Road Races
Armoy 2017
This past year I haven’t been very active with the blog as I have been many months without taking the bike. The cause of it was of a little human being who was growing during 8 months and then landed in our lives mid February. Emma, a gorgeous little girl (of course! 🙂 ).
So the bike stuff was temporarily put apart, and between nights without sleeping and another nights without sleeping, we didn’t find any energy to go to the first road races of the season. Apart from the fact that we thought that she was a little bit small to take her on walks across the fields under the rain (which happens pretty much in road racing in Ireland…).
But finally we decided to give it a go when the stars finally got aligned, probably because of the luck of the Irish. We had thought to go to Armoy, or well, we had thought that it would be very nice if the road race which was our first one could also be our daughter’s first road race. While we were thinking about how to go to watch a road race with a 5 months old baby, 2 things happened: they reopened the Pub that had been closed for about 2 years in Armoy’s village, and this pub “The Armada Inn” was now also offering bedrooms as “Bed and Breakfast”. I contacted them but they were full. A couple of months after, for whatever reason, they had some rooms available again. We didn’t think it twice, it was our opportunity! I called and booked a room for our short holidays. A room with some space for a travel cot, and with a view to the circuit! Better than a 5 stars VIP Pass!!!
We arrived on Thursday afternoon, on time for the classic bikes show. We also had some time to spend in the Club shop to buy some merchandising, as the one we had from our first year were quite worn out… We also bought the programme. And we had a nice chat with 2 of the Club ladies who minded the shop.
A little bit later we had our first “Irish Stew” in the village coffee room, very good and at a good price too.
After that we went to the room to watch the parade lap of the classic bikes. Emma seemed to like it.
On Friday morning, after the typical “Ulster Fry”,
we went for a walk to the paddock. It was a little bit muddy because of the showers, but it would get worse later. We went twice around the paddock but couldn’t find Andy Farrell’s team.
But we did meet with Yvonne Montgomery who was recovering from her accident in Skerries at the beginning of the month, she was walking with crutches but was talking about racing at the UlsterGP 15 days later (!!!) .
We saw a few racers like Davy Morgan and Michael Dunlop, but I had forgotten my camera in the B&B and with the phone the result wasn’t too good.
After the second round we went back to the village where we met with a very nice couple from Barcelona, Spain, Montse and Randy, who had contacted me and who were coming to Ireland on holidays on their bikes, and were also taking the opportunity to watch their first road race. We had a coffee and a nice chat until they left to find a place to spectate before the road closure.
And the practice started. What a privilege to be able to follow all the practice sessions from the bedroom window, without having to worry if the baby needed eating, changing, sleeping, or whatever… She took her nap as usual (even with the classic bikes practice going on…), she had her lunch watching the bikes by the window… I think that without this option we wouldn’t have enjoyed much. We had bought ear protectors for babies and they didn’t seem to bother her at all…
The practice sessions went on, starting with the Newcomers. This year Patricia Fernandez from the United States was a newcomer in Armoy.
The female racers weren’t many this time as Yvonne was injured, and Veronika couldn’t go on with the Irish season after Cookstown. But Melissa Kennedy was there with her Moto3.
The practice sessions were stopped at time because of the rain,
and also there was a red flag because of spectators in prohibited area.
Forest Dunn & Andy Farrell
Adam McLean
Forest Dunn
Michael Dunlop
After the practice sessions, they started with the races, the first being the Senior Support won by Adam Lyon *29, second Joe Loughlin *150 and third David Howard *4.
Then there was the first Supersport one, which was stopped a first time because of an incident (without consequences) involving Paul Jordan and Adam McLean.
Then it was restarted, but stopped again after a few laps because Michael Dunlop’s engine blew up.
As it was late and the road had to be checked and so, the race wasn’t restarted. The final result was given later, won by Derek McGee 86, second Davey Todd *174 and third Christian Elkin *8.
On Saturday race day we had an early breakfast and also a nice chat with the amateur photographer John Condie. Then we waited for the road closure.
The races started and followed as this:
Junior Support: 1- Joe Loughlin *27, 2- Marc Ironside *151, 3- Glenn Walker *44
Moto3/125: Christian Elkin *8, Adam Mc Lean *56
Supersport 2: 1 Michael Dunlop, 2 Derek McGee, 3 James Cowtown *52
Classics: 1- Ed Manly*66, 2- Wattie Brown *10, 3- Barry Davidson *40
Open 201-1010cc: 1-Michael Dunlop, 2- Derek McGee, 3-William Dunlop
Lightweight: 250cc Neil Kernohan *109 and Brian Harding *59
400cc: Darryl Tweed, Callum Laidlaw, Seamus Elliott
Poor Paul Gartland *28 got several times black flag over the week-end because of his exhaust pipe…
Supertwin: 1-McGee, 2-Adam McLean 3- James Cowtown
Senior Support: 1-Joe Loughlin 2-Adam Lyon 3-David Howard
Race of Legends: 1-Michael Dunlop (seven times in a raw), 2-William Dunlop 3-Micko Sweeney
Adam Mc Lean
Derek Mc Gee saving his back tyre
James Cowton
McGee, William Dunlop, Micko Sweeney
Melissa Kennedy 
Michael Dunlop
William Dunlop
There were also a few showers during the day, which always make it difficult for the organisers. Even though, they were able to complete the full programme and end the races around 5pm.
We met a couple of times over the day with Montse and Randy, one of them it was during a race, and I got so nervous for not being able to take pictures that they might have thought I was completely mad…
After the last race, we had an early dinner and then said goodbye.
We left the next day after breakfast, while outside they were working hard to take away all bales and protections and give back to the village its face of 360 days a year.
Of course we first took a lap around the circuit, Emma’s first lap ever around Armoy circuit! 🙂
It was so great to be able to watch the races from the room, with such a small baby I don’t think we would have enjoyed the races from the usual spectating places, even with the car close by.
Next year she will be bigger and even if we will have to change some things in our way of spectating, I think we will be able to watch races not from a “Mega VIP” place.
