Armoy next on the agenda for road racing fraternity

This weekend the road racing fraternity heads for north Antrim and the tiny village of Armoy, near Ballymoney, for the eagerly-awaited meeting.
Guy Martin leads Michael Dunlop at last years Armoy races. Martin will be absent this year but Dunlop has confirmed his attendance. Picture: Roy Adams.Guy Martin leads Michael Dunlop at last years Armoy races. Martin will be absent this year but Dunlop has confirmed his attendance. Picture: Roy Adams.
Guy Martin leads Michael Dunlop at last years Armoy races. Martin will be absent this year but Dunlop has confirmed his attendance. Picture: Roy Adams.

The Race of Legends is always one of the best organised meetings of the year and despite the fact that it’s only 8 years old, it draws crowds from all over the British Isles and further afield.

I had hoped to have an entry list to look over the local riders, but sadly I haven’t been able to get hold of one. I do know that the 125GP/Moto3 race has a very strong field, thanks mainly to a lot of lobbying and hard work by the Armoy club members. Theres no doubt that some of the people within MCI are actively working to secure an end to2 stroke racing in Ireland, but Bill Kennedy and his team have gone the other way and worked towards filling a grid. It has paid off and we have the promise of a great race.

I know that William Dunlop has entered and on Monday, Clerk of the COurse Kennedy was also able to confirm Michael Dunlop’s attendance for his hometown meeting.

“Michael wasn’t sure whether he could make Armoy due to other commitments but we are absolutely delighted that he is joining us.

“He’s had some great wins this year, more recently four out of four at the Southern 100 and with wins at Walderstown and the Skerries and of course that great win at the Senior TT I’ve no doubt Michael will be on fine form at Armoy.”

I also hear that Guy Martin will not be there. These two not appearing will certainly be a blow to race organisers, but as far as I know we will have full grids in most of the other races. Don’t think it’s all about Michael and Guy.

Men like Derek McGee, Derek Sheils, Micko Sweeney, Davy Morgan, Paul Jordan, Neil Kernohan and Tommy Henry should all be entered and will all be wanting to give a good account of themselves for one reason or another.

“This is shaping up to be a really good event we’ve riders from all over the UK and the South and I am confident that we are going to see some exceptional road racing again this year. Of course it has been confirmed that Guy Martin can’t attend this year. He and the Tyco team have been great supporters of the Armoy Road Races and whatever Guy is doing presently we will always send him our good wishes, but let me reassure you that there still will be plenty of fine racing,” added Bill.

Road close on Friday for practice at 12.30pm, reopening before 9.30pm. Straight after that will be the Miss Armoy competition in the paddock marquee. On Saturday morning roads will close at 10am. They are due open again before 7.30pm.

Roy Adams