Race of Legends’ Moves Up a Gear

Northern Ireland’s road racing calendar has been boosted with a brand new race, the first in over 50 years, which acts as the finale to the 2009 Ulster Championship season. The inaugural Armoy Road Race will take place on Saturday 8th August and commemorates the skills and talents of four legendary riders who hailed from Armoy - Jim Dunlop, Frank Kennedy, Joey Dunlop and Mervyn Robinson known affectionately as the ‘Armoy Armada.’ The four inspirational riders regularly tested their Yamahas, Yamsels and Spartans around the Armoy roads. Billed as the ‘Race of Legends’ with a circuit located on the edge of the stunning Glens of Antrim, the Armoy event aims to recapture some of the fervour and nostalgia of those heady road racing days during the 1970’s, yet deliver a safe, exciting and modern Race Day programme complementing Ireland’s world famous national and international road races. Launched today at the Hedges Restaurant near Stranocum, the Armoy Road Race welcomed the only surviving member of the ‘Armada’ Jim Dunlop, brother of Joey and Robert together with key riders and competitors including Ryan Farquhar, John Burrows and Sam Dunlop. Event organisers Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club also announced the event’s main 2009 sponsor Coleraine Skip Hire & Recycling headed up by local man Packie Laverty. The managing director of the successful waste management company grew up at Loughguile close to Armoy and was delighted to back a race event which pays tribute to the four racers who made the region so famous. “I’ve followed road racing for many years and personally knew three members of the group – Joey, Frank and Mervyn. It’s wonderful that this new event celebrates their fantastic accomplishments and is a fitting tribute to the three racers who are no longer with us. I’d like to congratulate the Club on their achievements to date and wish them the very best for 8th August.” Clerk of Course Bill Kennedy, a former racer and younger brother of Frank outlined details of race programme plans and also thanked main sponsor Coleraine Skip Hire & Recycling, event partner Moyle District Council, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and all race sponsors, “It’s been a long hard road since we founded the Armoy Club, followed by our limited company AMRRC Ltd to help develop the race and I’m thrilled that the race is now up and running and that we’ve had such wonderful support from government, Moyle District Council, local businesses and of course the competitors themselves. I’d particularly like to thank Packie Laverty of our main sponsor Coleraine Skip Hire & Recycling for having the confidence to back the event and of course all our individual sponsors without whose support the race would not be possible.” The organisers have drawn up a 10 race schedule with roads closing at 10am on Saturday 8th August and re-opening 7.30pm at the latest. (see Editors’ Notes for race details). With entries set to close on 4th July organisers have already signed up Michael and William Dunlop, Adrian Archibald, John Burrows, Sam Dunlop and Ryan Farquhar. Riders travelling from outside the province to take part include Czech rider Michael Dopukil, Scotsman Keith Amor and Carl Rennie and Gary Johnston from England. Clerk of Course Bill Kennedy also paid tribute to road racing hero Robert Dunlop who joined the Armoy Club when it was set up in 2007, “Although not part of the famed Armoy Armada, Robert was a wonderful Club member up until his tragic death last year. He gave the Club a huge amount of help and support and indeed it was Robert’s idea to select our current 3 mile circuit. Robert will be very much missed at our inaugural meeting on 8th August.” The Armoy circuit is almost 3 miles and each race will number 8 laps with a 10 lap Grand Final. The Man of the Meeting will also be presented with an additional £500 prize. Organisers have worked alongside Roads Services making improvements to the road surfaces and preparing the pits and paddock area which will be located on Hillside Road behind the start/finish area, with access from Ballykenver Road. Organisers are also in the process of preparing an A4 glossy programme and the team will also be marketing a range of race merchandise. Moyle District Council is proud to be associated with the first ever Armoy Road Race and Chairman of the Council Cllr William Graham said, “We are pleased to contribute to the event and to work closely with Club members. We appreciate all their hard work and commitment to the Race and believe the event will help contribute to the region’s local economy as well as attracting more tourists from outside Northern Ireland. We wish organisers a safe day’s racing and look forward to welcoming spectators and competitors to our beautiful Moyle region.” The Armoy Road Race takes place on Saturday 8th August with roads closing at 10am. Practice takes place on Friday 7th August with roads closed from 2.30pm to 9pm. For more information visit https://www.amrrc.com

Armoy Road Race supported by Coleraine Skip Hire & Recycling

1. Centra Ballymoney 250cc Race
2. Stoneyford Concrete Open Race
3. Moyle District Council Supersport Race
4. The Hedges/Armoy Homes Classic 250/350cc Race
5. Bayview Hotel 125cc Race/Mollys & GC Services 650cc Supertwins Race.
6. Rainbow International Junior Support Race
7. Ballymoney Borough Council Classic 500/1000cc
8. Park Electics/Armoy Construction Senior Support Race
9. Coleraine Skip Hire Moyle Open Race
10. The Mermaid Club 400cc-750cc Senior Support Race