ARMOY ARMADAHONOUR FOR DUNLOP

Formed with the vision of honouring the memory of the Armoy Armada, the Armoy Motorcycle Club has paid tribute to Jim, who along with brother Joey, Mervyn Robinson, and Frank Kennedy placed Armoy on the global road racing map.

Jim was presented the honorary membership award at the launch of the 2013 RiverRidge Recycling Race of the Legends last week in Ballycastle.

Legends in Road Racing, the Armoy Armada dominated three seasons of racing from 1977 to 1979 and the memory of their dominance in the sport is celebrated every year at the world class Armoy Races.

Along with road racing brothers, Joey and Robert, Jim was born in Ballymoney. He has many achievements to his name and took part in the Isle of Man competitionsfrom 1977 to 1981.

On receiving the honourary life membership Jim Dunlop - the last of the Armada - said: “I was asked about five years ago by Kathleen Hartin what would I think of a road race in Armoy. I thought it would be great but I was never sure of its success. Look now it’s a roaring success and it’s a credit to them.”

Bill Kennedy, Chairman of the Armoy Club and Clerk of the Course, said: “It’s a real privilege to present this honorary life membership to Jim Dunlop. As an ambassador of the Armoy Armada he represents all that is good about the Armoy races.”