Faugheen 50 Motorcycle Road Race 2009

The 7th Annual Faugheen 50 Roadrace took place on Sat 25th and Sun 26th. Racers were given 5 practice laps each on Saturday, with weather holding fine making conditions on the track perfect for racing. The500cc and 1000cc Classic Championship part of Race 4 and the 401cc-750cc Support Non Championship Race 9 was held after Practice Saturday evening to complete a successful day with no delays or incidents.

With rain overnight and black clouds looming Sunday fingers were crossed that the rain would stay away, this didn’t deter the spectators however who were out in force in their wellies and raincoats. At the top the competition was fierce between Ryan Farquhar and the Dunlop brothers William and Michael.

Race 4: Classic 250cc-1000cc Championships
Sponsors: ‘Sponsor a Bale’
The 500cc and 1000cc part of this Race took place after Practice Saturday. The remaining 250cc and 350cc Classics took up the rear to complete the grid but their race will take place Sunday.
500cc
Billy Lyle took pole in this race leading the whole way round and finishing 30.459secs ahead of Gary Jamison. Trevor Rufus finished in 3rd after battling well with Freddie Stewart who finished in 4th.
1000cc
Mark Morgan was well ahead after the 1st and 2nd lap and won the race 9.726secs ahead of Mark Connolly. John Scott came in 3rd position 12.468 secs from the leader.

Race 9: Senior Support 401cc-750cc Non- Championship. Sponsor: Mossy Fitzgerald Tubby & Co.
Billy Byrne led the pack in this race until Benny Smith got the better of him in Lap 6. Benny held his lead in the 8 lap race getting him pole position. Billy came in second with Timmy Turtle who was using his late Brother in law Andrew Neils number 76 in third position.

Race 1: 250cc Junior Round of Two Stroke Racing Supporters Club Championship
Sponsors: Michael Keyes and Aidan Sullivan; Walsh’s Quarries; The Carraig Hotel
This race was run together with Race 8. All the Dunlops were competing in this race with no change in the results from practice yesterday. William Dunlop took 1st place, followed by brother Michael in second position only 1.159 secs behind. Barry Davison took 3rd with 3.075 secs down from the leader.

Race 8: 650cc Super Twin Irish Championship. Sponsors: South Western Group; Flemings Pub
This Race was held with Race 1 as the first race of the day on Sunday. Overnight rain proved not to have affected road conditions with Ryan Farquhar setting a new lap record of 1.24.593 on his Kawasaki 650 and taking pole position giving him a new record of 13 wins in Faugheen. John Burrows took 2nd position 32.417secs from Ryan, with Des Butler in 3rd. Again no change in results from practice yesterday.

Race 2: Support 401 – 750cc Championship Round of Daingean Motorcycle Supporters Club. Sponsors: Moneygall Construction; Kilkerian Cottage Restaurant: Moloneys Pub
Benny Smith and Billy Byrne battled it out in this race with no change in the result from both in practice yesterday. Benny took 1st with 2.073 secs from Billy. Gerard Daniel came up the leaderboard from practice yesterday where he was in 7th place to take 3rd today. William Davison took 4th 12.854 secs from the leader. Timmy Turtle again using the number 76 came 5th having been 3rd in practice yesterday.

Race 4: Classic 250cc-1000cc Championships
Sponsors: ‘Sponsor a Bale’
The 250cc and 350cc part of Race 4 was held Sunday morning with the 500cc and 1000cc Classics taking up the rear to fill the grid.
250cc
This was a 6 lap race with Barry Davidson in 1st 53.1118 secs ahead of Dave Brown. Alex McVicker was lapped to take 3rd position ahead of Greg McCarten.
350cc
Another 6lap race saw John Burrows take pole ahead of Trevor Rufas. Freddie Steward finished in 3rd place with Ed Manly retiring after the 4th lap.

Race 3: Open 201cc-1010cc Championship Round of Daingean Motorcycle Supporters Club.
Sponsor: West Cork Motorcycle Club
Rain caused a Red Flag on this race after one lap as the riders were on slick tyres. It cleared as soon as it started and the race was restarted after the Classic’s Race 4. Another Red Flag was raised 3 laps into the restarted race after an incident involving John Burrows and John Walsh but both riders were ok. The race was declared finished after three laps with half Championship points given. Ryan Farquhar was 1st 6.335 secs ahead of Michael Dunlop. William Dunlop finished in 3rd only 0.625 secs behind his brother. Club member Alan O’Dwyer came 11th 27.485 secs from the leader. Ryans 2nd win of the day brings his total wins in Faugheen to 14.

Race 6: Support 201cc to 400cc Championship. Sponsors: Topline Hardware; McBride Car Parts; M McGuire Machine Hire
In this 6 lap race Wayne Hamilton took the lead 1.332 ahead of Timmy Turtle after finishing 2nd in yesterdays practice. Gerard Daniel in 3rd a mere 0.046secs behind Timmy. Gerard had the fastest lap of the race at 1:27.343 however fell down the leaderboard today having finished 1st in practice yesterday.

Race 5: 600cc Championship. Sponsor: Grange Motorcycles in Memory of Dave Stembridge
We were glad to see John Burrows back on the grid for this race. Competition was fierce between Ryan Farquhar and the Dunlop brothers with Ryan taking his 3rd win of the day and bringing his total wins in Faugheen to 15. Ryan unofficially broke the lap record in practice yesterday but officially broke it today with a lap time of 1:16.248. Michael Dunlop moved up a position from Practice yesterday to come 2nd 16.187 secs ahead of brother William. Victor Gilmore moved up the leader board having finished 6th in Practice he came in 4th today.

Race 7: 125cc Championship. Sponsor: Friends of Andy McGrath
The Dunlop family battled it out between them in this 6lap race. No change in the result from practice yesterday with William Dunlop finishing ahead of Michael by 3.968secs. Their cousin Sam finished in 3rd place 11.182secs behind the leader. William set a new lap record with a time of 1:25.483.

Race 10: Faugheen’s Grand Final. Sponsor: Tara Chandeliers; Michael Phelan Transport Ltd; Kiltorgan Raceway
Riders were given 2 warm up laps ahead of an 8 lap race. Ryan Farquhar broke the lap record of this race with a time of 1:14.823 and also the race record with a time of 10m 6.597secs. He finished 5.251secs ahead of Michael Dunlop to give him his 4th win of the day and bring his total wins in Faugheen to 16. William Dunlop came 3rd 23.044secs from the leader. Derek Shields came in 4th position giving him one of his best finishes of the season.

Man of the Meeting and Fastest Lap 2009 was Ryan Farquhar. Fastest southern rider sponsored by Tara Crystal was Derek Shiels. Rob Alton from the Isle of Man won Furthest Travelled Competitor sponsored by Sean Leonard a racer in the 125cc. Best Newcomer sponsored by Clonmel Motorcycle Club was Benny Smith.

Another successful and safe days racing in Faugheen with only one shower of rain disrupting racing. Many thanks to the crowds of spectators who turned out and obeyed the marshals as instructed, as always your support is greatly appreciated. Our sincere thanks to all those involved in the running and organising of this event for all their hard work and dedication.


As Reported by:
Carol Curran, Faugheen 50 Supporters Club PRO.