The North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club Ltd is delighted to Launch the 54th Around A Pound Tandragee 100 on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd May 2014.
Ryan Farquhar, Keith Amor, William Dunlop, Sam Dunlop, Dan Kneen, Micko Sweeney, Club Member Shaun Anderson, Derek McGee and Jamie Hamilton are just some of the stars you can expect to see on Friday 2nd and Saturday 4th May 2014.
Entries also include regulars such as Davy Morgan (on an ex-MD Honda), Paul Cranston, Seamus Elliott, Andy Farrell, Sam Wilson, Dave Hewson, Wayne Kirwan, Denis Booth, Nigel Moore, Paul Robinson, Warren Reeve, Wayne Hall, Robert McCrum, John Scott, Freddie Stewart, Damien Horan, Dave Brough, Barry Davidson, Philip Shaw, Club Members Stephen Davison, Anthony McColgan, Michael Larkin, Gary Hutton and Joe Lockhart, etc.
Some of the up and coming stars include James Cowton, James Kelly, Mark Hanna, Shane Egan, Gareth Keys, Connor Behan and Alan Bonner, etc who could perhaps upset some of the regulars. There will also be three female competitors on the grid –Yvonne Montgomery, Sarah Boyes and Suzanne Douglas. Much loved Italian rider, Dario Cecconi (who thinks of Tandragee as his ‘home’ circuit) will be joined for the first time this year by his fellow countryman Davide Ansaldi.
Despite the fact, that one of the crowd’s favourite riders is missing from the grid this year, Michael Dunlop, who is riding at Oulton Park the same weekend, the bumper Tandragee 100 Entry list is one of the best in years. The Tandragee 100 Course was, in 2013, voted 4th Best Road Racing Course in the World (only the TT, Macau & UGP came higher) and so with over 305 rider entries this year from Northern Ireland, South of Ireland, England, Scotland, Isle of Man and Europe and with roughly 30 circuit newcomers, this is proof that road racing is still very much alive and kicking in the shallow hills of County Armagh!
As always costs have risen this year however we are delighted to be able to offer a prize fund of over £11,100! All the races this year will be Irish/Ulster Championships Races with the exception of the First Open Race which will be a non-championship event.
Ryan Farquhar and Keith Amor are coming out of retirement this season with the ultimate aim of returning to competition at the Isle of Man TT, where Farquhar and Amor will ride the KMR Kawasaki Supertwin machines under the SGS International banner.
Farquhar is the most successful national road racer in history, notching a staggering 199 victories throughout his career. The 37-year-old has the chance to reach a landmark 200th win at Tandragee on May 3rd, but Farquhar says extending that record isn’t at the top of his agenda. “I’m not even thinking about the 200 wins, if it happens, it happens, but if not I won’t be disappointed,” he said. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Hopefully the weather will be good on the day.” He will ride the KMR/SGS Kawasaki 1000, KMR/SGS Kawasaki 600 and the KMR/SGS Kawasaki 400 at Tandragee and will also take the opportunity to chalk up some laps on Roger Winfield Gears 500 Paton in the Classic race ahead of his debut at the Classic TT in August. Farquahar stated “I’ve always enjoyed racing there and it’s probably the best national road racing course there is. If your bike works at Tandragee then it’ll pretty much work anywhere.” “Myself and Keith have had some hard races at Tandragee in the past but I just want to go out and enjoy myself,” he added. “There’s no pressure and we’re going there mainly to get track time. It’ll be another race under our belts for our course license for the Isle of Man TT.”
Amor, who remains a big hit with the Ulster fans following his memorable battles with Farquhar at the national meetings in the past, will also contest the Supersport class this year on a 600cc Rigdeluge Honda for Site Sealants B&W Racing. Amor will line up for the Supertwin and Supersport races as the 41-year-old – who retired at the end of 2011 due to a shoulder injury – makes his first appearance at Tandragee since 2009 when he secured, on the Wilson Craig Honda, 2nd place to Michael Dunlop and just ahead of Ryan in the Millside Engineering Supersport race, 2nd place to Ryan in the Tayto Junior Open race and he pipped Ryan for the win in the Around-A-Pound Tandragee 100 race.