In any case we were very happy to be able to watch Armoy road races this year, and that Armoy was also Emma’s first road race was very special.
It’s also funny that now I have a baby, I can see that there are many people who go watch road racing with their children, even quite small. There is a future for road racing spectators for sure! 🙂
See you in 2018!
Road Races
Road Races for “Newcomers”
Following the cancellation of Kells Road Race last year, I thought that it might be good to explain some things about road racing, for people who come to spectate for the first time. The information is based on my short experience of road racing in Ireland (North & South).
*They are organised by clubs, not to make money but by passionate people to allow the fans to watch the best racing by passionate riders. Clubs are happy if they can cover the huge costs. If there is some money left, it is kept for the following year.
*Except for the 2 International races and Armoy, they don’t receive public funds.
*They are mostly financed by sponsoring, the entry fee from the riders and the price of the ticket (if any) and/or programme sale. Some also with some merchandising. Please always pay the ticket (if any) and/or BUY A PROGRAMME! There is the information on the racers and most of the times some great articles to get some entertainment when no racing is on.
*The insurance cost to cover the event is huge. And has to be paid even if one day is cancelled.
*Some clubs have to stop organising during 1 or 2 years due to financial reasons if one year funds are not enough (cancellation or too few people, mainly due to bad weather).
*In case of the event is cancelled, there is no “money back”. The price of the entry is very CHEAP for 2 days watching the best racing; real fans have to understand that some costs are fix costs, with or without the event running. If you don’t want to “take the risk” to “pay for nothing”, then better to stay at home if they plan a rainy day.
*The national road races are very cheap, they are about 10€/10£ per day, with programme at 5-10€/£. Sometimes you may have to pay for carpark (not all), for 5€/£. In some you have optional access to grandstand for about 5€/£. Knowing that you are going to be watching the best racing in the world, it is VERY CHEAP. And the money you spend will be used to run the event and allow this great sport to keep going.
*The organisation is done by VOLUNTEERS, who give their personal time to prepare the races during several months for the administrative part (getting authorisations, finding sponsors, attracting riders…), and weeks to prepare the track (hedges cutting, mark prohibited areas, put on the grandstands, prepare the paddock, put the protection bales around the circuit, etc.).
*There is a great lot of PEOPLE (professionals and prepared personnel) involved, volunteers as the traveling marshals, the flag marshals around the circuits, the Medical team (including traveling doctor), etc. And not to forget the emergency teams: ambulances, firemen, helicopter, and the police.
Traveling Marshals (Kells 2016)
Flag Marshal (Cookstown 2016)
Traveling Doctor (Doctor Fred McSorley- Armoy 2015)
Helicopter (Kells 2015)
*Some practical advice (Irish people can skip the first 2 advice as for what we saw around he circuits, they seem to be quite “badweatherproof” 😉 )
-Take some warm clothes, hat and/or baseball cap, some suncream (sometimes it’s sunny!), and an umbrella (big and strong). In Ireland the weather is very changeable, and personally we like to be ready for any eventuality… I don’t like to be wet 😉 .
(Walderstown 2016)
–Waterproof boots. Many times we have to cross fields to get around the circuit when the roads are closed, and they might become quite muddy in case of rain. Better to keep the feet dry.
-If you have room for it, camping seats for resting. (If no room, a big strong plastic bag may do!).
-We usually bring some water and dry fruits in case there is no catering where we chose to watch. We usually start the day with a full Irish breakfast, which helps to hold most of the day if there is no food available around.
-If you come with smallies, it’s highly recommended to use ear protectors adapted to their small ears.
And most important:
–Always respect what the marshals say, respect the prohibited areas, it is a dangerous sport and a sliding bike can cover several hundreds of metres before stopping.
–Do not cross the road in places where there are no marshals to inform when it is safe to cross. NEVER cross the road when racing/practice has started.
–Always respect the fields and fences: they are all private properties the landowners accept to put at the public disposal for a week-end. Pick up your wastes and put them in the bins.
(Skerries 2016 – it was not very warm as you can see 😀 )
-If possible, avoid red clothes to avoid confusion with red flags (yeah, I know, I have to change my jacket… lol).
-If you take pictures, don’t use the flash (which will be useless anyway) as it may blind the riders. If you use a selfie stick, use it with common sense so that it won’t be dangerous for the riders.
-Drones are prohibited around the circuit for obvious security reasons (apart from the legal ones).
-With a little bit of common sense and good mood, you will have a great time for sure, whatever the weather conditions…
If you think about any additional advice or information, feel free to tell me in the comments!
V’s
Road Races
2017 Road Racing Calendar
Here is the 2017 season Road Racing Calendar.
In Ireland (North and South) this year the clubs have to face very high increase in insurance prices to cover the events.
When publishing this post, it has been confirmed that Killalane Road Race won’t be held in September for this reason.
Update 06/02/2017: The Club just confirmed that they won’t be able to organise the races in 2017 for not being able to finance the high insurance cost. 🙁
Update 12/04/2017: there will be a race on Killalane circuit at the same date as previous one, organised by a new club. A very good news for road racing.
It is very important for the fans who want to keep going to those fabulous events to participate as much as they can to the financial effort of the clubs, paying the entry fee (when there is) and/or buying a program. Also using the car parks can help.
We can also contribute by becoming a member of one of the Clubs organising those events.
