PEARSON SCOOPS RUSK TROPHY

D&GW Racing rider Michael Pearson, was awarded the Walter Rusk Trophy last weekend at the Motorcycle Union of Ireland Awards night near Belfast, after the Co-Down rider was named Most Improved Road Racer in 2011 by the Judging panel.
Pearson who first cut his racing teeth on the open roads in 2009, and who was crowned Irish Superbike Champion in 2007, has made steady progress through the last three seasons on the open roads, with his big bike battle with Michael Dunlop and Ryan Farquhar at last year’s Armoy Road Races, tipping the scales in Pearson's favor.
Speaking about his award, Pearson said, "I am delighted to have been awarded this prestigious award, and feel very honored to have been chosen as the 2011 winner.   Many great names are on the Trophy and I feel very honored to be alongside so many of them.  Unfortunately due to previous commitments I was unable to attend the evening to lift the award, but what a nice way to start of a new season".
The Rusk Trophy was dedicated to former great Walter Rusk, who was labeled the "Blonde Bombshell" in the early 1930's where he was Team mate to Stanley Woods in the Norton Team at the NW200 and Isle of Man TT Races.
Unfortunately, just before the outbreak of World War Two, Rusk joined the RAF as a student Pilot and died after his Hawker Hart plane crashed on a training exercise.