Star-studded line-up take to the grid at the Armoy Road races
Michael Dunlop among the big name racers as organisers prepare for memorable event
By Aaron O’Neill
Tomorrow marks the ninth meeting of the Armoy Road Races. The biggest names in motorcycling will compete for honours at the Irish National road racing event, staged in the North Antrim village.
Practice sessions are scheduled for today (12:30pm) with two races taking place on Friday evening. The main event takes place tomorrow and roads are set to close around the circuit at 10am.
Clerk of the Course, Bill Kennedy said: “I am looking forward to the Armoy Road Races. It has been a hard year of preparation and hard work has gone into organising the event and thankfully everything is coming together, which is great.”
The village itself is steeped in motorcycling folklore as it was the home of the world famous, Armoy Armada. Joey Dunlop, Mervyn Robinson, Frank Kennedy and Jim Dunlop spearheaded one of Ireland’s most feared groups of riders.
Today, Armoy pays homage to one of the closest contested road races on the Road Racing calendar and it has been an undoubted success among the motorcycle racing fraternity.
Kennedy said, “I don’t know whether it’s because of the history that Armoy has with road racing but the event has really taken off and we are very fortunate that we can still attract the biggest names in racing to the event.”
With around seven different classes of riders competing around the 3.03 mile circuit, there will be a lot of competition for podium places come race day.
In recent years, Supersport, Supertwin and Superbike classes have all been closely contested affairs and this year is expected to be no different as riders such as Derek McGee, William Dunlop, Paul Jordan, Michael Sweeney and young talent Adam McLean amongst some of the high profile names confirmed.
Seasoned campaigner, Ian Lougher, is set to compete in the 125GP/Moto3 class. Lougher is making his debut at Armoy and should surely prove to be stiff opposition for Gary Dunlop and co. Ballymoney man Daryl Tweed will be fancied for a podioun position in the Lightweight 400/450 class. Tweed has enjoyed a successful season so far, having enjoyed success on the National scene as well as the Southern 100.
Michael Dunlop confirmed his participation in the event and is set to make his first appearance on the Irish National road racing scene for 2017 as he bids to continue his successful streak of victories in the blue ribbon, Race of Legends.
Bill Kennedy admitted that the Armoy Road Racing club welcomed the news, “We are absolutely delighted to have Michael back again this year, his brother William will also be competing as well as the other regular competitors on the road racing scene.”
Cookstown BE Racing’s Derek Shiels is set to miss the Armoy road races due to unforeseen circumstances. Shiels has been one of the front runners at all of the National events so far. It was hoped that the Armoy club and team boss John Burrows could reach an agreement to have Shiels on the grid for Saturday’s showdown but it wasn’t to be.
Kennedy said, “I’m a massive fan of Derek’s but circumstances just doesn’t allow it to happen as he has a wedding on Friday. We are all disappointed that he can’t be here, he is a great talent and a fine man, a real gentleman.”
With less than 24 hours to go, final preparations are being put in place by event organisers to ensure the safety of both riders and spectators. Organisers have urged spectators to get down to Armoy as it is set to be a memorable day of racing and entertainment.