IRELAND (NORTH & REPUBLIC) & ISLE OF MAN (chronological order)
*21-22 April 2017: Tandragee 100 (Tandragee- co. Armagh- Northern Ireland)
*28-29 April 2017: Cookstown 100 (Cookstown- co. Tyrone- Northern Ireland)
*10-14 May 2017: Northwest 200 (Coleraine-Portrush-Porststewart- co. Antrim- Northern Irleand)
*27 May to 9 June 2017: Isle of Man TT (Ile de Man)
*30 June/1 July 2017: Skerries 100 (Loughshinny- co. Dublin – Republic of Ireland):
http://www.loughshinnymotorcycleclub.com/
*8-9 July 2017: Walderstown “Race of the South” (co. Westmeath – Republic of Ireland)
*10-13 July 2017: Southern 100 – (Ile de Man)
*22-23 July 2017: Faugheen 50 Road Race (co. Tipperary – Republic of Ireland)
*28-29 July 2017: Armoy Road Races (Armoy – co. Antrim – Northern Ireland)
*8-12 August 2017: International Ulster GP, Dundrod (co. Antrim – Northern Ireland)
http://www.ulstergrandprix.net/
*10-11 September 2017: Milverton road races, Killalane (co. Dublin – Republic of Ireland)
East Coast Motorcycling (Facebook page)
ENGLAND
SCARBOROUGH- OLIVER’S MOUNT CIRCUIT (North Yorkshire – England)
*Spring Cup: 22-23 April 2017
*Cock O’ the North: 24-25 June 2017
*Barry Sheene Race & Rally Festival: 22-23 July 2017
*International Gold Cup Road Races: 23-24 September 2017
http://oliversmountracing.com/
IRRC 2017
6-7 May: Hengelo (NL)
7-9 July: Imatra (FI)
21-23 July: Chimay (BE)
19-20 August: Schleiz (DE)
26-27 August: Hořice (CZ)
23-24 September: Frohburg (DE)
Reminder: Circuits guide here
Road Races
Ulster GP 2016
Last Saturday was our first time at the Ulster GP. The Ulster GP starts on Wednesday with Practice, follows on Thursday with the so-called “Dundrod 150”, and finally on Saturday are the “big races” as Ulster GP. As we couldn’t take any day off, we left on Friday after work and arrived in Belfast around 9pm.
As we didn’t know the circuit nor knew how it worked to pay an so, and we didn’t have anything booked, we woke up early on Saturday. We shouldn’t have worried because it is organised much like the national Road Races. I mean that you can pay your ticket where they close the road, and BUY A PROGRAM. It costed 25£ per person (includes Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday) and the program 5£. We arrived around 8h am, found a car park close to the paddock, not quite cheap but very well situated.
Our friend Mark from Skerries had sent us a map of the circuit with several good view points to watch the races.
After parking the car we went tot the paddock. There were so many teams that it was difficult to find the “small” ones. We tried to find Yvonne Montgomery, without success.
We had a look around the big teams also, and met with the nice couple we had known in Armoy during the NorthWest 200, and also got across Baylon, the photographer of Irish race photography. The truth is that the world of Road Races is a small one, and as a big family. We have only been to a dozen of races and every time we meet with known persons (who remember us also). I love it.
When we were leaving the paddock we also went across Mark from Skerries, and then went to The Quarries, one of the points he had recommended. We were lucky enough to find a spot just behind the fence. It is better to arrive early enough if you want to get a good spot, mainly if you want to take pictures.
It was sunny that day but the temperature was quite low for being August… well, something quite usual in Ireland in general.
After a short while they closed the road and the day started with the races: Superstock, Supersport, Ultralightweight/Lightweight (125/Moto3, 250GP, 400 & 450cc). There was also a Superpole and a parade lap with Bruce Anstey with the la YZR 500 (there is no graphic proof of that, he was too fast lol).
For the first 2 races the big screen in front of us didn’t work. Then it got fixed.
Then the day proceeded with Superbike, Supersport, Supertwin and Superbike final races.
Michael Dunlop
Derek Sheils
Dan Kneen
Hutchy & Dan Kneen
Rob Barber
Hutchy, Dan Kneen, Michael Dunlop
Conor Cummins
Xavier Denis
Bruce Anstey & Michael Dunlop
Bruce Anstey
Dani Cooper & Bruce Anstey
Davy Morgan
Fabrice Miguet – MIG
Most of the races were quite close racing, with many overtakings. It was quite amazing to see them on the Quarries bend. The day went by without any major incident and with a new circuit record by Ian Hutchinson who did a 134.089mph lap (the previous record was by Bruce Anstey who did 133.977mph in 2010).
It was definitely Hutchy’s day as he won 4 races: the 2 Superbike races, 1 Supersport race and the Superstock race.
There was another record broken by Patricia Fernández (from USA) for the fastest woman rider at UlsterGP, with an average speed of 118.264mph in Supersport.
The previous record was held by Maria Costello, who was racing in Superstock and Supertwin.
There were other women: Veronika Hancocyova (Czech Republic) in Lightweight and Supertwin, Melissa Kennedy in Moto3, Yvonne Montgomery in Lightweight, and Sarah Boyes in Ultralightweight (I have no picture of her)
Yvonne Montgomery
Veronika Hancocyova
Melissa Kennedy
We stayed at the same fence all day. The truth is that it was a good point to see some good race action, take pictures and follow the race on the big screen (when it started working).
It was over around 5.00pm (actually with a red flag), the truth is that the races were quite intense and thrilling, and even with some breaks between races, the day went by very fast.
We had a great experience at the Ulster GP, as it is the same family atmosphere and organisation as the National ones, adding the best racers together, on a longer and faster track (the fastest).
The truth is that next year it will be difficult to chose between Armoy and the UlsterGP! There are only 15 days between the 2 and it is difficult to go to both… we’ll see!
This year unfortunately the UlsterGP was the last road race of the year in Ireland, as the Loughshinny Club announced they cancelled Killalane Road Race which used to close the season mid-September.
It’s a pity, we hope they will solve the problems and will come back stronger next year, with Skerries and Killalane.
This is it for our 2016 road racing season, See you in 2017 and beyond!
Road Races
Skerries 100 – 2016
Saturday was our first time at the Skerries 100 road races.
It was the only race in the South that is run on Friday for practice and Saturday for the races, as in the North. All other Southern road races are on Saturday-Sunday.
This year the Skerries 100 celebrated their 70th birthday- without interruption. The club organising now is Loughshinny Motorcycle Club since 1987, but from 1946 to 1986 it was organised by the Dublin & District Motorcycle Club. In 1987 the Loughshinny MCC who had been helping the D&DMCC in the setting of the circuit for the previous 8 years, bravely took over the organisation of the Skerries 100 in spite of already organising Killalane Road Race held in September on a close-by circuit.
