‘Race of Legends’ the Armoy Road Race has attracted a full house of competitors, with 286 entries drawn from 129 riders who are competing for an £18,400 prize fund (including the Cross-Border Championship) in what is the final race of the 2010 Ulster Championship season. The Coleraine Skip Hire & Recycling backed event boasts a 10 race programme and takes place on Saturday 7th August on the edge of Armoy village close to the scenic Glens of Antrim in Moyle region. Roads close at 10am sharp on the Saturday morning and will re-open again by 7pm. Practice Day is Friday 6th August with roads closing from 2.30pm to 9pm to allow competitors to undertake untimed and timed laps per session.


New for 2010 is a specially designed and constructed chicane located on the Hillside Road before the first bend of the course after the start/finish area. Clerk of Course Bill Kennedy said he is extremely pleased with this new safety improvement which will help reduce competitor speed at a particularly fast stretch of the circuit. M.C.U.I. Roads Inspection Committee gave formal approval for the chicane at the week-end. Explained Bill Kennedy, “The new chicane – now a permanent feature - was part of a range of ongoing safety improvements including additional safety bales and pole protectors and I’m delighted with the results. I’d like to thank the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Minister Nelson McCausland, 2&4 Wheel Motorsport Group and Sport Northern Ireland for their funding and support for this new safety initiative.”

Bill Kennedy said he was pleased with the quality line-up of riders which includes 53 newcomer, set to take part in this the second ‘Race of Legends.’ The hard working race chief went on to outline details for Race Day: “Since entries closed earlier in July our committee has been hard at work with final event preparations ensuring we have everything in place for this week-end. Several races have been over-subscribed and for these races during practice sessions, two groups will be run and the fastest 27 qualifiers will line up on Race Day. If there are enough non-qualifiers and time permits the Armoy Club aims to run an additional race as a bonus for both riders and spectators.”

Top competitors set to grace the grid line include popular Scots man Keith Amor and Czech rider Michael Dokoupil. Local names taking part include Ryan Farquhar, Ballymoney’s Adrian Archibald and Paul Robinson, John Burrows and brothers Michael and William Dunlop who will be joined by cousin Sam. Whilst Englishman Guy Martin has originally planned compete at Armoy, he will be on duty at Brands Hatch as will ‘Down Under’ rider Cameron Donald who had considered debuting the Race of Legends.

“Our newly introduced Cross-border Championship, supported by Adelaide Insurance Services and Coleraine Skip Hire, remains a vital part of our programme and these Championship races will generate a £4,800 prize fund. Unfortunately due to persistent rain at the Kells Road Race the first leg of the Championship was abandoned. However the Armoy leg is now even more exciting with the 600cc Supersport, the Open and the Senior Support winners claiming the Cross Border bonuses.”

Organised by the Armoy Road Racing Club, Bill Kennedy and his team have been working round the clock as Race Day beckons. “As expected safety is our top priority and we have a full Event Safety Plan created and my team colleague Alastair Glass has been diligently organising an extensive number of safety bales and kerb protectors which will be placed throughout the 3 mile course. Bales have been sourced from NW200 organisers, Coleraine & District Motor Club, the M.C.U.I. (Ulster Centre) and the Mid-Antrim Motor Club and we would like to thank everyone for their help and support.

Bill Kennedy went on to thank the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Moyle District Council and lead sponsor Coleraine Skip Hire & Recycling without whom the event could not have been staged. “It’s been a pleasure working alongside Coleraine Skip Hire MD Packie Laverty and his team. I know as a local man Packie was right behind us in our efforts to get this event up and running particularly as he personally knew some of the ‘Armada’ riders.

“Armoy is located in the beautiful Moyle District Council region and we’re delighted the Council is once again on board and would like to thank councillors and staff for the cash funding and in kind support they’ve provided. With a busy 10 race programme we have also been wowed by the sponsorship generated for each individual race. Local companies have been extremely generous and we’re very grateful for such a positive response.”

The Club has produced an A4 glossy programme which is on sale priced at £10 and features details on all races, rider profiles and interesting facts about the legendary Armoy Armada. Programme purchase also includes free car-parking in an official AMRRC car park and these are located close to the circuit and are clearly signposted. Additional car parking is available throughout the area priced £5 per car whilst motorbike parking costs £3 per bike.

The 2010 programme is available from the following outlets; The Garage, Armoy, JSC Builders Merchants, Gracehill Road in Armoy, the Golden Plough Garage, Centra Store and Garage in Ballymoney, Eurospar in Ballycastle. The programme can also be purchased from individual private sellers. Visitors can also purchase commemorative race clothing and merchandise. For more details visit http://www.amrrc.com.

