ALTHOUGH most road racing fans love to watch the big Superbike and Supersport Races at the Armoy Road Races there are also a fair number of fans who love the sound and smell of a Classic bike.
This year at the Armoy Road Race there is another good entry of modern and pre 73 classic bikes. None more so than the exotic MV3 350cc ridden by English rider Andy Hornby. The last one raced in Ireland was likely to be by multiple world champion, Giacomo Agostini, in the late 60s.
There are also the modern classics like the Davis Motorsport Yamahas ridden by Dominic Herbertson and Paul Jordan, plus Dave Suddes on the Harris Yamaha to name but a few.
There has also been a lot of interest for the Steadplan Sales Classic Superbike race with some memorable bikes from the 80s and 90s where Phillip Crowe from Market Rasen is on a Suzuki XR69 and Whitby’s John Cliffe is on a Harris Suzuki F1.
This year Fay Stewart is sponsoring the Senior Classics and will see many riders including Ian Lougher on the Chapman Racing MV Augusta and local Ballymena man Barry Davidson who recently celebrated the milestone of his 100th Irish national road racing success riding Team Gimbert Honda 500.
Barry will also be riding a Team Gimbert Honda 350 in the MJF Builders Junior Classics and Ballymoney man Darryl Tweed on a Neil Vickers 350.
William Munnis Clerk of the Course and Club Chairman, said, “The grid at Armoy Road Races has bikes and competitors to cater for all ages and enthusiast of the sport. The sound will be something else particularly for the younger generation who may never have had the opportunity to hear and see such great racing bikes of the past. Both Friday and Saturday will see a great spectacle indeed. I’m looking forward to seeing the races begin and a safe two days of racing.”
This year, Bike Week runs from Sunday 23rd July until Saturday 29th July with the races taking place on Friday 28th July and Saturday 29th July 2023. The Armoy Road Races are part funded by the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and culminates in the Bayview Hotel Races of Legends.
For more information on Armoy Road Races, search for ‘AMRRC’ on Facebook or follow on twitter @ArmoyRoadRaces.
Please support the Armoy Road Races by buying a programme or a package. They are available from the Armoy office or on the website but need to be collected from the office in Armoy.