Running a road race is quite costly, this year organising the Skerries 100 costed 120000EUR, a big part of it being the insurance. Road races have some good sponsoring, but if you really enjoy road racing and want it to go on, it is important to participate with the costs paying the entry fee and buying the programme.
This year price was 20EUR per person including a very nice programme with very nice articles about the Event history (including the information above), memories of ex competitors, photographer, etc… a very entertaining piece of writing.
But let’s come back to our experience. As we can’t take all the racing Fridays off, we missed practice day and left on Friday after work, and arrived late to the hotel close to Dublin. Early morning we left to arrive before road closure (9.00am). The GPS brought us easily to the circuit where we paid the entry and had 2 nice programmes (that way, everyday of the following week we both have entertaining reading for breakfast without any fighting 🙂 ).
We found a place to park and walked to the paddock for some breakfast, buy Skerries tee-shirts and say hello to Andy Farrell.
Then we headed to Sam’s Leap from where we would start the day. While waiting for the start we came across Mark, whom we had met in Armoy last year and who had introduced us to Andy Farrell. We were happy to see him again and he came back later and took Juan with him to show him other nice viewing spots.
The races started in the planned order, we were on the straight line after the tunnel, with a small leap, before a corner and the chicane before the finish. They were quite fast at that point but we could take some good pics.
William Dunlop
Derek Sheils
Steven Tobin
Michael & William Dunlop
Neil Kernohan
Davy Morgan
Seamus Elliott
Before the 600 Irish Championship race we moved back to the start/finish from where we watched the Start. Impressive.
I did a short video with the phone, from my husband’s shoulders (thanking him again from here for his cooperation 😉 as it might not have been the best race watching for him at that moment LOL ).
Skerries 2016 – Supersport Start
Still have to improve my video skills, but I’ll get there some day 😉 .
After the start we kept moving to the next barrier, from where we watched the race from a different view. It was nice to see a happy face there.
The Marshalls lead and/or follow the riders during practice, warm-up laps and first lap, and then stop at some points of the circuits ready to go in case of incident. They are doing a great job and are quite fast too! They are also checking the circuit conditions, which were quite changing over all the day, mainly in the afternoon. We could see the next shower coming, and had almost a shower between each race.
So between races we moved to a field after Finnegan’s Corner (named after Martin Finnegan, local road racer who raced and won many races before being tragically killed in Tandragee due to a brake failure).
The field had not been harvested yet, and the owners were kind enough to let people along. A pity that there are always a few who don’t care about others’ property (and business) and didn’t respect the “keep out of the crops” signs.
It was a strange place to watch as we were behind thick hedges but lower than the road. The view was amazing, and so close!
Parade Lap – Baylon Mc Caughey with Derek Sheils bike.
Baylon manages the Facebook group irishracephotography with all hot news about road racing, the racers, the teams and with many pics. Highly recommended for road racing lovers.
Parade Lap – a Rudge
Then we moved further along that same field, we had to wait for a shower to pass and watched the 600 B race,
Andy Farrell
and then moved to a field in front, at Joey’s Sweep, where there was a grandstand and also a food truck (at last! It was almost 3.00pm I think…).
Another shower while the 125 race was starting, but they ran it anyway, and rain and wet road didn’t seem to bother them too much. Nice race and impressive riders on those small machines, with those conditions!
Derek Mc Gee
Melissa Kennedy
Gary Dunlop
Sam Dunlop
After the race we moved further down the road to Dukes Bends (called after Geoff Duke although he only rode once at Skerries in 1949 and crashed on that bend…).
We were also in a field but this time above the road, and very close to the riders as they came out of the first bend. This was impressive. We watched the next races from there.
Here is a short video of the Supertwin Race
Derek Sheils & Paul Jordan
Jason Cash
Paul O Rourke
Derek Sheils
Paul Jordan
Andy Farrell
Michal Dokoupil
Veronika Hancocyova
With again showers. During a last heavy shower, the Superbike (Grand Final) riders went around the circuit for 2 laps with the marshall leading. But they decided that the conditions were too bad for the big bikes. One part of the circuit was drying fast, but the road from Finnegan’s Corner to where we were took some time for drying, with some very damp patches. Not talking about the tunnel under the tree which was probably the worst.
So the Grand Final was cancelled, but fair play to the riders who decided to go around for a few Parade laps.
Michael Dunlop did his own parade laps as if he was racing, or at least it looked like it as he didn’t go too slow… maybe he doesn’t know what slow means 😉 .
Well, that was very nice from all of them to go out anyway, us spectators really appreciated it.
When it was over we went back to the paddock to say goodbye to Andy’s team and then headed back home.
Once again a great day of races, very well organised in spite of the difficult changing weather conditions. No race incident, just one red flag during the last Classics race, but nothing to do with racing, a fight broke out in a potato field… A pity.
A huge thank you to organisers, riders and all people involved in giving us such a great event.
We will defo be back next year! 🙂
Road Races
Kells Road Race 2016
The week-end of 18-19th June it was Kells road race on Crossakiel circuit. It is one of those races that are on Saturday and Sunday, so it’s quite practical as we don’t have to take days off.
We left Cork on Saturday morning, not early enough to get there before road closure, so we first went to the B&B to leave our stuffs before heading to the circuit. We arrived through another road as last year, actually to the place where we had been watching from last year for race day. The field from which we had watched last year was not open to the public this year though.
We parked the car and looked for a place to stay going through the fields. As the road was already closed and there was very little time between each practice session, we just stayed at the same spot. We could probably go somewhere else through the fields as some people were coming and then disappearing 😉 but we just stayed there. We took some pictures, not too spectacular though as we were not in the best spot.
William Dunlop
Veronika Hancocyova
Tony Willis & Sean Leonard
Micko Sweeney
Melissa Kennedy
James Kelly
Freddie Stewart
Derek Sheils
Derek Mc Gee
Brian Mc Cormack
Brian Coomey
Kells circuit is famous for its jumps, but it will be for some other occasion.
