jer we go

The news was confirmed yesterday at the official launch of the country’s fastest-growing national meeting, which will once again be sponsored by RiverRidge Recycling.

McWilliams, who claimed his maiden road race victory in the Supertwin class at the North West 200 in May, will ride a Kawasaki ER6 prepared by class ambassador Ryan Farquhar and backed by SGS International.

Former 250c and 500cc Grand Prix world championship rider McWilliams made the decision to contest his first national road race after completing a parade lap at Armoy in 2012.

“Armoy is a really exciting circuit. I thoroughly enjoyed the parade lap and the whole event at Armoy last year,” said McWilliams.

“It took me back to when I was a teenager going to the road races and reminded me of the much-loved heritage of the sport, its great atmosphere, the brilliant buzz and fantastic road racing.”

McWilliams, who is Jack Kennedy’s boss in the Rivamoto Honda World Supersport team, said he was indebted to Farquhar and SGS International for their support in facilitating his appearance at the ‘Race of Legends’.

“Ryan was good enough to help me but SGS International has pulled out all the stops to secure the KMR Kawasaki,” he said.

“The North West this year has given me a real taste for the roads and I’m really looking forward to July and giving Armoy a go.”

Armoy clerk of the course, Bill Kennedy, said McWilliams’ entry at Armoy underlined the event’s current status as a major occasion on the road racing calendar.

“The club and I are really excited about this year’s race. We’ve grown from strength to strength in four short years and McWilliams’s participation is testament to our standing in the national road-racing calendar,” he said.

“Last year Jeremy spoke to me after the parade lap and I think if he could’ve raced there and then he would have.

“We are absolutely delighted that he’s racing along with many other great road racers at Armoy this year,” added Kennedy.,

Isle of Man TT star Michael Dunlop dominated the Armoy meeting last year and the Honda rider remains the man to beat again next month.

Dunlop is set to ride his Honda TT Legends Superbike at the Southern 100 in July and again at the Ulster Grand Prix, although it remains to be seen whether or not he will have a run out on the factory bike at Armoy.

William Dunlop hopes to ride the Milwaukee Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike at his home race, which takes place on Saturday, July 27.

The list of races and sponsors are:

• Junior Support – Armoy Homes & The Mermaid Club

• 125 GP – The Bayview Hotel

• 600 SuperSport – Moyle District Council

• Junior Classics – Ballymoney Borough Council

• Superbike Open Race – SGS International

• Senior Classics – Armoy Supporters Club and G&G Ross Quarries

• 250cc – Centra, Ballymoney

• 400cc – Diamond Bar

• 450 Moto – JW Hickinson & Co

• Senior Support – Armoy Construction & Park Electrical Services

• 650 SuperTwins – Roadside Garage, Vauxhall

• Race of Legends – RiverRidge Recycling

• Man of the Meeting – (PMA) Paul McAuley

• Support man of the meeting – McClaffertys Bar