William Dunlop the 28 year old road racer from Ballymoney, has always had a passion for road racing, after all he grew up in a Dunlop household! William will ride in the 125cc class where he will come up against the likes of his cousin, Sam Dunlop, who is the reigning 125cc Irish Road Race Champion, Nigel Moore, Sam Wilson, Paul Robinson and Warren Reeve.
Dan Kneen from Douglas, Isle of Man and Skerries’s Michael Sweeney will both be competing under the experienced John Burrows’ BE Racing Team banner. 26-year-old Dan Richard Kneen, who will be making his debut at the Tandragee 100 course this year, became in 2008 the first rider to win a hat-trick at the Manx Grand Prix. Kneen was fourth in the 2009 Metzeler National Superstock 600cc Championship and second in the 2010 British Supersport Cup. He has also performed well at the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix, where he became the fastest newcomer in history in 2010, lapping at 129.25mph.
The Braddan rider remains one of the brightest young talents in road racing and the triple Manx Grand Prix winner will be looking to get back to the form that saw him challenge for the podium at the TT in both 2011 and 2012. Having lapped at over 127mph in the Superbike category, and over 125mph in the Supersport division, as well as taking six top ten finishes and picking up 13 silver replicas, the move to the new team should see Dan right at the forefront of the results.
Riding for the team owned and run by former racer John Burrows, Kneen will have a full assembly of machinery at his disposal including the ex-TAS Suzuki Superbike and a brand
new 600cc Honda built to World Supersport specification. Kneen will also have selected outings on Burrows’ Kawasaki Supertwin whilst also retaining the use of the Marks Bloom Charted Accountants/Wemoto 1000cc Suzuki Superstock machine. Speaking about the year ahead, a happy Kneen said: "I'm delighted to be joining John Burrows' team. I feel John and his crew will provide me with everything I need to challenge for international podium finishes and his bikes will be as good as anything around. In previous years I've had to take care of all the machine preparation myself but this year I will be able to concentrate solely on the racing, I'm going to have a great opportunity to show what I can do and I'm really looking forward to mixing it up at the front.” "Top three finishes at the TT are the main aim but I'll be looking for top results too when I come to Ireland. I don't know any of the national circuits but John's experience will be a great help at all the places that are new to me and I'm confident I can put on a good show everywhere. A big thanks to John for putting his faith in me and also to Marks Bloom for their continued support."
Ever popular Skerries man ‘Micko’ Sweeney, remains a big hit with the fans both sides of the border, following his fantastic Manx Grand Prix Win in 2013 Piloting a Yamaha YZF-R6. The Irishman emulated his 2010 Junior MGP victory with a dramatic last lap victory after race leader James Cowton ran out of fuel on the last mile. Sweeney, in 2013 was also 2nd in both the Irish and Ulster 250 GP Championship and 3rd in both the Irish Superbike and Supertwins Championships. Sweeney at Tandragee in 2013 had a 2nd place in the Sally McNally’s 250 GP race and a 5th place in the tightly fought Emerald Road Racing Magazine Supersport race.
The Club is also delighted that Minister Danny Kennedy and the local DRD Roads Service have been supportive of the event once again and have re-surfaced from the Start/Finish area on the Drumnamether Road all the way to Marlacoo Corner (the junction on the Armagh Road) and also most of the way from Cooley Hill Crossroads along the Markethill Road towards Bells Crossroads. This means that over the last 3 or 4 years almost the entire length of the course (5.3 miles of country ‘B’ roads) has been re-surfaced which will not only improve competitor safety but also the condition of the roads for the local residents and the public in general. Burrows commented “I had a run round the track and it’s a credit to the Club, never seen the track in as good a shape...looking forward to it”.
