ARMOY GEARS UP FOR RACE DAY

The Coleraine Skip Hire & Recycling backed event boasts a 10 race programme and takes place this Saturday.

Roads close at 10am sharp on Saturday morning and will re-open again by 7pm. Practice Day is Friday with roads closing from 2.30pm to 9pm to allow competitors to undertake untimed and timed laps per session.

New for 2010 is a specially designed and constructed chicane located on the Hillside Road before the first bend of the course after the start/finish area. Clerk of Course Bill Kennedy said he is extremely pleased with this new safety improvement which will help reduce competitor speed at a particularly fast stretch of the circuit. M.C.U.I. Roads Inspection Committee gave formal approval for the chicane at the weekend. Explained Bill, “The new chicane – now a permanent feature - was part of a range of ongoing safety improvements including additional safety bales and pole protectors and I’m delighted with the results. I’d like to thank the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Minister Nelson McCausland, 2&4 Wheel Motorsport Group and Sport Northern Ireland for their funding and support for this new safety initiative.”

Bill said he was pleased with the quality line-up of riders which includes 53 newcomer, set to take part in this the second ‘Race of Legends.’ The hard working race chief went on to outline details for Race Day: “Since entries closed earlier in July our committee has been hard at work with final event preparations ensuring we have everything in place for this week-end. Several races have been over-subscribed and for these races during practice sessions, two groups will be run and the fastest 27 qualifiers will line up on Race Day. If there are enough non-qualifiers and time permits the Armoy Club aims to run an additional race as a bonus for both riders and spectators.”

Top competitors set to grace the grid line include popular Scots man Keith Amor and Czech rider Michael Dokoupil. Local names taking part include Ryan Farquhar, Ballymoney’s Adrian Archibald and Paul Robinson, John Burrows and brothers Michael and William Dunlop who will be joined by cousin Sam. Whilst Englishman Guy Martin has originally planned compete at Armoy, he will be on duty at Brands Hatch as will ‘Down Under’ rider Cameron Donald who had considered debuting the Race of Legends.

“Our newly introduced Cross-border Championship, supported by Adelaide Insurance Services and Coleraine Skip Hire, remains a vital part of our programme and these Championship races will generate a 4,800 prize fund. Unfortunately due to persistent rain at the Kells Road Race the first leg of the Championship was abandoned. However the Armoy leg is now even more exciting with the 600cc Supersport, the Open and the Senior Support winners claiming the Cross Border bonuses.”

Organised by the Armoy Road Racing Club, Bill and his team have been working round the clock as Race Day beckons. “As expected safety is our top priority and we have a full Event Safety Plan created and my team colleague Alastair Glass has been diligently organising an extensive number of safety bales and kerb protectors which will be placed throughout the 3 mile course. Bales have been sourced from NW200 organisers, Coleraine & District Motor Club, the M.C.U.I. (Ulster Centre) and the Mid-Antrim Motor Club and we would like to thank everyone for their help and support.

Bill went on to thank the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Moyle District Council and lead sponsor Coleraine Skip Hire & Recycling without whom the event could not have been staged. “It’s been a pleasure working alongside Coleraine Skip Hire MD Packie Laverty and his team. I know as a local man Packie was right behind us in our efforts to get this event up and running particularly as he personally knew some of the ‘Armada’ riders.

“Armoy is located in the beautiful Moyle District Council region and we’re delighted the Council is once again on board and would like to thank councillors and staff for the cash funding and in kind support they’ve provided.”

The Club has produced an A4 glossy programme which is on sale priced at 10 and features details on all races, rider profiles and interesting facts about the legendary Armoy Armada. Programme purchase also includes free car-parking in an official AMRRC car park and these are located

close to the circuit and are clearly signposted. Additional car parking is available throughout the area priced 5 per car whilst motorbike parking costs 3 per bike.

The 2010 programme is available from the following outlets; The Garage, Armoy, JSC Builders Merchants, Gracehill Road in Armoy, the Golden Plough Garage, Centra Store and Garage in Ballymoney, Eurospar in Ballycastle. The programme can also be purchased from individual private sellers.

A prize giving ceremony will be held in the VIP Marquee approximately 45 minutes after the final race.