The truth is that the afternoon went by quite quickly because many people went by us, and had a chat with us before being able to cross the road… That way Juan learnt about how to do riding days at Mondello, and many other things 😉 . The Irish people are very sociable people, this is very pleasant and nice.
All practice sessions went by without any incident, and were followed by the Classic Races, and then more practice sessions, until it was late and started to rain.
For the last 2 practice sessions, as we thought it was over (no megaphone where we were), we went back to the bend before the car park. In the last session there was a red flag, Veronika Hancocyova who had a fall, but she was ok.
When all sessions were over and road opened again, we went to the paddock with the car. We went for a walk around the paddock and went to say hello to Yvonne Montgomery. She is a woman who races with a Kawasaki 400 and in Supersport with a GSXR600. I didn’t know her personally but we are on the same forum of photography Irish Race Photography from Baylon Mc Caughey.
It started to rain so she invited us under her “roof” and we chatted a good while with her and Richard, who used to be a Yamaha mechanics and also raced, and who is now spannering for her. She told us that she took her riding licence a few years ago and the next year she started to race. On her first race (circuit) she highsided and broke a few ribs, and in spite of it, she was only counting the days until the next race.
She thinks that short circuit racing is boring, she prefers road racing; she likes to take as braking reference a tree, a house, a fence… and she likes a lot Kells jumps.
After a nice chat, we said goodbye and went on with our walk around the paddock. It was quite full. We finally found Andy Farrell, but he was busy so we just said hello and went on. After another while, we left for the b&b to get some rest.
On Sunday we had our breakfast between Paul Jordan’s team and a French rider who was racing for the first time in Ireland. He usually races in the IRRC on the continent and he was surprised of the differences in organisation.
Then we went to the circuit, to the Jumps part where we took our spot between the hedges. The day had started with rain and it didn’t seem to get better. They closed the road but it was still raining. The marshals were going around the circuit to check the conditions. After a good while waiting, it started to rain more heavily, and we took shelter from the wind behind a camper van. A woman came out of the van to inform us that the races were cancelled.
The truth is that it was raining a lot, and it didn’t seem to get better. There was a lot of wind also, and there was a lot of standing water around the track. It was not quite pleasant to walk around, not saying to race with those bikes…
We went back to the paddock, had a chat with the French team who was disappointed (they had come specially for this race), and then went to say goodbye to Andy Farrell’s team. Then we took the road back home…
The week-end was shorter than planned, but we had a great time on the Saturday, enjoying the practice and the people.
It’s a pity for the club who put so much effort into organising the event, and saw it washed out because of bad weather.
Hope they will bounce back and will come back with great racing soon.
Road Races
Holidays 2016 – NorthWest 200
Our Holidays 2016 started HERE.
On Tuesday it was the first Practice day of the NorthWest 200.
We woke up early, had breakfast and went to the circuit following the GPS, which took us through the Dark Hedges- not a soul there at that time of the day.
We arrived to the circuit and parked on the car park of the Golf next to the paddock. We went to the paddock where we had a look at the bikes of all the different teams. There were also a few racers who were getting prepared: Hutchy, Malachi Mitchell-Thomas, William Dunlop, Maria Costello, etc… After a first round we tried to find Antonio Maeso, who was back to a road race since his accident 2 years ago at the TT, where he almost lost his knee.
For who doesn’t know who is Antonio Maeso, he is one of the very few Spanish riders who raced in the Isle of Man since the FEM doesn’t give anymore licenses to race there since Santi Herrero fatal accident there in 1970. Antonio races under English license. You can follow him on his website: http://www.maeso.eu/
Antonio Maeso – Thursday practice
After asking around and another round we finally saw him going through the technical verifications with the bike, and we followed him to his stand to say hello and wish him good luck.
After a while they closed the road and we went to the grandstand from the paddock, which is at the end of the finish straight, in front of 2 bends. Though from there we couldn’t see the starting grid.
The day was sunny with some cloud from time to time, and this seaside breeze a little fresh, enough to keep my jacket on and put my hat on (down on ground level it was much warmer).
Practice time started with the Newcomers first (if I remember well)- the ones who never participated before- in reduced groups behind a leader, usually a confirmed racer. Then followed with Supersport, Superbike, Supertwin and finally Superstock.
Malachi Mitchell-Thomas
Michael Rutter
The Marshals
Michael Dunlop
The day went on without any incident until 2 minutes before the end of the last practice, which was ended with a red flag. The accident involved Ben Wilson, who resulted with a bad leg injury (when publishing this report, he is still with rehab).
We went back to the paddock and after a round to see if to have a bite there or outside, we decided to go back to the parking, take the bike and go to Coleraine for a bite, then buy some food and back.
On Thursday, the morning was for Practice and the afternoon for races. We left early to take seat before the road closure. As the ticket gave access to any grandstand around the circuit, we went to Metropole bend. From the grandstand we have a good view over Metropole corner, then a short fast straight and then farer away, “Church Corner”. We stayed there all day, taking pics during Practice, that ended around 2.15pm.
Hutchy
William Dunlop
Michael Dunlop
Ryan Farquhar
They opened the road then for about 3 hours. We took advantage to walk around the merchandising stands and buy some drink (which was less expensive than in the paddock, but we had brought our food anyway). When the race hour got closer, the grandstand started to fill quickly. Until it was completely full, not an empty seat.
They started with the Supersport race, which was quite intense, with many overtaking on the long straights of the circuit. We could follow the action on the big screen. Alastair Seeley won the race, beating Robert Dunlop record, with 16 NW200 races wins.
Then started the Supertwin race, which was stopped after 2 laps because of a fire in the garden of a house close to the circuit (a burnt barbecue…), and the firefighters had to act quickly.
Ryan Farquhar & Dani Cooper
Malachi Mitchell-Thomas, Adam McLean, James Cowtown, Danny Webb 
Around 7.45pm the riders were on the grid again for a 4 laps race (I have no pics of the second part as the sun was too low for my camera).