Shaun Anderson, North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club Member, is probably one of the most underrated riders here in Ireland, but his performances speak for themselves, in only his second time at IOM TT, Shaun brought home a TT Replica for lapping just over 125 mph! As well as the 600cc and 100cc machinery Shaun hopes to be able to turn out on an Aprillia 450, the bike is currently being built by ex-racer Trevor Scott, and the project is an experiment for the roads. This popular privateer loves his home circuit and hopes to improve upon his performance in 2013 of 3rd in the People’s Race (Junior Open), 9th in the Emerald Supersport 600 Race and 5th in the Tandragee 100 Feature Race.
Jamie Hamilton is to ride for Wilson Craig Racing at the 2014 Tandragee 100. The 23-year old from Ballyclare will ride the Wilson Craig Racing Superbike, SuperStock and SuperSport machinery. Hamilton is a former British Superstock 600cc champion and was awarded the Best Newcomer prize at the 2012 TT. He won the Irish National Road Race Supersport and Supertwin Championships, dominating both classes by winning all the races he competed in. Hamilton was also voted the Motor Cycling Union of Ireland's most improved rider in 2013 and Ireland's Most Promising Road Racer 2013.
The youngster has developed a sound reputation and has high hopes for 2014, “For me it is a dream come true riding for Wilson Craig Racing. When I was a kid starting racing I would look at teams like Wilson Craig’s’ and think that I would love to be a part of that that setup and can now proudly say I am. I have on my helmet a logo DBA, dream it, believe it and achieve it and so far it seems to be working for me.”
“You can see over recent years Wilson has put out fast reliable bikes capable of winning, it’s great to have the opportunity and his support following the likes of Cameron Donald, William Dunlop and Guy Martin. I cannot thank Wilson and his team enough for giving me this opportunity and I hope for a very successful 2014.”
OFFICIAL RACE SPONSORS
The Club welcomes Gerry and Siobhan Rice of Around A Pound as our continuing overall race sponsors.
Around A Pound - This is a family run business formed in 1998. They deal mainly in discount soft goods and are based in Newry with outlets in Banbridge, Newcastle, Lurgan, Armagh and most recently in Warrenpoint. Gerard certainly is an enthusiast and is again supporting Michael Dunlop and for the first time fellow North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club Member Shaun Anderson in the 2014 season. Sincere thanks to Gerard and Siobhan Rice for their continuing support.
We would like to take this opportunity to offer thanks to Councillor Robert William Turner, Lord Mayor of Armagh City & District Council for hosting the Press Conference in the Navan Centre last night. Thank you Lord Mayor Turner.
Armagh City & District Council - have once again contributed substantially to the Race. Our thanks are due to the Godfrey McCartney, Regeneration and Development Committee and we are indebted to Lord Mayor Robert Turner, who is also a club member. Robert has been invaluable as always for his help and support. Also thanks are due to the Council Staff, particularly the Regeneration & Development Committee; David McKee (Technical Services); Sarah McGeary (Marketing) Cara Toner (Admin) for their on-going assistance.
Northern Ireland Tourist Board - have for the first time contributed significantly to the Race. Our thanks are due to the Jemma Snell, Johnathon Carter, Russell Whittaker and Michelle McKenna.
Mervyn Potts, an agricultural merchant specialising is fencing is sponsoring the British Red Cross for the event. Mervyn is also a longstanding supporter of the Club and the Tandragee 100.
We also welcome back Gareth George of Hudson Trailers NI who is kindly sponsoring the St John’s Ambulances for the second year.
Thanks also to the help of dedicated club members we have been able to put together what promises to be a first class event in 2014.
The other companies and individuals who have helped the Club, in either a financial or material way, to make the Tandragee 100 happen, are also greatly appreciated. In particular we’d like to acknowledge the Marshals and Flag Marshals without who we
couldn’t run the event. To these, and many others, the Club owes a great deal of thanks and if we have left anyone out we can only apologise.
For up to date information and news please visit our web site:
www.tandragee100.co.uk or Facebook or Twitter.
