regional College (SERC) engineering student and 2011 Irish Motocross Champion Andrew McKee in action.

TWO racing enthusiasts, Adam Sterling and Andrew McKee, are balancing their love of sport with their chosen career.

Both are full time engineering students at South Eastern Regional College (SERC) who have also had a great deal of motorsports success.

Adam, who is from Moira, is currently third in the world at under 18 level and is already making headlines on the international kart racing scene while Andrew was crowned Irish Motocross champion last year.

Adam has been karting since the age of seven and finished fourth in the prestigious 'Young Personality of the Year' award in January. He hopes to continue to compete in European championships.

Andrew, from Hillsborough, is the current Irish motocross champion and began motocross when he got his first bike at ten years old.

His first ever trophy was the Holeshot 'Perpetual Endeavour Award' which he won after his first year of motocross at the age of 11.

In January 2011, the then 17-year-old Andrew progressed to compete in the Ulster and Irish Championships with numerous successes.

With ten-wins and eighteen podiums out of twenty one starts, Andrew was crowned the first 2011 Irish Motocross champion with one round to spare.

David Irwin, engineering lecturer at SERC, said both men bring a wealth of expertise and understanding to the course.

"They are a valuable asset and demonstrate that if you are dedicated to your goals you can achieve anything," he said.

The Colleges Motorsport Engineering students helped build and prepare SERC's new rally car for competitions and will be on display at the Circuit of Ireland Rally, Castle Gardens Lisburn on April 7.

mary.magee@ulsterstar.co.uk.

Ulster Star
30/03/2012