THE Armoy Road Races 2018 is back and with it comes a full list of activities to commemorate the 10th anniversary.
Kickstarting on Saturday 21st July, Armoy’s annual bike week offers something for everyone with a whole host of events scheduled in the run up to the hugely anticipated, 10th anniversary Armoy Road Races, Bayview Hotel Race of Legends 2018.
Bill Kennedy MBE, Chairman of Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club and Clerk of the Course said,
“The week before the big weekend is a very exciting time for the club, not only because it’s a time when we begin to see all the hard work throughout the year finally come together, but also because we have a fantastic line-up of activities for everyone to enjoy.”
First up on Saturday 21st is the Truck Run, departing from Station Road Car Park, the run will head out to Ballycastle after a trophy presentation via Ramore Road, White Park Road, North Street, Quay Road and Castle Street, returning to Armoy via the Lagge Road.
Bill continues,
“Bike week wouldn’t be the same without everyone’s favourite bike run and barbeque which takes place this year on Sunday 22nd July. Travelling through Ballymoney, Garvagh, Limavady, Benone and Castlerock, the bike run will stop off at Coleraine and Ballycastle before heading back for a BBQ which will be held in Armoy beside the River Bush.
On Sunday evening, I would encourage everyone to attend the beautiful church service at St Patrick’s Church, it is the perfect opportunity to reflect over the last 10 years and be mindful of our hopes for a successful and safe race weekend.”
Something different this year, from Sunday 22nd July to Tuesday 24th July, you can take a walk down memory lane with our photography exhibition which records the last ten memorable years of Armoy, something that will evoke all sorts of great memories.”
Other activities include, a car boot and auto jumble sale on Tuesday 24th July, taking place at the Station Road Car Park, Classic Car Display and a showing of ‘The story of Armoy Road Races’ on Wednesday 25th and Classic Bike Display on Thursday 26th July.
Bill continues,
“Finally, on Thursday 26th July, the eve of race weekend, we have our renowned Miss Armoy competition, which brings together the talented young ladies in the community. Taking place in the marquee in the paddock and hosted by Downtown Radio’s Gary Myles, the Miss Armoy competition will be followed by live music from the talented local rock band, ‘Roll the Dice.’
Road racing begins on Friday 27th July with the 600cc Supersport Race 1 and Senior Support Race 1. Followed by a full nine race day programme on Saturday 28th July, culminating in the Bayview Hotel Race of Legends 2018.
Our Corporate and VIP guests will be enjoying the races in style at our fabulous, now sold out, VIP Corporate Hospitality Marquee and for the younger visitors, G&G Ross will be providing Children’s entertainment beside the food and drink marquee in the paddock area. This entertainment includes bouncy castles, face painting and balloon modelling so there really is something for everyone!”
The roads surrounding Armoy will close on Friday 27th July to allow for the qualifying race and practice race from 12:30pm, reopening no later than 9:30pm. On Saturday 28th roads will close from 10:00am and will reopen no later than 7:30pm.
Armoy Road Races is part funded by Tourism Ireland and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. Bike Week runs from Saturday 21st July until Saturday 28th July, with the Bayview Hotel ‘Race of Legends’ featuring on Saturday 28th July 2018.
Bill concludes,
“Racing fans travel from all over the world to come to the Armoy Road Races, so we like to encourage those travelling from near and far to prolong their stay and enjoy all that Armoy and the Causeway Coast and Glens has to offer, and these activities enable us to do just that. On behalf of the Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club, I hope everyone enjoys what we have planned. It’s a significant year for the club and I look forward to celebrating with everyone.”
FULL LINE UP
Saturday 21st July: Truck Run departing from Station Road Car Park, Armoy at 2.30 pm. The run will head out to Ballycastle after the trophy presentation via Ramore Road, White Park Road, North Street, Quay Road, and Castle Street, returning to Armoy via the Lagge Road. Cost is £10.00 per truck. To register your interest contact Mick Colgan on 078 8509 6357.
Sunday 22nd July:
Bike Run/Barbeque and Church Service: Meet at 10.00am at the Armoy Club Office (Main Street, Armoy) to ‘sign on’ and leaving at 10.30 am sharp. The route will travel through Ballymoney, Garvagh and Limavady and then onto the coast road through Benone and Castlerock stopping off in Coleraine for a photo opportunity and Ballycastle for customary refreshments before heading back to Armoy for a BBQ which will be held in Armoy beside the River Bush. Cost is £10.00 per person. Contact Joe O’Kane (077 3287 9536) for further information.
Church Service: A Church service led by Reverend C Easton will take place at 6.00 pm in St Patrick’s Church Hall. Everyone welcome.
Photograph/Artwork Exhibition: An exhibition of photographs/artwork recording events over the last 10 years will be taking place in St Olcan’s Hall, Armoy to commemorate our 10th Anniversary. The exhibition will run for three consecutive days.
Opening times: Sunday 22nd July: 1.00 pm – 5.00 pm, admission £1.00 per person.
Monday 23rd July: 1.00 pm – 9.00 pm, admission £1.00 per person.
Tuesday 24th July: 1.00 pm – 9.00 pm, admission £1.00 per person.
Tuesday 24th July: Car Boot Sale: A Car Boot and Auto Jumble Sale will take place at Station Road Car Park, Armoy from 5.00 pm – 9.00 pm. For further information and to register your interest, please contact Selma McMullan on 077 5267 8454.
Wednesday 25th July:
Classic Car Display: Ballymoney Old Vehicle Club will be visiting Armoy gathering from 5.00 pm. All types of classic, rare & collectable cars and trucks are expected in the village where a huge number of enthusiasts turn out to admire the scene and enjoy the craic. Refreshments available afterwards in Tilly Molloy’s Hall.
Showing of ‘The story of Armoy Road Races’: Taking place in the Community Hall beside the race office, a film by Colin James will take a look back at the past 10 years of the Armoy Road Races.
Thursday 26th July:
Classic Bike Display & Miss Armoy Competition. Gathering of the Coleraine Motorcycle Club & the Japanese Vintage Club’s display of bikes from our racing past. Bikes will be on show outside Tilly Molloy’s in Armoy village from 7.00 pm. Refreshments will be available afterwards in Tilly Malloy’s Hall.
Miss Armoy Competition, Guest Judges will choose who will take the title of ‘Miss Armoy 2018’. The competition will be held in the marquee in the paddock from 9.00pm. There will be an event bar and live music provided by local rock band ‘Roll the Dice’. This year’s compere will be the one and only Gary Myles from Downtown Radio; This is a first for Gary and we are all looking forward to meeting him so come along and enjoy the show!
Friday & Saturday 27th & 28th July: Armoy Road Races:
Friday 27th July – Practice Day plus 600cc Supersport (Race 1) and Senior Support (Race 1): Both races will be held during the course of the evening’s practice.
Saturday 28th July – The Bayview Hotel, Portballintrae ‘Race of Legends’: Full 9 Race programme culminating in the feature “Race of Legends” superbike race.
Children’s entertainment courtesy of G&G Ross will be taking place in the lower paddock. Two bouncy castles, face painter, balloon modeller and cartoon character.