This year, for the second time, we will be broadcasting the race commentary live – spectators can use their smart phones or a PC to log on to
www.irishroadracers.com and keep up to date with the racing.
PARADE LAP
Many thanks to Adrian Craig for co-ordinating the impressive list of entries for the Parade Lap.
RACE 1
The opening race of the day will be the first People’s Race run by the North Armagh Club. The Club are very grateful to the many individuals who contributed to the Sponsorship of this Non-Championship Open Race for 201-1010cc machines.
The 37 entries include: Dan Kneen, Club Member Anthony (Paddy) McColgan, Wayne Kirwan, Jamie Coward, Stephen McIlvenna, Ivan Shanley, Dennis Booth, Paul Gartland, Club Member Shaun Anderson, Mark Hanna, Colin Stephenson, Jamie Hamilton, Adrian Logue, Stephen McKnight, Michael Sweeny, Davy Morgan, Connor Behan, Ryan Farquhar, Derek McGee, Paul Cranston, Andy Farrell, Seamus Elliott, Gavin Lupton, Shane Egan, Damien Horan, Dave Hewson, Alan Connor, Alan Bonner, Robert Cairns, James Kelly, etc.
RACE 2
The Junior Support Race for 201-400cc machines is sponsored by Portadown Recycling Ltd. Portadown Recycling offer a variety of facilities including skip hire for domestic use and to the construction industry. Thanks to Wesley Jamison and hopefully he has brought some flyers with him this evening.
The 47 entries include: Sarah Boyes, Richard Ford, Roy Beattie, Stephen Davison, Vic Allan, Thomas Craig, Aron Hatch, Wayne Hall, Brian Loughlin, Mick Jordan, Davie Black, Adrian Logue, George Scott, Sean Connolly, Brendan Glover, Derek Costello, Tommy Henery, Barry Sheenhan, Julian Kirk, William McElroy, Suzanne Douglas, Malcolm Love, Michael Larkin, Stephen (Cargo) Carr, Melvin Hollingsworth, John L Pemberton, Tommy Heaphy, Club Member Robert Cairns, Derek Wilkie, Stuart Rayner, Noel Bertram, Noel Murphy, Brian Coomey, James Christie, Damien Horgan, Stephen Morrison, etc.
RACE 3
Emerald Road Racing Magazine are the sponsors for the Supersport 600cc Race. David Hamilton and his partner Erin are making great strides with the magazine and we wish them continuing success. Thanks for the feature in their current issue.
The 40 entries include: Dan Kneen, Wayne Kirwan, Neil Lyons, Rodney Little, Davide Ansaldi, Stephen Mc Ilvenna, Keith Amor, Ivan Shanley, Dennis Booth, Paul Gartland,
Aron Hatch, Club Member Shaun Anderson, Mark Hanna, Derek Wilkie, Wayne Hall, Colin Stephenson, Jamie Hamilton, Thomas Maxwell, Eric Wilson, Sam Wilson, Dario Cecconi, Stephen McKnight, Michael Sweeney, Gareth Evans, Davy Morgan, Connor Behan, Derek Costello, Ryan Farquhar, Derek McGee, Paul Cranston, Andy Farrell, Seamus Elliott, Dave Hewson, Alan Bonner, Paul Jordan, Tom Robinson, James Kelly, etc.
RACE 4
The Phillip Riddell Memorial Classic Championship Race is sponsored by 21st Century Backcare. Under the banner of The 21st Century Backcare Raymond & Trevor who are sons of the late Dick Knox, long time Club President and motorcycle and motor car racer extraordinaire are again overall sponsors of the Classic Race which is divided into three classes that have been individually sponsored.
Up to 250cc Class sponsored by Donald McMorran, proprietor of Millside Engineering who has been a long time supporter of Tandragee and lives on the course on the Markethill Road. He has 30 years engineering experience making parts for the aircraft industry. He has also been known to produce precision parts for some of the riders over the years. (He is also renowned for the odd barbeque at the end of Race day).
