This weekend sees the 60th running
of the Mid Antrim 150 road races and it promises to
be another action packed day of racing around the 3.6-mile
Clough circuit. It’s a hectic time of the season
with a race meeting on every weekend but the usual suspects
will all be out in force on Saturday and with an increased
race schedule fans will be in for a great day out.
There are nine races in total and although there’ll
be big disappointment with the absence of Cameron Donald,
the crowds will be out in their droves for the fourth
road race to be held in the North this year. The racing
in 2006 has been incredibly close each and every weekend
and with the likes of Martin Finnegan, Raymond Porter,
Ryan Farquhar and Adrian Archibald doing battle it should
be a great day. The hot weather may have come to an
end but it will still be hot between the hedges and
a tremendous day’s racing lies in store.
Race 1 – 401cc-750cc Support Championship
Race
Sponsored by Loanends Motorcycle Road Racing Club
With 40 entries, the Senior Support race sees an impressive
line up of some of the sports finest up and coming riders
and Wayne Kirwan is proving to be the man to beat. The
Drogheda rider will face stiff opposition from, amongst
others Dean Cooper, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Niall Scollan,
Craig Gibson and Gareth Costello. Andrew Brady, Declan
Lynch, Michael Sweeney and Derek Cohen also go in this
one whilst the evergreen Bill Rice is also entered.
A dark horse for the race could be Classic ace Mark
Morgan who lines up on an ex-John Burrows 750cc Suzuki.
Race 2 - 201cc to 400cc Support Championship
Race
Sponsored by Loanends Motorcycle Road Racing Club
Championship leader Stephen O’Brien is enjoying
an excellent season on the roads but the Dunleer rider
can expect another tough battle here. Heading the charge
are Mark Waddell, Leo Fitzgerald, RJ Woolsey, Thomas
Craig and Stephen ‘Cargo’ Carr. There’s
also an impressive contingent of mainland competitors
keen to make their mark with Scarborough regulars Paul
Newton and Trevor Rufus lining up on their 250cc Honda’s
as well as Coalville’s Kirk Farrow going here
on his 400cc Honda. Scottish brothers Brian and John
Nichol are also entered on their 250cc Yamaha’s.
Race 3 – Superbike Race
Sponsored by J P Corry
Race 8 – Irish Championship Open Race
Sponsored by Clough Glasgow Rangers Supporters Club
Despite Aussie ace Cameron Donald being a non-starter
after his Faugheen crash last weekend, the two Superbike
races should see some terrific action. Martin Finnegan
will be looking to continue his winning form and consolidate
his place at the top of the Irish Championship table
but the Lusk ace will find it no easy task. Raymond
Porter has got to grips with the DMRR Honda immediately
and will want to turn the tables after his narrow Faugheen
defeat whilst the TAS Suzuki pairing of Adrian Archibald
and Ryan Farquhar are sure to feature, although the
latter named may prefer to stick to the 600cc machines
on his return from injury.
John Burrows has been having a strong season on the
HM Sports Motorhomes Suzuki and is sure to figure whilst
Davy Morgan will be hoping to get his season back on
track after being in the wars in recent weeks. Throw
in the likes of John Donnan, Trevor Ferguson, Paul Cranston,
Damien Mulleady, Victor Gilmore, Liam Quinn, Paul Gartland
and James Redpath and you’ve got two cracking
races in prospect. Meanwhile, two talented newcomers
make their debuts here in the shape of James McBride
and Conor Cummins and with the way they have been riding
this year, their performances will be eagerly watched.
International riders Fabrice Miguet and Daniel Jansen
also go in these two races, as does Cheshire’s
Damien Gledhill.
Race 4 – Junior Race
Sponsored by Raymond Anderson
Race 7 – Street Sweep 2 Stroke Racing
Supporters Club Junior Race
Sponsored by Robert Logan Hardware
A good-sized grid has been assembled for the two 250cc
Junior races with no less than 31 riders entered. Darran
Lindsay has been on fire recently and expect to see
the Lisburn man well to the fore again here. Stiff competition
is guaranteed though with the likes of Barry Davidson,
Darren Burns, Davy Morgan, William and Michael Dunlop,
John Burrows, Yarno Holland and Victor Gilmore all likely
to have a say in affairs at the head of the field. Reigning
Support champion Andrew Courtney has been enjoying an
excellent first year at National level and should go
well whilst Adrian McFarland is entered on an Aprilia,
the only non-Japanese machine in the race.
Other riders to keep an eye on include Maurice Walker,
Ian Morrell, Derek Cohen, Lee Hill and Phil Archer whilst
regular English visitors Paul Newton and Dave Hedison
are also entered. Two fast and furious races are guaranteed
here.
Race 5 - 125cc Championship
Sponsored by J.M.E Electrical
Another quality line up of riders go in this 7-lap
race and we can expect another tough fight at the front
of the pack. Darran Lindsay, Robert Dunlop and Mark
Curtin have been sharing the wins during the course
of the year but Robert’s sons, William and Michael,
have been in contention each and every weekend, as they
will be here. Nephew Sam also goes in this one whilst
to make it an even bigger family day out, Robert’s
nephew Paul Robinson makes his regular Clough appearance.
Nigel Moore is another rider looking to get back on
the winning trail with other leaderboard men likely
to include Trevor Ritchie, Jeff Shaw, Yarno Holland,
Adrian Coleman, Phelim Lunney, Matt Monaghan and Jack
Sands. Visitors from over the water include Chris McGahan,
Trevor Rufus, Ellie Forest and veteran rider Mick Chatterton
whilst an intriguing entry has been received from Ian
Morrell who is due to be out on a 125cc Aprilia.
Race 6 – 600cc Championship
Sponsored by Rainbow International
The Supersport class always produces fantastic action
and it should be no exception here with the racing sure
to be frantic. Porter, Finnegan and Lindsay head the
Honda charge but Farquhar announced his return from
injury in fine style at Faugheen and will ensure Suzuki
are well represented, as will teammate Archibald.
They’re not the only ones in with a shout though
with John Burrows, John Donnan, Davy Morgan, Damien
Mulleady, Victor Gilmore, Barry Davidson and William
Dunlop all in contention. Former support stars Andrew
Courtney and James Redpath have been having strong seasons
so will go well whilst other riders to keep your eye
on include Alan Connor, Yarno Holland, James McCullagh,
Stephen McIlvenna, Trevor Ferguson and Paul Lennon.
Kiwi visitor Daniel Jansen also goes in this one whilst,
if previous debut performances are anything to go by,
young Ramsey rider Conor Cummins could well be the Manx
fly in the Irish ointment.
Race 9 – Classic 250 – 1000cc Championship
Sponsored by Ballymena Borough Council
In the combined Classic race we have a full grid of
machines made up of the various classes with 26 entries
received in total. The majority of these come in the
250/350 class with riders likely to feature being Yarno
Holland, Chris McGahan, RJ Woolsey, Tom Jackson, Alex
McVicker, Ronald Niven and fellow Scot Denis Gallagher.
Robert McCrum is back on the entry list for the big
bike class but he should come under pressure from the
likes of Mark Morgan and John Scott whilst 500cc pilots
include Tom Kavanagh, Gary Jamison and Cumbria’s
Ian Wilson.
Practice gets underway on Friday evening with roads
closing at 6.00pm with sessions for all classes. Then
on race day, Saturday, roads close at 10.45am. We would
like to wish officials, competitors and fans a safe
and enjoyable days racing. |
