ALL-STAR CAST INARMOY PLEDGE

Isle of Man TT sensations Michael Dunlop and Ryan Farquhar, plus William Dunlop and Adrian Archibald have already pledged their support to the event and the organisers hope to confirm further star names ahead the entry deadline on Friday, July 9.

Scotsman Keith Amor has indicated that he is keen to make his debut at Armoy, while Lincolnshire star Guy Martin is a fan of the awesome Co Antrim course and has not ruled out a return after he competed at the inaugural meeting in 2009.

AIM Suzuki's Gary Johnson also hopes to confirm his entry at the 'Race of Legends,' which will be held on Saturday, August 7.

Experienced Dungannon rider John Burrows, plus North West 200 winner Paul Robinson and Czech rider Michal Dokoupil will join circuit newcomers Stephen Thompson, Michael Pearson and Brian McCormack on the Armoy grid.

Coleraine Skip Hire and Recycling was last week confirmed as the main sponsor of the event during the official Press launch at the Bayview Hotel in Portballintrae.

Clerk of Course Bill Kennedy said: "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 and Recycling for having the confidence to once again back the event and all our individual sponsors, without whose support the race would simply not happen."

Kennedy also expressed his gratitude to event partner Moyle District Council, Sport Northern Ireland, 2&4 Wheel Motorsport, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and race sponsors.

Mr Laverty, managing director of Coleraine Skip Hire, said he was more than willing to throw his support behind the Armoy races for a second year.

"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."

The Armoy meeting incorporates the decisive round of the new Cross-Border Championship, which is being held in conjunction with the Adelaide International Kells Roads Races in Co Meath, which will be held on Sunday, July 18.

An increased prize fund is up for grabs, with 1,500 for the feature 'Race of Legends' showdown plus 2,050 for the Stoneyford Concrete Open Race.

Riders will have the added incentive of the unique Cross-Border series, which features the Open, Supersport and Senior Support races and boasts a prize pot of 4,950.

A number of new safety improvements are also planned at Armoy this year including the construction of a chicane on the Hillside Road, which is being put in place to slow competitors down before the ultra-fast left-hand kink at the end of the start/finish straight.

Last year's Armoy meeting was overshadowed by the death of elderly spectator Hill McCook Snr (75) following a freak accident at that particular section of the course and the organising Armoy Club feels a chicane is essential to enhance rider and spectator safety.

Other safety improvements include the provision of additional safety bales and removable safety fencing, plus a higher level of prohibited areas and specifically designated spectator viewpoints.

The Armoy schedule includes a 10-race programme, with roads closing on race day, Saturday, August 7, at 10am.

Practice will be held on Friday, August 6, with roads closed from 3pm-9.30pm.