Ryan Farquhar and William Dunlop to race at Armoy

Northern Ireland’s youngest national road race, the Armoy Road Races, officially launched its RiverRidge Recycling ‘Race of the Legends’, at a reception at the Bayview Hotel in Portballintrae on the 19 June 2012.

Renowned local racing stars William Dunlop, Ryan Farquhar and Paul Robinson attended the launch along with Michael Sweeney. They joined the new Chairperson of Moyle District Council Councillor Sandra Hunter, Mayor of Ballymoney Borough Council, Councillor Ian Stevenson, members of the Armoy Club, other guests and sponsors including title “Race of Legends” sponsor, RiverRidge Recycling, to hear senior race officials talk about what Armoy Race Week 2012 has in store.

Clerk of the Course, Bill Kennedy addressed guests, “I think everyone will agree that Race Week 2011 saw some fantastic road racing. The Club and I are confident that we are going to see some exceptional road racing again this year.

“I’m delighted to say that both William Dunlop and Ryan Farquhar have confirmed their entry for the Armoy Road Races.

“Although we are one of the youngest national road races we pride ourselves in our road racing history, which goes back many years to the Armoy Armada and I’m delighted that our local riders are supporting our event.

“Along with Lisburn rider Michael Pearson, who is proving to be one of the most exciting riders in the present time, we are hoping for many more entries before the closing date on Monday 2nd July 2012.

“With riders like these and on the back of Farquhar and Dunlop’s fantastic TT wins this will surely set the pace for an exciting week at Armoy this year and, with a giant prize fund of £15,880.00, without a doubt it will be one of the best national road races in Ireland!”

Chairperson of Moyle District Council, Councillor Sandra Hunter, thanked the ARMCC for the kind invitation to the launch and said, “Road Racing is not an easy business but Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club have made it look exceptionally easy. This is the Club’s fourth year putting together this great event and I am happy to see how they’ve progressed and what they’ve managed to do for this part of the world. I have to say that Moyle District Council supports their endeavours 100%.”

Mr Brett Ross, Managing Director of RiverRidge Recycling, who was also present at the launch, said: “There is no doubt that road racing is part of the sporting and cultural fabric of this community and I am pleased that we can be a part of it. It is one of many events in the locality which aims to bring more people to the area and in doing so help the economy. I’m looking forward to a great week’s racing and will do all I can to support this event.”

Bill Kennedy concluded: “I’d like to finish by thanking Moyle District Council, Ballymoney Borough Council and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board for their generous support. I’d also like to thank our title sponsor RiverRidge Recycling. Without the support and sponsorship from these organisations and other sponsors present here today, the event wouldn’t be possible.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all the Club members, the officials and volunteers as we could not do it without them.”

For further information and updates on the Armoy Road Races, visit www.amrrc.com, search for ‘AMRRC’ on Facebook and join the official fan page and you can follow us on twitter at @ArmoyRoadRaces.