The 9 entries include: Brian Mateer, Club Member Gary Hutton, Thomas Craig, Robert Wright, Trevor Stewart, Tom Frazer, Alexander McVicker, Allen Gibson and Philip Shaw.
Race for over 250cc – 350cc class is sponsored by R Heatrick Ltd a local building firm who we welcome again.
The 8 entries include: Sam Kinkead, Davie Hastings, Barry Davidson, Club Member Joe Lockhart, Jonathan Doran, Herbie Ronan, Sean Leonard and Tim Stephenson.
Race for over 350cc – 1000cc class is sponsored by William McCombe & Son who we welcome as sponsor for the second time in 2014.
The 14 entries include: Freddie Stewart, Gary Jamison, John Scott, Richard Ford, Jonny Miller, Martin Lyons, Paul Coward, Bob Price, John L Pemberton, Ryan Farquhar, Andy Farrell, Patrick Walker, Terence Anderton and Kevin Callan.
RACE 5
The City Autos Lightweight Race is open to 125cc grand prix machines. City Autos Ltd owned by club member, Ivor Hadden, has rightfully gained a reputation for carrying out work to the highest standard in a friendly manner. As always thank you Ivor.
The 16 entries include: Craig Gibson, Sarah Boyes, Malcolm Love, Paul Robinson, Warren Reeve, Philip Shaw, Sean Leonard, Nigel Moore, Mark McNeilly, William Cowden, Peter McKillop, Sam Dunlop, Mick Chatterton, Paul Jordan, Jack Sands and William Dunlop.
The 400cc Supersport Race is sponsored by Groucho’s Cafe Bar & Music Lounge the place to be in Richhill. The Club again welcomes proprietor Peter Lyness.
The 19 entries include: Stuart Rayner, Vic Allan, Stephen (Cargo) Carr, Derek Wilkie, Club Member Stephen Davison, Damien Horgan, Mick Jordan, Mark Shiels, Brian Loughlin, Club Member Robert Cairns, Club Member Anthony (Paddy) McColgan, Sam Wilson, Roy
Beattie, Robert Gordon, Yvonne Montgomery, Adrian Logue, Paul Maguire, Jerry Coleman and Martin Lyons.
The 450cc singles Race is also incorporated within this race and is in association with Trevor Warde Groupage situated in Newry, Co. Down. This company is a family run groupage service, and provides a high quality service to their customers. They operate a daily service from Belfast to Dublin and have a warehouse facility of over 14,000 sq ft. Many thanks to Trevor. The 2 entries are Seamus Elliott and Ryan Farquhar.
RACE 6
Tandragee Centra Irish Championship Senior Support Race for 401cc – 750cc machines will be sponsored this year by Tandragee Centra. Neville and Philip Woods are well known local businessmen trading as Centra on the Portadown Road, Tandragee, on the Dobbin Road, Portadown and as SuperValue in Richhill.
The 30 entries include: Rodney Little, Thomas Maxwell, Sarah Boyes, John Cahill, Neil Lyons, Davide Ansaldi, Aron Hatch, Club Member Robert Cairns, Aaron Boyd, Yvonne Montgomery, Derek Wilkie, Stephen Gowan, Wayne Hall, Mick Jordan, David Holland, Adrian Logue, George Scott, Dario Cecconi, Derek Costello, Julian Kirk, Ian Simpson, Noel Carroll, Stephen (Cargo) Carr, William Hara, Neil Kernohan, Michael Hoey, Tom Robinson, Brian Coomey, James Christie and Michael Larkin.
RACE 7
This year Tayto NI Ltd, who are our longest standing sponsor, are the sponsors of the 650cc twins race and we welcome Mr Tayto tonight. Tayto (NI) Ltd whose products are well known not only the length and breadth of Ireland but all over the world, will again have Mr Tayto and their mobile unit at the event. Thanks again to Stephen Hutchinson and his marketing manager Bob Brown. This is a round of the Avon Tyres - Supertwins Road Race & Short Circuit Championship.