After 2 intense laps with many overtaking between Ryan Farquhar and Dani Cooper, there were red flags out and the ambulance went out. Ryan Farquhar had fallen and Dani Cooper couldn’t avoid him. Both ended up in the hospital, Ryan with many injuries, including broken pelvis and ribs and some bad internal injury, and Dani with a shoulder injury. (When publishing this report, Dani is fit again, but Ryan has been through very tough moments and with a long way to full recovery. But he is quite optimistic and confirmed that his team will be racing next year).
After a long while without information, and with too many people walking around the circuit while the road was still closed, we were finally able to get back to the bike and get out when road opened again. There was a beautiful sunset on the ocean, but spirits were too low for taking pictures…
Saturday was the big day, Race day. We woke up early and arrived to the circuit around 8.00am. The roads closed at 9.30am so we went for a walk around the paddock.
If you go to the NW200 with your bike, think about taking something to put under the sidestand of your bike, some car parks are not for bikes… the Golf parking is part of the Golf, so it’s grass all around, and it’s better to be ready…
The teams were very busy and there was a long queue for the bikes technical verifications.
Then we went to the Grandstand we had booked for the Saturday.
With the “Grandstand” pass you can access to any grandstand around the circuit on Tuesday and Thursday, without a reserved seat, first arrived, first served. Then on Saturday you have your seat booked on the grandstand you chose. We were on the so-called “Start-Finish” grandstand, where you can only see the Starting grid (and the podium if you are enough on the right side), as the “Finish” line is far behind big containers with all the Television, Race control and so, so we can’t see it bar on screen. (I think there is no actual grandstand in front of the Finish line).
We were on the second row from the bottom, which is quite down taking into account that on the front of the grandstand, there is the area reserved for disabled persons, with wheelchairs, and depending on where you are, you can’t see too well the starting grid. But we had a good sight on the podium.
If you chose this grandstand, it is better to take some row from the 4th row and up, and from the middle to the right (facing the podium). But not too much on the right hand side if you want to see well the starting grid… When you book the tickets it’s impossible to see what’s the view from the seat.
The day was very sunny still, but there was a chilly breeze coming under the seats on the feet (where the sun didn’t get). But we did not complain, this was the first NW200 with sunshine in 10 years…
They finally closed the road and the races started. The truth is that watching the start is really impressive, all the grandstand is vibrating with the roaring of the engines, thrilling. The rest of the races is mainly seen on the screen and the small bit when they go through the double bent at the end of the finish line, this is a nice view when they are all grouped together, and it can be quite “funny” when some rider misses the bend and does some motocross…
Also it is interesting to see how the teams and the racers get prepared before the start.
Michael Dunlop
In any case, personally I would recommend to book another grandstand for the Saturday, where there is more action, and maybe watch the Thursday afternoon races from this one (though I guess they fill in quite early for Thursday, and it might be quite boring to follow all practice from that grandstand on Thursday morning).
Anyway the races were quite intense, particularly the Superstock one. There was some red flag and some delay out of the organisation hands, but the first 3 races (Supersport, Superstock and Superbike) were very interesting and nice to follow (on screen).
Superstock Podium- Hutchy, Hickman, Seeley
The fourth one, the Supertwin one, was stopped with a red flag. The first two racers had gone through the bends before us, and the 3rd one, the young fella Malachi Mitchell-Thomas did not follow. Then we saw Jeremy Mc Williams, who was in 4th, coming in and get directly into boxes after the red flag. Something might have happened with Malachi 🙁 . They informed that there was an incident and that the medical team was working there. It lasted quite a good while and it was worrying. We were together with the Spanish couple we had met at Joey’s Bar on Wednesday. After a good while they informed that the rider involved in the accident did not survive to his injuries 🙁 . They didn’t give the name at that moment but we knew too well who it was 🙁 .
Malachi was 20 years old, he came to racing through Supermoto, and had made his road racing debut in 2014. In 2015 he won the Manx Grand Prix Senior. In 2016 he had a very good season start on the Irish roads, with 2nd in Supertwin, winning in Supersport and Superbike and finishing 2nd of the Grand Final at the Mid-Antrim. Then in Tandragee he followed with a 2nd in Supertwin, 3rd in Supersport, 3rd in the Open/Superbike non championship and 3rd in the Superbike/Open championship. And in Cookstown, he won the Supertwin, finished 3rd in the first Superbike race and 2nd in the second Superbike race. At the beginning of the season he had signed a contract with Cookstown Burrows Engineering Racing Team, and his youth and happy smile in the paddock had already left a big impression on the fans all over Ireland.
This sport gives so many sensations, but sometimes it’s so cruel. He was 20 years old… We will have to think that he went while realising his dream and being happy. Rest in Peace Malachi.
They cancelled the 2 remaining races, and after a short wait for most people to leave, we also went back to the bike, with very low spirit.
Personally and without taking into account the circumstances of the race day ending, if you have to go to only one road race in Ireland, this is not the one I would recommend. At least not if you want to have a taste of the atmosphere of all other road races of the Island. It is much more like a short circuit race from a spectator point of view, you are quite further away from the action (though much closer than in most circuits!), and it’s not cheap either. Well, it’s not compulsory to take a grandstand seat, you can walk and seat around the circuit for free outside of the grandstands, but then you have to know and chose well where to spectate from, as the circuit is very long and it is complicated to move to another place once roads are closed.
The good thing is that you can see most of the most famous road racers and some BSB racers, who usually do the TT (Mc Guinness, Hutchy, Hickman, Dunlops, …), and most don’t do the “National” ones, and maybe have less pressure than in the Isle of Man, being more accessible.
At the end of the season maybe I will be able to give a broader opinion on which race I would recommend best in case of only going to one…
V’s
Road Races
Cookstown 100 -2016
For May Bank holiday week-end I was celebrating my birthday. And nothing better than going to a road race to celebrate it. 🙂
So we had taken our Friday off, and that week-end was Cookstown 100 road race, in Northern Ireland, so there we went.
