While much of the UK is looking pretty parched, it’s safe to say that the fields in Northern Ireland are as green as ever!
Last Friday we were lucky enough to fly out to Belfast, to attend the 10th anniversary of the Armoy Road Races as a guest of Michelin, who were a sponsor of the 2nd Senior Support Race.
Friday was practice day, followed by the opening two races of the weekend, with a win for Stephen McKeown riding on Michelin’s Power race tyres in the first Senior Support.
However, Friday for us involved an essential pilgrimage to Joey’s Bar, and a pint of the black stuff for good measure.
Sadly on Saturday, the weather had taken a turn for the worse, but organisers were seemingly confident that the event would go ahead.
With time to kill, we took a walk around the sodden paddock, where we saw first hand how Michelin are clearly getting a solid foothold on the Irish road racing scene thanks to some great results from the likes of Daryll Tweed and Davey Todd. With Michelin currently lacking a 160-rear Power Cup EVO until at least October, Todd’s Cookstown BE Supertwin has been running the acclaimed Power RS hypersport tyre this season, and to great effect considering it is primarily a road tyre.
At 10:30am, the sound of revving engines brought the hospitality tent to life as everyone donned their jackets to find a spot as close as possible to the action. Half an hour later, and still nothing…
Sadly we soon learned of an incident on track involving one of the organisers, who had come off his bike during a sweep of the three mile circuit, which saw the air ambulance brought in.
In the meantime we were treated to an interview with TT legend John McGuinness, and five time winner Brian Reid, one of John’s childhood heroes and a member of the infamous Dromara Destroyers.
With racing due to resume at 12:45pm, we headed back out to one of the grandstands close to the start/finish line, which afforded a fantastic view of Kennedy’s. Derek McGee and Michael Sweeney were soon called down to the course car for a circuit inspection.
Another fifteen minutes passed, and Clerk of the Course Bill Kennedy was called, and it wasn’t long before the message came over the tannoy – all races cancelled… and the weather soon turned, with heavy rain and strong winds blowing in off the Atlantic within the hour.
The disappointment was etched across the faces of everyone in the crowd as the announcement was read out. However, there was unequivocal support for the decision from all, bar a very small minority.
This was my first Irish road race meeting, and it didn’t take long to understand that for many spectators, this isn’t just a sport, it’s almost like a religion. Attending a race, only to find that it gets cancelled due to bad weather, is just part and parcel of being a fan, and everyone respects the decision of the riders and organisers, who put so much on the line for everyone else’s viewing pleasure.
Yes it was a shame, especially when you’re been handed to opportunity to present trophies, but there will always be another opportunity to spend a day at the races.
Plus we got to head back to the bar….
Thanks for the team at Michelin for the invite and their hospitality.
You can view their full race range here – all available from Cambrian Tyres for our trade customers!