The 41 entries include: Mark Hanna, Dan Kneen, Sarah Boyes, Keith Amor, Jamie Coward, Ivan Shanley, James McCann, Paul Gartland, Club Member Shaun Anderson, Joe Phillips, Wayne Hall, Brian Loughlin, Jamie Hamilton, Davie Black, Brendan Flynn, Ian Morrell, Roy McClarnon, Sean Connolly, Stephen McKnight, Gareth Evans, Brendan Glover, Davy Morgan, Connor Behan, Derek Costello, Ryan Farquhar, Julian Kirk, Derek McGee, Andy Farrell, Gavin Lupton, Shane Egan, Melvin Hollingsworth, John L Pemberton, Tommy Heaphy, Nigel Howard, Stuart Rayner, Phillip Drennan, Noel Bertram, Noel Murphy, James Christie, Mark Shiels, Tim Stephenson and Ronnie Scott.
Incorporated in the full grid for this race is the 250cc GP Championship sponsored by Sally McNally’s. Sally McNally’s is a member of ‘The Taste of Ulster’ and promote quality, local produce. Proprietor John McNally is welcomed aboard this year for the first time.
The 9 entries include: Michael Sweeney, Seamus Elliott, Brian Mateer, Paul Robinson, Tommy Henry, Club Member Michael Larkin, Neil Kernohan, Sam Dunlop and Gareth Keys.
RACE 8
Around A Pound Tandragee 100 Senior Open Race, the final race of the day which is sponsored by our overall sponsor and this race will have prize money of over £2000. The winner will collect £1,000.
The 33 entries include: Dan Kneen, Paul Barron, Club Member Anthony (Paddy) McColgan, Wayne Kirwan, Jamie Coward, Stephen McIlvenna, Ivan Shanley, Paul Gartland, Club Member Shaun Anderson, Mark Hanna, Colin Stephenson, Jamie Hamilton, Eric Wilson, Adrian Logue, Stephen McKnight, Michael Sweeney, Gareth Evans, Davy Morgan, Connor Behan, Ryan Farquhar, Derek McGee, Paul Cranston, Andy Farrell, Seamus Elliott, Gavin Lupton, Shane Egan, Damian Horan, Dave Hewson, Alan Connor, Alan Bonner, Emmett Burke, Tom Robinson and James Kelly.
Competition
This year ONE of our Race Programmes will have a message somewhere inside. If yours is the winning programme it will contain details of how to collect your prize of VIP hospitality and an official Club Polo Shirt. Please support the event by buying a Programme and you’ll be in with a chance.
Awards
The Joe McKeown Memorial Trophy for the Best Classic Performance was introduced by Joe’s family last year for the first time. Joe was one of our most senior and longstanding members who sadly passed away and is sorely missed – he was a real character.
Andrew Milne has sponsored an award of £100 to the Man of the Meeting.
Simon Magee of Simon Magee Plumbing also contributed to this year’s increased prize fund.
PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OUR SPONSORS
Tandragee 100 Related Dates/Events
Tandragee 100 Supporters Club
On Sunday 13th April 2014 the Tandragee 100 Supporters Club, have organised a Ride Out and are holding a ‘Bike Display’ on Main Street, Tandragee on Monday 28th April 2014. Please contact any of the Supporters Club Officials for more details.
Injured Riders Sponsored Walk
On Sunday 27th April 2014 The Injured Riders Welfare Fund will be holding their Annual Walk of the Circuit to help raise finances & awareness of this fund. The walk will start at 14:00hrs (02:00pm) from Moyourkan Orange Hall, walking the entire 5.3 mile circuit and returning to the Hall for refreshments. A bicycle ride out has been organised by Michael Larkin in memory of his brother Stephen Larkin will run concurrently. For further details regarding this event please contact Mrs Sheila Sinton on 028 3884 1367 or 07780916107.
You should also contact Mrs Sinton if you require Disability Access Badge & Information for the Race Day.