We left on Friday morning, as early as possible, after searching all the house for our map of Ireland which came with us everywhere since 2013… without success. It just disappeared. Nothing, so as we still have the Tom Tom, it will do for the week-end.
After a few hours of car driving on straight, boring but quite practical roads, we arrived in Moy where we had booked a b&b (having decided to go 1 month before, it’s the nearest we found). We had our sandwiches and left our luggage and went to Cookstown.
For once I hadn’t checked where the circuit was, and it resulted that it is not in Cookstown, but in Orritor, a few miles away. But we were lucky as we saw a panel indicating “Orritor circuit road closed for racing”, so I put Orritor in our TomTom and followed it.
When we arrived the road was already closed, and there was no car park at that entrance (car park is usually a field graciously let by some farmer around during the racing week-end), so we turned back and parked along the road with the other cars, and walked back to the circuit.
When we arrived with the car they were running Classics practice, and by the time we walked back they had started with 600/Supersport practice. We arrived through the end of the start/finish straight line, and the riders arrived at an incredible speed there, thrilling.
We could walk up to the paddock through a protected path on the outside of the circuit. We arrived there after the end of 600 practice. The paddock was divided in 2, a small part on the outside of the circuit, where you could find the village’s shop (where we bought the program), and most important: the pub 😉 . The other part of the paddock was on the inside of the circuit.
Between 2 practices, we crossed the circuit to the grandstand in front of the pub, and from there we watched the rest of practice time and the first 2 races that were ran late afternoon.
I took pictures from the fence, down the grandstand, as from the grandstand the action was too far away for my lens.
Derek Mc Gee
Paul Jordan
William Dunlop
Dan Kneen
Michal Dokoupil
Derek Sheils
Andy Farrell
Malachi Mitchell-Thomas D.E.P. 🙁
When they were going to start the second race, it was already getting late, and the temperature was lower. But after the 2 warm-up laps, they had to delay the race UNTIL A CLOUD WOULD GET IN FRONT OF THE SUN, as the sun was too low and it was making it dangerous on a back part of the circuit. Unbelievable! 😉 The race finally started but was red flagged on the first lap after a rider high sided on the corner in front of the pub. He was unhurt but the race was finally cancelled and postponed to the next day.
After the road opened, we went to the pub to have an early dinner. There were having dinner the whole Mar-Train team with their rider Dan Keen, and at another table, Maria Costello. That’s not every day you can say you had dinner with those people (around! 😉 ).
After dinner and with the village now quite quiet, we had a walk around the paddock, to see if we could find Andy Farrell’s team. Everybody was already in their vans and motorhomes, and we couldn’t figure out where they were, but they saw us and invited us for a chat. We had a nice and funny moment there, as the first time, a pleasure to talk to Andy and his team again. We left early as the car would still be parked on the roadside and would probably be on its own now. Though we first bought some nice Andy’s team tee-shirts. Most road racers have few means to run their season, and any kind of help is much welcome.
We went back to the car, and it was now on its own, and on top of a hill… which could be quite dangerous at dusk/night (of course we didn’t realise it when we parked it with all the other cars around).
After a good night sleep at the b&b, we woke up for Irish breakfast, with another biker from Wales, Max, who also came for the races, and we went to the circuit.
Now the circuit was indicated in Cookstown so we followed the signs and arrived through another road. The friendly people of the organisation indicated where to park (it was in a farm) and also 2 spots to watch the races.
Though we came back to the grandstand of the previous day, which was better to take pics. We were silly enough to leave our fold-away chairs in the car, and of course, on our way to the grandstand, it started raining a little, just enough to get the grandstand wet… we are still quite newcomers for road racing spectators basic outfit LOL. Though our grandstand neighbour, a nice man, lent us a big plastic bag to sit on 🙂 .
The day started with a short blessing, thanking God and asking for his protection to all people taking part. It was quite unusual for us, but it was very nice and natural. Then the racing day started.
For the first race the road was still a little bit damp. It was the 600 Invitation that doesn’t count for Championship. I spent my day between the grandstand watching the races, and down at the fence, taking pictures, when someone would leave some spare room during some of the races.
I realised that I am not able to take pics and follow the race at once. I enjoy a lot taking pics, but then I miss the race action. And also I enjoy so much watching the races… It’s so thrilling. So the ideal would be to take pics during practice and just enjoy the races. Though sometimes I just can’t help taking the camera out 😉 .
William Dunlop
Derek Sheils
Dan Kneen
The 125/Moto3 race was so good to watch, Paul Jordan was on fire. Incredible the pace at which he would go through that bend. And I almost had a heart attack during the Superbike race. The top riders would just fly through that bend, so close to the protection hedge and wheeling out of the bend, just thrilling. I tried to take some video, but it just doesn’t reflect the speed and the action. Still have to work my video skills also lol.
On the fifth lap I was asking how many laps are left because it was just too much action for me 😀 . Juan told me I was shouting, and our neighbour might have thought I was mad or something LOL.
I spent the Supertwins race taking pics at the fence, so I didn’t follow too much of the action, but I just love so much the heavenly sound of the twins 🙂 .
4 women riders were taking part in Cookstown 100 races: Melissa Kennedy in 125/Moto3, Yvonne Montgomery inSupport with a GSXR600 and in 400cc with a Kawa, Maria Costello in Supertwins and Veronika Hancocyova (from Czech Republic) with a Supertwin in Supertwin and Support.
Yvonne Montgomery
Veronika Hancocyova
Maria Costello
The day went on fast, with an accident in our bent, with the rider injured but no broken bones according to the following day updates. Wishing him a prompt and full recovery.
Before Classics race we started to come back to the car. We had to run a little between races, but that way we could try the other 2 grandstands. We watched the 400cc race from the last grandstand before the car park, it’s incredible how fast can go those small (and not too young) machines!
We spent two incredible days, with the best organisation! Many thanks to the Club, the riders for such a thrilling performance, and to the medical team for taking care of them. We will be back for sure!
