Road Races
2018 Road Racing Calendar
Here is the 2018 Road Racing Calendar (update 03/02/2018).
Even if most dates are confirmed, ALWAYS check on the official site of the event before booking.
Always remember that it is important that the fans participate as much as possible in the funding effort, paying the entry fee and/or buying a programme, or using the carparks organised for the events. Also anybody can become a member of any club organising a road race.
IRELAND (NORTH and REPUBLIC) & ISLE OF MAN (chronological order)
*27-28 April 2018: Cookstown 100 (Cookstown- co. Tyrone- Northern Ireland)
*4-5 May 2018: Tandragee 100 (Tandragee- co. Armagh- Northern Ireland)
*15-19 May 2018: Northwest 200 (Coleraine-Portrush-Porststewart- co. Antrim- Northern Irleand)
*26 May to 8 June 2018: Isle of Man TT (Ile de Man)
*23-24 June 2018: Kells Road Race (Crossakiel- co. Meath- Republic of Ireland)
*29-30 June 2018: Enniskillen road race (Enniskillen- co. Fermanagh- Northern Ireland)
*7-8 July 2018 (it will be Saturday/Sunday): Skerries 100 (Loughshinny- co. Dublin – Republic of Ireland):
http://www.loughshinnymotorcycleclub.com/
*9-12 July 2018: Southern 100 – (Ile de Man- Billown Circuit)
*14-15 July 2018: Walderstown “Race of the South” (co. Westmeath – Republic of Ireland)
*21-22 July 2018: Faugheen 50 Road Race (co. Tipperary – Republic of Ireland)
*27-28 July 2018: Armoy Road Races (Armoy – co. Antrim – Northern Ireland)
*5-11 August 2018: International Ulster GP, Dundrod (co. Antrim – Northern Ireland)
http://www.ulstergrandprix.net/
*8-9 September 2018 (TBC): East Coast Motorcycle Festival, Killalane (co. Dublin – Republic of Ireland)
East Coast Motorcycling (Facebook page)
The Mid Antrim 150 Club has confirmed that unfortunately they will not be able to hold a road race in 2018. But they hope to be back in 2019.
UNITED KINGDOM
SCARBOROUGH- OLIVER’S MOUNT CIRCUIT (North Yorkshire – England)
*Spring Cup: 21-22 April 2018
*Cock O’ the North: 23-24 June 2018
*Barry Sheene Festival: 28-29 July 2018
*International Gold Cup Road Races: 22-23 September 2018
http://oliversmountracing.com/
CANCELLED 🙁 (03/02/18) WELSH ROAD RACE – Mynydd Eppynt Circuit – (Wales) – The organisers are working hard for 2019: welshroadrace.com
IRRC 2018
5-6 May 2018: Hengelo (NL)
16-17 June 2018: Terlicko (CZ)
6-8 July 2018: Imatra (FI)
27 -29 July 2018: Chimay (BE)
18-19 August 2018: Hořice (CZ)
22-23 September 2018: Frohburg (DE)
CZECH REPUBLIC & SLOVAKIA- Provisional
There are other road races in Czech Republic, apart from Horiçe and Terlicko where there will be IRRC races in 2018 (see above IRRC section).
Thanks to Eva Koňáková from https://silnicnimotorky.cz/sport/road-racing for all the information, and for allowing me to use her calendar and the circuits maps for my Road Racing Circuits Guide.
Thanks to http://www.czechroadracing.cz/ for their help also.
Motorclub CAMS is running 4 races in 2018 (CZ & SK):
http://www.motocams.cz/prirodni-okruhy/aktuality/1370
*6-8 April 2018: Jarní cena Brna, Automotodrom Brno (not road) CZ
*2-3 June 2018: Kopčanský motookruh, Kopčany, SK
https://silnicnimotorky.cz/sport/road-racing/kopcany-2017-preview-harmonogram/
*6-8 July 2018: Velká cena Piešťan, letiště Piešťany, SK
https://silnicnimotorky.cz/sport/road-racing/velka-cena-piestan-2017-preview-harmonogram/
*1- 2 September 2018: Dymokurský okruh, Dymokury, CZ
https://silnicnimotorky.cz/sport/road-racing/dymokury-2017-preview-harmonogram/
Motorclub AUTOCLUB CZ is running the others (all CZ):
*19-20 May 2018: 300 zatáček Gustava Havla, Hořice (300 curves of Gustav Havel)
http://www.amkhorice.cz/en/races/300-curves/
*TBC: Hradec Králové (airport)
*16-17 June 2018: Těrlicko (IRRC) www.irrc.eu
*14-15 July 2018: Radvanice https://silnicnimotorky.cz/sport/road-racing/radvanice-2017-preview-harmonogram/
*18-19 August 2018: Česká TT + IRRC Hořice http://www.amkhorice.cz/en/races/czech-tt / www.irrc.eu
NEW ZEALAND
26 December 2018: Cemetery Circuit, Wanganui
Reminder: List of the Circuits HERE
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
