By The ever popular Around A Pound Tandragee 100, has this year attracted nigh on 300 entries, ranging from Irish roads royalty, ambitious rising stars, event stalwarts and various high profile newcomers.
Alongside the likes of anticipated Supersport/Superbike/Super Twin front runners such as Derek Sheils, Derek McGee, McAdoo Kawasaki’s Adam McLean and Michael Sweeney, next gen road racers such as Team DHR’s Darryl Tweed, Michael Browne and Junior Manx GP champion James Chawke are also extremely capable of being in the mix, for notable results.
Same applies to Skerries Andy Farrell, Darren Cooper, Davy Morgan, Forest Dunn, Michal ‘Indi’ Dokoupil, reigning Newcomers A Manx GP winner Thomas Maxwell and new Noel Williamson Racing signing Shaun Anderson.
Outside of the four stroke classes two stroke, 400, yesteryear machinery specialists on the entry list include Gary Dunlop, Nigel Moore, Paul Gartland, Melissa Kennedy, Barry Davidson, Mark Parrett, Brian Mateer, Philip Shaw, Richard Ford, Taiwan’s Roger Chen and John Leigh Pemberton.
We mustn’t forget as well the strong amount of entrants for the Junior, Senior Support classes, which include Tommy Henry, Veronika Hankocyova, Dermot Cleary, Canada’s Mel Gantly, John Cahill and 2013 Lightweight Manx GP winner Alistair Haworth.
Newcomers wise, just some of the closing in on 30 racers set to tackle the challenging Tandragee course, which has been dubbed by many as a ‘Mini TT’ include IRRC Superbike points finisher Nadieh Schoots, plus BE Racing In Conjunction With Richardson Kelly Racing’s Tom Weeden.
Alongside the stellar entry, it’s also been confirmed this evening that the 59th Tandragee 100 will carry an eight race schedule, which will conclude with the feature Around A Pound Senior Open race, which carries a first prize of £1,000 pounds.
One has to heap praise, praise and praise upon the event organisers the North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club Ltd, for maintaining the Tandragee 100’s continuous place amongst pure road racing’s most respected, prestigious and loved meetings.
More world class, pulsating competition is an absolute guarantee for the second Irish roads event of 2019, which runs from the 3rd to the 4th of May.
Words by Stevie Rial
