Armoy Press Release 23rd June 2010
Riders set to make their Armoy Road Race debut this year on Saturday August 7th include Co Waterford competitor Brian McCormack, Crumlin’s Stephen Thompson and Ballygowan man Michael Pearson. Making a return visit to the picturesque course are Dungannon riders Ryan Farquhar and John Burrows, North West 200 125cc super hero Paul Robinson, 4 times Bush Road Races winner William Dunlop, past TT and NW200 winner Adrian Archibald and Czech star Michael Dokoupil. 2009 Armoy winners Michael Dunlop and Wayne Hamilton will also be joining the grid line up as well as local man Sam Dunlop.
Following the launch in April of the new Kells / Armoy Cross Border Championship, organisers, Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club anticipate additional names signing up before entries close on Friday 9th July. Scottish rider and 2010 NW200 star Keith Amor has indicated that he is keen to compete at the Armoy and the injured Guy Martin had also thrown his ‘helmet’ into the ring some months ago and Armoy is still on his racing schedule according to Guy’s website. Guy’s fellow Lincolnshire rider Gary Johnston is also aiming to compete at both Armoy and Kells on 18th July.
The Armoy Road Race made its debut last August and will once again act as the finale to the 2010 Ulster Championship season. Affectionately known as ‘The Race of Legends’ the race set on the edge of the majestic Glens of Antrim, commemorates the skills and talents of four legendary riders who hailed from the Armoy region - Jim Dunlop, Frank Kennedy, Joey Dunlop and Mervyn Robinson famously referred to as the ‘Armoy Armada.’ The ‘Race of Legends’ aims to recapture some of the fervour and nostalgia of those heady road racing days during the 1970’s, yet deliver a safe, exciting and modern Race Day programme complementing Ireland’s world famous national and international road races.
Launched today at the Bayview Hotel, Portballintrae, the Armoy Club welcomed top road racers , Ryan Farquhar, William Dunlop, John Burrows, Brian McCormack, Paul Robinson, Wayne Hamilton and Sam Dunlop. Event organisers, Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club also announced the event’s main 2010 sponsor Coleraine Skip Hire & Recycling headed up by local man Packie Laverty. The managing director of the successful waste management company backed the inaugural event last year and was absolutely delighted with the profile of the race and its impact and decided to throw his weight behind this year’s race. “I’ve followed road racing for many years and was personally thrilled that the Armoy introduced the race in 2009 as a fitting tribute to the Armoy Armada and particularly the three racers who are no longer with us. I’d like to congratulate the Club on their achievements to date and wish them the very best for Saturday 7th August.”
Clerk of Course Bill Kennedy outlined details of race programme plans and also thanked main sponsor Coleraine Skip Hire & Recycling, event partner Moyle District Council, Sport Northern Ireland, 2&4 Wheel Motorsport Group, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and all race sponsors. “We had a fabulous response to last year’s first ever race and I’m thrilled that all our sponsors have come back on board and that we’ve had such wonderful support from Sport NI, Moyle District Council, local businesses and of course the competitors themselves. I’d particularly like to thank Packie Laverty of our main sponsor Coleraine Skip Hire & Recycling for having the confidence to once again back the event and of course all our individual sponsors without whose support the race would simply not happen.”
“I would also like to pay tribute to Lester and Aileen Ferguson for all their work in setting up the Cross-Border event. I believe all our efforts will pay off and it will add a truly international edge to both our race events.” Bill went on to thank Cross-Border event sponsors motorcycle insurance specialist Adelaide Insurance Services and waste management company Coleraine Skip Hire & Recycling. Sam Geddis, Director of Adelaide Insurance Services said,”Motorcycling is a sport that genuinely has no boundaries throughout Ireland and we’re delighted to increase Adelaide’s involvement in this cross border initiative.”
The organisers have drawn up a 10 race schedule with roads closing at 10am on Saturday 7th August and re-opening 6.30pm at the latest. Practice is set for Friday 6th August with roads closing from 3pm until 9.30pm. The Armoy Club is also working closely with 2 & 4 Wheel Motorsport Group on a number of safety measures including the construction of a new chicane on the Hillside Road and additional safety bales used throughout the course. Other course improvements include the removal of hedging, an increased number of prohibited areas, removable fencing erected and the creation of extra designated spectator zones.
The Armoy circuit is just over 3 miles and each race will number 8 laps with a 10 lap Grand Final. Prize money has also been increased for this year’s meeting with £1500 on offer for the final ‘Race of Legends’ and improved monies for 2nd 3rd and 4th riders. £600 is also up for grabs for the winner of the Moyle 600cc Supersport race with increased prize money available for the both the Junior Support and the Supertwins classes. The Stoneyford Concrete Open Race boasts a top prize fund of £2,050 and additional cash prizes include £500 for the Man of the Meeting sponsored by local man Paul McAuley, as well as ‘Fastest Lap’ bonuses. An additional prize fund of £4,950 is also available for the ‘Cross Border Championship’ feature races which include the Open, the Moyle Supersport and the Senior Support Race. Organisers are in the process of preparing an A4 glossy programme and the team will also be marketing a range of race merchandise.
Moyle District Council is proud to be associated with Armoy Road Race and Chairman of the Council Cllr Pryce McConaghy said, “We are pleased to contribute to the event and to work closely with Club members. We appreciate all their hard work and commitment to the Race and believe the event will help contribute to the region’s local economy as well as attracting more tourists from outside Northern Ireland. We wish organisers a safe day’s racing and look forward to welcoming spectators and competitors to our beautiful Moyle region.”
The Armoy Road Race takes place on Saturday 7th August with roads closing at 10am and re-opneing at 6.30pm. Practice takes place on Friday 6th August with roads closed from 3pm to 9.30pm. For more information visit
www.amrrc.com.
