Local Boys Triumph at Armoy

[Admin]

With the Dunlops along with Sam Wilson and Ryan Farquhar taking most of the trophies home at the weekend it really was a weekend for the local boys.

Guy Martin of the Tyco TAS Suzuki team was a credible second in the SGS International Open Race while Manx man Connor Cummins, who rushed home for his cousin’s wedding on the Isle of Man, was placed in the top five in both the RiverRidge Recycling Race of Legends and SGS International Superbike Open Race.

Bill Kennedy, Clerk of the Course, Armoy Road Races said, ‘It was a tough day on Saturday for everyone. We battled constantly against the elements but I have to say we were extremely lucky when it dried up for the last big race, Race of Legends. I’m in great admiration of all the officials, marshals, club members and volunteers who continued to ensure that a great day’s racing was had by all. They are held in my utmost esteem. At one stage the rain was coming down that hard I had to red flag one of the races. At the end of the day regardless of being tired, very wet and weary everyone had a smile on their face. The Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club achieved what it set out to do – a fantastic two days of road racing. This really is a year’s worth of planning and the Club members in particular give freely of their time – I’m indebted to them all!

Armoy Road Races have grown from strength to strength. A big thank you to all our sponsors in particular RiverRidge Recycling. Without every one of them we couldn’t put on this race. I also have to mention the two new memorial trophies. The Wayne Memorial Trophy was won by Mark Shiels and Joey Dunlop’s daughter, Joanne Dunlop, presented, the Joey Dunlop Memorial Trophy, for the fastest lap in the Race of Legends, to Michael Dunlop.

The races are over for another year and I’m delighted by some of the comments made by our sponsors who are keen to return next year but also from people like legendary Steve Cull who said it was a fantastic race meeting and took him back 30 years to how road races were run – friendly, community based and above all with an ‘esprit de corps’. Well done to all our competitors – without them there is no race. Now to 2013 and hopefully the weather will be a little kinder!”