Some of the Biggest Names in Road Racing Set to Descend on County Antrim
THE Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club (AMRRC) has confirmed a strong international entry list for this year’s Armoy Road Races, taking place on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th July, with fans set to see some of the sport’s most recognisable names go head-to-head on the famous County Antrim circuit.
Leading the charge is Richard Cooper, the experienced Nottingham rider who lines up for Alastair Russell’s team, having built a long list of British championship titles and North West 200 podiums over the course of his career. Cooper joins fellow Russell team mate and last year’s Bayview Hotel Race of Legends winner, Mike Browne on the entry list, with both riders expected to be firmly in contention across the weekend’s racing.
Manx road racing royalty is also represented, with Isle of Man TT stalwart Conor Cummins bringing decades of Mountain Course experience to Armoy. Cummins, one of the most consistent performers in modern road racing with a long list of TT podium finishes to his name, will be joined by fellow Manxmen Marcus Simpson and Joe Yeardsley, fresh from his first Supersport win at the Southern 100 making the trip across the Irish Sea.
Ireland and Northern Ireland’s own road racing talent will be well represented too, with Michael Sweeney, the Skerries rider who has long been a front-runner on the Irish and Ulster road racing scenes. He will be joined by Derek McGee, a past Man of the Meeting winner on the Irish national circuit who’s teamed up with Burrows Engineering/RK Racing and last year’s Armoy Man of the Meeting, Paul Jordan, who is in top form having just joined the elusive ‘130 Club’ at last month’s TT races alongside achieving Supertwin wins at the Southern 100.
Rounding out the confirmed entry list are Dominic Herbertson, a former Junior Classic TT winner, Sam West and newcomer Nathan Harrison all regular fixtures on the international road racing circuit who have competed at some of the sport’s biggest meetings, including the Isle of Man TT and Classic TT.
Speaking ahead of the event, William Munnis, Clerk of the Course of the Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club said the calibre of this year’s entry list continues to reflect the growing standing of the Armoy Road Races within the international road racing calendar.
“We’re delighted with the number and calibre of riders joining us this year,” William said. “With returning favourites, newcomers and international teams set to take part, spectators can expect a great weekend of racing.
“We have over 40 newcomers this year, and we have a few races that are oversubscribed but as a Club we are really keen to ensure that everyone gets some track time – we are going to run some B races too. Friday will be interesting, it always is, but if we get it right, Saturday should take care of itself.”
Title race sponsor, Trevor Kane, owner of the Bayview Hotel in Portballintrae added: “We’ve been supporting the Armoy Road Races since their inception in 2009, and it has been a privilege to watch the event grow to become one of the most popular road racing events on this island.
“The calibre of riders this year, as with previous years, is exceptional. I’m looking forward to watching some of the sports best talent going head-to-head for a spot on the podium this weekend!”
Racing gets underway on Friday 24th July, with the main day of racing on Saturday 25th July culminating in the prestigious Bayview Hotel Race of Legends.
Programme packages, including a vehicle parking pass and event lanyard granting access to vantage points around the circuit, are still on sale at the Armoy office.
Further information can be found at www.armoyroadraces.com or by searching ‘AMRRC’ on Facebook.