The BMW rider sustained serious injuries in a crash at Croft race circuit in North East England whilst competing in the Ken Redfern Trophy race. Jamison was using the weekend as a warm up to the start of his Irish Championship defence but a high speed crash on lap one of the feature race brought his season to a premature end.

Jamison suffered a high speed third gear high side and was then collected by another machine which could not avoid him. He was rushed to the James Cooke University Hospital in Middlesborough due to the fact that it is recognised as one of the leading spinal injury hospitals. The 31 year old was diagnosed with multiple verterbra fractures, a dislocation of the AC joint, ligament damage to his knee and ankle as well as severe bruising and muscle damage to his pelvis and soft tissue bleeding of the spine.

Indeed his back injuries are quite severe with end plate fractures of L3 and L4 plus transverse processes of L3, L4 and L5. Due to these fractures the Greyabbey man will have to wear a back brace for up to four months to ensure no further damage is done although MRI scans have confirmed that there is no damage to the spinal cord and he will make a full recovery in time.

Kirk has now been flown home and is being looked after at home whilst being treated as an outpatient at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

Kirk

“Obviously I am gutted to be out of action and unable to take part in my title defence, it would have been a special year for me to run with the number one plate. I am especially disappointed to be missing the North West 200 and the opportunity to ride for Ryan Farquhar’s KMR team. I can only apologise for letting my sponsors, team and supporters down and thank them all for their support over the past few weeks, they have shown great loyalty to me during this time.

It was a big crash and when you get caught up with a bike you are always going to sustain injuries, especially at that speed. I feel sorry for Dave Bell who I collected when I crashed and can only apologise for the damage I did to him and his machine.

I spent the second half of my time in hospital in a spinal injury ward which put things into perspective. I am still in a lot pf pain and have a long recovery ahead of me but I have been very fortunate not to be left with permanent damage to my spine.

I will be out of the whole of the 2012 season and can only concentrate on getting myself back to full fitness over the coming months. I will make a decision on my racing future once this is completed.

I would just like to thank everyone who has helped me and continues to help and support with my recovery and also thank the wider motorcycling fraternity for all the well wishes I have received, it has been overwhelming.

Kirk

Kirk attended the 2012 RPM launch at UTV’s Havelock House at the weekend where their new presenters were unveiled for this year’s programming. Along with Alan Carmichael and his rally car the Jim Angus Contracts BMW provided the setting whilst Toni Kelly (4 wheels) and Karen Feeney (2 wheels) provided the glamour!

Karen will once against front the Adelaide Masters Series for RPM this year which kicks off on 21st April at Mondello Park in Co Naas.

Quickly up to speed on his Bridgestone shod Superstock machine Jamison then opted to try his hand at his new venture for 2012. Kirk got the chance to hop on Jamie Hamilton’s KMR ER6 Supertwin for a few laps to give him a taste of what lies ahead for him in May at the International North West 200. For one event only Kirk will join KMR team owner Ryan Farquhar and two team mates Jamie Hamilton and Jeremy McWilliams in a four pronged KMR assault on the inaugural Supertwins race at the Triangle circuit.

“The BMW hasn’t really changed for 2012, if it isn’t broke don’t fix it as they say! With that said it was still invaluable to get a few more miles under my belt ahead of my first race at Croft at the end of this month. I am confident we still have a winning package and will be looking for top steps from the off.

Massive thanks to Ryan for the chance to sample one of his beautiful ER6′s, it was really easy to ride and superb fun. I only completed a few laps on Jamie’s machine but it was still enough to confirm I made the right decision to join up with Ryan for KMR. I look forward now to getting a proper test prior to the North West and seeing ow competitive I am in comparison to my team mates.”

Kirk now heads to Croft for the NEMCRC’s 50th Anniversary meeting which incorporates the prestigious Ken Redfern Trophy race, Kirk previously lifted the famous trophy in 2006 and 2008.

Teaming up with regular riders Ryan Farquhar and Jamie Hamilton, Kirk and Jeremy McWilliams will make one off appearances in the Supertwins race on KMR ER6 Kawasakis.

The event which takes place on the Thursday of race week (17th May) has attracted a star studded line up and is sure to be a welcome addition to the programme for spectators.

Farquhar “Kirk is one of Northern Ireland’s best short circuit racers at present and although the North West 200 is a different ball game, I’m confident he’ll give a good account of himself.”

