By The sixth racer to take part in Road Racing News, recently launched Racing on the Irish Roads – Racers Recollections series is Twohigs Hill Hill-Climb winner, Junior Support race runner-up at Faugheen, Anthony O’Carroll.
His answers to the Irish road racing themed set of questions, are as follows:
Q1: What is your first Irish road racing memory?
“I suppose I grew up around competition with my dad being a rally man but it was my Uncle Joseph that had the bikes and took me to the Roads first!
Athea was always one that stood out to me growing up being an annual pilgrimage, watching all the guys I looked up to like Martin (Finnegan), Richard (Britton), Ryan (Farquhar) and the likes!
So, I suppose that would be my earliest memories of the sport.”
Q2: Present favourite Irish road race?
“Mid Antrim was something special to ride. Amazing circuit. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a jump as much as Alexander’s.”
Q3: Who is your most respected fellow Irish roads exponent?
“That is an extremely difficult question as there is so many names that come to mind for different reasons.
But I would have to mention John Cathal and Noel Carroll because them and their crew have been in my corner since day one and they are always there to help.
Big respect for them guys! Not many with the experience them guys have. Definitely owe them a lot.”
Q4: If you could alter one aspect, in particular, within the sport, what would it be and why?
“In my own experience they are trying to bump guys out of the support classes too soon, I think this should be addressed somehow.
If people are happy to go and ready well and good but some find it hard to bridge the big jump to national level, be it financially, machinery or otherwise.
There should maybe be a class out with the national or something to keep the numbers up, I think this struggle is definitely contributing to the lower entry numbers in the national classes.”
Q5: To date what has been your favourite Irish roads moment?
“By far for me has to be the Super Twins race at Faugheen this year, where myself and good friend Stephen Tobin rode wheel to wheel, to battle it out for second.
I don’t think we both had anything left! To just get it (second) in the end was great.”
Q6: Irish road racing summed up in one word, what would it be?
“Surreal pops to mind but very had to put into words.”
Q7: Is there any Irish roads event, that you haven’t raced at yet that you would like to?
“Without a doubt Athea, as I said earlier it is one I sat watching very young, wondering what it would be like to do and it’s only over the road from home.
Athea would be really special for me!”
Photo credit: John Burke Photography
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