A very happy birthday at the races!
Road Races
2016 Road Racing Calendar
The 2016 calendar is confirmed for Northern Ireland road races and for Isle of Man and England.
The dates for the races in the Republic of Ireland have not been officially confirmed yet by the Clubs, they are the proposals.
Update 02/12/2015: The calendar for IRRC is now confirmed.
I will update the list when confirmed.
IRELAND (NORTH and REPUBLIC) & ISLE OF MAN (chronological)
*1-2 April 2016: Mid-Antrim 150 (Clough – Ballymena – Co. Antrim – Northern Ireland)
*22-23 April 2016: Tandragee 100 (Tandragee- co. Armagh- Northern Ireland)
*29-30 April 2016: Cookstown 100 (Cookstown- co. Tyrone- Northern Ireland)
*10-15 May 2016: Northwest 200 (Coleraine-Portrush-Porststewart- co. Antrim- Northern Irleand)
*28 May to 10 June 2016: Isle of Man TT (Isle of Man)
*18-19 June 2016: Kells Road Race (Crossakiel- co. Meath- Republic of Ireland)
*1-2 July 2016: Skerries 100 (Loughshinny- co. Dublin – Republic of Ireland):
http://www.loughshinnymotorcycleclub.com/
*9-10 July 2016: Walderstown “Race of the South” (co. Westmeath – Republic of Ireland)
*11-14 July 2016: Southern 100 – (Isle of Man)
*23-24 July 2016: Faugheen 50 Road Race (co. Tipperary – Republic of Ireland)
*29-30 July 2016: Armoy Road Races (Armoy – co. Antrim – Northern Ireland)
*10-13 August 2016: International Ulster GP, Dundrod (co. Antrim – Northern Ireland)
http://www.ulstergrandprix.net/
*10-11 September 2016: Killalane (Loughshinny- co. Dublin – Republic of Ireland)
http://www.loughshinnymotorcycleclub.com/
ENGLAND
SCARBOROUGH- OLIVER’S MOUNT CIRCUIT (North Yorkshire – England)
*Spring Cup: 16-17 April 2016
*Barry Sheene Race & Rally Festival: 23-24 April 2016
*Cock O’ the North: 18-19 June 2016
*International Gold Cup Road Races: 24-25 September 2016
http://oliversmountracing.com/
IRRC 2016
30 April- 1 May: Varsselring, Hengelo
15-16 May: Oss
20/21 June: Oostende
22-24 July: Chimay
6-7 August: Hořice
20-21 August: Imatra (Finland- new race on the calendar)
24-25 September: Frohbur
V’s
Road Races
Road Racing circuits guide
Here is a non exhaustive list of the road racing circuits.
Update 02/01/2019: list of circuits where there have been Road Races over the past few years. Some are not held every year but may come back.
For the 2019 CALENDAR it’s here
List is by geographical area, and in each area, in alphabetical order (except IRRC).
NORTHERN IRELAND
Armoy Road Races (Armoy – co. Antrim)
Bush Road Races (Dungannon – co. Tyrone)
Cookstown 100 (Cookstown- co. Tyrone)
Enniskillen Road Races (Enniskillen – Co. Fermanagh)
https://enniskillenroadraces.co.uk/
Mid-Antrim 150 (Clough – Ballymena – Co. Antrim)
http://www.midantrim150.co.uk/
Northwest 200 (Coleraine-Portrush-Porststewart- co. Antrim)
Tandragee 100 (Tandragee- co. Armagh)
International Ulster GP, Dundrod (co. Antrim)
http://www.ulstergrandprix.net/
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Faugheen 50 Road Race (Faugheen- co. Tipperary)
Kells Road Race (Crossakiel- co. Meath)
Killalane – (Dublin)
Munster 100 (Glanmire, co. Cork)
Munster 100 Motorcycle Road Race
Skerries 100 (Dublin)
https://www.skerriesroadraces.com/
Walderstown “Race of the South” (co. Westmeath)
ISLE OF MAN
Isle of Man TT & Manx Grand Prix
https://www.manxgrandprix.org/
“Southern 100” – Billown circuit
UNITED KINGDOM
OLIVER’S MOUNT CIRCUIT – SCARBOROUGH (North Yorkshire – England)
Barry Sheene Classic
Gold Cup
WELSH ROAD RACE – Mynydd Eppynt Circuit – (Wales)
IRRC – International Road Racing Championship
The IRRC Championships also can have different circuits from one year to another. In 2016 was added Imatra Circuit in Finland. Other circuits may disappear. Please refer to the corresponding year calendar.
Varsselring, Hengelo, The Netherlands
Paalgraven, Oss, The Netherlands
Nordzee Omloop, Oostende, Belgium
http://www.ostendmotorsport.be/
Circuit de Chimay, Chimay, Belgium
Frohburger Dreieck, Frohburg, Germany
http://www.frohburger-dreieck.de/
Imatranajo – Imatra – Finland
https://www.imatranajo.fi/content/en/2/10005/Home.html
Circuit 300 curves of Gustav Havel, Horiçe, Czech Republic
http://www.amkhorice.cz/en/races/czech-tt/
Terlicko – Czech Republic
OTHER CZECH ROAD RACING CIRCUITS (no IRRC)
Thanks to Eva Koňáková from Eva-moto for all the information, and for allowing me to use her circuits maps.
Dymokurský okruh, Dymokury
Radvanice
SLOVAKIAN ROAD RACING CIRCUITS
Kopčanský motookruh, Kopčany
Velká cena Piešťan, letiště Piešťany
When European season is over, you can still go to:
Macau GP – Macau – China
https://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/en/
Cemetery Circuit – Wanganui – New Zealand
Invercargill Street Race – (Burt Munro Challenge) – New Zealand
If you know about any other road race, please feel free to contact me! Website or facebook links and maps would be very useful to complete the list!
This list doesn’t include circuits holding only Classic bikes races and modern 125cc races, this would make the task a little bit too complicated. Sorry.
Thanks!
V’s
