By Entering it’s 11th year of hosting pure road racing competition, the Armoy Road Races which carries again title sponsorship from the Bayview Hotel, has attracted another top quality entry.
Lots of attention will be on the in form Derek Sheils, who has chalked up in recent weeks multiple victories at national meetings including featuring race triumphs at Skerries and Faugheen.
Photo by Tommy Vennard
In total 10 times a race winner thus far this season, it’s going to take performances of the highest quality form his fellow competitors at the weekend, to stop him acquiring the Open Championship and Race of Legends Armoy crowns.
A prime contender as well for Supersport honours, others outside of BE Racing In Conjunction with Richardson Kelly Racing’s Sheils capable of tasting four stroke class success this weekend, include fellow countryman Derek McGee.
Since returning to competitive action at Walderstown, reigning Duke Road Race Rankings champion McGee has recaptured and some the peerless form that he showed, during the early stages of the 2019 roads season.
Photo by Rod Neill
Grand Final victor at Tandragee, the talented Mullingar racer’s machinery stable for his latest Armoy racing expedition sees him pilot his trusty ZX6R, ZX-10RR Kawasaki mounts, the extremely potent Faraldo Racing Moto 3 Honda, and quite possibly one of KMR Kawasaki’s top calibre Super Twin steeds.
Another contender for big bike, Supersport, Super Twin honours at Armoy will be Skerries Michael Sweeney.
Martin Jones Racing’s Sweeney, twice a Junior Manx GP winner, has hit this month a rich vein of form, mixing it and some with many of the leading national, world’s best International Road Racers.
Alongside Skerries Sweeney, others in contention for standout results include Kells Supersport victor Paul Jordan, Davies Motorsport’s Dominic Herbertson, Thomas Maxwell, Enniskillen ‘Man of The Meeting’ Kevin Fitzpatrick, 2016 Senior Manx GP winner Tom Weeden and Ballymoney’s Darryl Tweed.
Photo by Rod Neill
Others to keep an eye on include Logan Racing’s Neil Kernohan, support class stars such as Tommy Henry and Andy McAllister, yesteryear racing legend Barry Davidson plus a host of talented event debutants like DTR (Danny Tomlinson Racing) supported Sam West, James Chawke, Aidan Cleary, Wayne Kennedy, Noel Smith.
Paul Robinson backed Sam Grief, Paul ‘Potchy’ Williams, Ben Rea, Adrian Heraty, Ben Plant, and Post TT Supersport victor, Supersport race runner up at Faugheen, Michael Browne.
In total over 20 racers are set to make this weekend their Armoy roads debut’s, whilst further depth to the entry is provided by leading 125/Moto 3 exponents like Gary Dunlop, Melissa Kennedy and ten times TT winner Ian Lougher.
The rich history about racing at Armoy allied with it’s growing status worldwide, makes it an absolute must visit for thousands upon thousands of roads aficionados.
Photo by Rod Neill
Expect on Friday and Saturday, alongside great racing and scintillating action on track, a truly top draw atmosphere as 100’s of hugely knowledgeable fans embark upon an event which since it’s inception in 2009 has grown, grown and grown and some in stature.
Just a reminder to everyone attending Armoy this week, buy a program and help keep a truly great event thriving for the foreseeable future.
Words by Stevie Rial
