Sport

Armoy's Race of Legends set to be star event

Michelle Pirro. Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalunya MotoGP
Michelle Pirro. Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalunya MotoGP Michelle Pirro. Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalunya MotoGP

THE annual Armoy Road Races Bike Week gets under way next weekend, with a fun-filled programme of events leading up to the race day on July 29.

The week launches on Sunday July 23 with the popular annual Bike Run to Larne, passing through Cloughmills to The Battery Inn, taking in the sights as they return via the Coast Road to Ballycastle for a break and refreshments.

Chairman and clerk of the course, Bill Kennedy said: “The lead up to Race Week is always a very exciting time for us at Armoy Road Races.

“We want to make sure everyone has good fun and enjoys their time, which is why we have a busy week of activities leading up to the main races on Saturday.

“We would encourage everyone to come along and join in the fun, as there really is something for everyone.

“Miss Armoy, seen as one of the major highlights of Bike Week, welcomes young women from all over Northern Ireland and the local area to come along and enjoy a great night’s craic at Armoy,'' added Kennedy.

“We hope everyone enjoys this packed week of activities and the races, and continues to support us, as they have done in previous years, in our ninth year.”

The first race on Friday evening will be a Senior Support (non-championship) race followed by the first of our Supersport 600 races.

The road racing begins in earnest on Saturday morning, with the Roadside Kia ‘Race of Legends’, which consists of a full nine-race programme.

Roads surrounding Armoy will close on Friday July 28 to allow for the qualifying race and practice race from 12.30pm, reopening no later than 9.30pm.

On Saturday July 29, roads will close from 10am and will reopen no later than 7.30pm.

Meanwhile next weekend's Faughen 150 road races, near Carrick-on-Suir, will go ahead as planned.

It was rumoured that the event would not be run but a club official has confirmed that the 2017 races will go ahead.