A pits/paddock area will be located on Hillside Road behind the start/finish area with access from Ballykenver Road and the site will include Race Control, competitor signing on and scrutineering zones, Hospitality Tent and Press Accreditation centre.

Designated prohibited areas are set up for spectator safety and will be clearly marked and signposted. Marshals will be on duty at various locations to guide and advise spectators.

A prize giving ceremony will be held in the VIP Marquee approximately 45 minutes after the final race.

The Armoy Armada

The Armoy Armada was established in 1977 and consisted of Mervyn Robinson, Joey Dunlop, Frank Kennedy & Jim Dunlop. The life span of the Armoy Armada covered 3 seasons of racing from 1977 to 1979; during that time these men demonstrated acts of commitment, dedication, camaraderie and talent proving that the Armoy Armada really were legends in the sport of Road Racing.


Frank Kennedy 'Big Frank'

Frank Kennedy also known as 'Big Frank' stood at over 6 feet; he was so tall he towered over even the biggest of motorbikes which made racing that little bit more difficult. Frank was prone to accidents, though this did not hinder his dedication to road racing; he was once seen jumping on the back of a motorbike with two broken legs!!

Frank owned a car showroom near Armoy which produced good business for him, although most of the profits were pumped into his bikes.

A career best for 'Big Frank' was in the 1976 North West 200 when he was placed second to the English rider Martin Sharpe. Sadly Frank's motor racing career and life were cut short when he was seriously injured in 1979 at North West 200.


Jim Dunlop

Jim Dunlop, the only surviving member of the foursome, and younger brother of Joey was born in the small town of Ballymoney.

His enthusiasm for Road Racing grew from an early age. He has many achievements to his name.

He took part in the Isle of Man competitions from 1977 to 1981 with his brothers Joey and Robert.

Recently Jim unveiled a specially-commissioned sculpture - a motorbike, shaped in stone by the Belfast artists Mark Anthony and Sean Doyle. The monument is tribute to the achievements and successes of the Armoy Armada and their commitment to road racing throughout the years.


Joey Dunlop 'The Girk' (25th February 1952 - 2nd July 2000)

Joey, the world champion road racer, was born in Ballymoney, County Antrim. Joey took an interest in motoring racing at an early age, as his passion for the sport grew he soon realised that racing motorbikes was his future in life. Joey had been racing from the age of 15, his first racing bike was a 199cc Tiger Cub which cost £50. In later years it was soon easy to spot him with his distinctive yellow helmet and his personal racing number 3.

The first of Joey's record breaking 26 wins came in the 1977 Jubilee Classic Race. He won the TT Formula 1 Race six years in a row between 1983 and 1988 and was also Formula 1 World Champion five times. One of his most notable accomplishments was his three hat-tricks- 1985 F1, Senior and Junior, 1988 F1, Senior and Junior and in 2000 the Formula One, Lightweight and Ultra Lightweight. Joey is the only rider to do this and justifies why 'The Girk' is a rightful legend in the sport of Road racing.

In 1986 Joey was awarded an MBE for his contribution to motor racing. He also received an OBE in 1995 in recognition of his charity work. In 1993 Joey was granted Honorary Freeman of Ballymoney Borough and further to this in 2000 he was awarded the Manx Sword of State in the Isle of Man.

In 2000 at the age of 48 just weeks after winning his final Isle of Man TT, Joey sadly died as a result of a crash in the Republic of Estonia.

Fifty thousand mourners attended the funeral, which was attended by bikers from across Ireland and the United Kingdom. A memorial statue was erected in his home town of Ballymoney, Northern Ireland. In the true sense of the word Joey was the 'King of the Road'.


Mervyn Robinson 'Robo'

Mervyn, Robo, Robinson's racing career began in 1968. He had great passion for road racing and it was Mervyn's enthusiasm that got Joey Dunlop interested in the sport. He was a mechanic by trade and could fix anything; Mervyns technical ability enabled him to make unused bikes and bike parts road worthy once again.

Mervyn had his first win in 1974 at Kirkistown racetrack, but it was his victory at the 1975 Ulster Grand Prix that proved one of the finest moments and achievement in his career.

Mervyn's racing career and life were cut unfairly short when he crashed at the 1980 Northwest 200 in the 500cc race. He lost control at the dreaded Mather's Cross, a sharp bend in the Portrush road.


Direct copy from the Armoy Road Races website