Jamison ““I have watched the Supertwins class grow with interest over the past few years and knew as soon as the class was announced for the North West, that I wanted to be on the grid. For me there was only one option of who to ride for and I am absolutely over the moon that Ryan was able to offer me a deal. It will be a tough race with a lot of top riders on the grid, not least all three of my KMR team mates, but I have the best machinery for the job – so hopefully I can achieve a decent result for the team. Jeremy McWilliams has already proven the KMR ER6 and Bridgestone R10 combination is very successful, after winning at last year’s Sunflower Trophy Races at Bishopscourt, so I cannot wait to get out testing and hopefully continue that trend. ”

Kirk will still enter the Superstock and Superbike races on his Jim Angus Contracts BMW.

Many thanks to the band for their entertainment, the KJRSC for all their input including Mark Simpson for organising the bus and doing the door. Thanks to the Fallen Heroes MCC for their help running the event and to Alastair Seeley for his appearance.

Kirk was presented with a special award on the night in recognition of his 2011 achievements, a fantastic mirror etched with a picture of Kirk on his BMW and a list of his successes.

Kirk “I cannot thank the Club enough for this presentation, it is absolutely stunning and is something I will treasure for a long long time. Thank you to everyone involved.”

Keep checking the website for the next KJRSC event likely to be a night of the races in April.

This time the award has come from his home Borough of Ards as he has been nominated for the Ards Borough Sports Person of the Year 2011. The winner will be announced at an awards bash on Friday 9th March in the Queens Hall Newtownards.

Kirk “To receive another nomination for my achievements is really humbling, to be recognised by my local Borough and somewhat outside the motorcycling world makes it extra special. I have already been recognised through a reception with Mayor Oswald late last year and I really wasn’t expecting anything else.

Obviously it would be fantastic to win such an award but just to be nominated for things like this makes all the hard work seem worth while. I would like to thank everyone who nominated me for the award and am looking forward to the occasion.”

Along with long time rival Brian McCormack Kirk chatted on stage about his 2011 titles, his plans for 2012 and the success of the relatively new series. One major change which convinced Kirk to defend his title is the news that a round will be held North of the border this year at Kirk’s favourite circuit Bishopscourt.

Kirks Masters defense begins on 21st & 22nd April at Mondello Park, for details visit www.mondellopark.ie

Admission is again kept at the low price of £5 per head with doors open at 8pm and the band beginning shortly after 9pm. The entertainment this year is being provided by The Juke Box Jurors and there will also be a large selection of great prizes on the night.

Also confirmed is that the newly crowned Enkalon Motorcyclist of the Year and 2011 British Supersport Champion Alastair Seeley will be there on the night so come along for a brilliant nights craic. 

www.thejukeboxjurors.com – Visit the band’s site to hear a sample of their music

www.marinecourthotel.net – Visit the Marine Court’s website for accomodation or directions

First up was the MCUI UC awards in the La Mon Hotel on January where Kirk received his coveted MCUI medals for the Ulster & Irish Superbike and Irish Superstock Championships.

Two weeks later it was time for the Adelaide Motorcycle Awards in the Ramada Hotel where Kirk was to receive his Adelaide Masters Trophy.

On top of that Kirk was nominated for the Short Circuit Rider of the Year (eventually won by World Superbike star Eugene Laverty) and Motorcycle Rider of the Year (won by Alastair Seeley). Finishing in the top six for Motorcyclist of the year meant Kirk was introduced on stage with the cream of Irish Motorcycling talent and got his hands on the famous Joey Dunlop trophy albeit for a couple of minutes!

Kirk – “It has been a great month and it was a real honour to be in the top six for the Enkalon Irish Motorcyclist of the year. I have some lovely new additions to the trophy cabinet and had two great nights out with my team and supporters.

It is always nice to receive recognition for your achievements so thank you to everyone who voted for me over the winter and supported me in my quest to win those titles. The 2011 celebrations are over now though and it is time to concentrate on 2012 and working towards more trophies this time next year.”

The good news just keeps coming at the minute as I have just learned that I am one of the fifteen nominees for the 2012 Enkalon Motorcyclist of the Year!
I’m under no illusion that I don’t stand a chance of lifting the award but to be nominated amongst such big names is a real honour.

The fifteen nominees are: -
Kirk Jamison
Martin Barr
Andrew Brady
John Burrows
Michael Dunlop
William Dunlop
Keith Farmer
Ryan Farquhar
Jack Kennedy
Eugene Laverty
Michael Laverty
Ian Lowry
Jonathan Rea
Alastair Seeley
John Simpson

You can vote for your favourite at www.adelaidemotorcycleawards.com