April 2024 - TBNI.Blog - The Official TBNI.Blog

2024 North West 200 Road Closures

April 30, 2024April 30, 2024 by TomBoyNI

2024 North West 200 Road Closures :

The 2024 North West 200 will run over the week of 6th – 11th May 2024 on the Triangle Circuit of Northern Ireland’s beautiful north coast. The circuit starts in Portrush, and skirts Portstewart and Coleraine before bringing itself back to one of the island’s most famous seaside towns

A detailed visitors guide for the event can be found here and covers a brief history of the event, details and pricing of grandstand tickets, paddock passes and the new Fan Zone as well as circuit details, directions to the event and other useful information such as the meanings of the flags used around the course and links to all Official sites.

As a result of this event all roads used as part of the circuit will be closed to all non official or authorised traffic – as well as all roads that approach and join the course. Full details will be posted on the relevant roads, which will also be marked as closed, manned by Marshals and security. Police will also be in attendance.

Road closures are legal and backed up by a road closure order. Breaching a road closure is a criminal offence. A link to the full road closure order can be found below.

A road closure order is in place for the 2024 North West 200 for the following times on each day :

2024 Cookstown 100 Results

April 28, 2024 by TomBoyNI

2024 Cookstown 100 Results :

The 2024 Cookstown 100 ran over the weekend of 26th and 27th April 2024. Friday saw every weather imaginable, properly four seasons in one day, with almost freezing temperatures around the circuit, then came the hail and sleet, followed by wind and rain with the odd sunny interval. However by later afternoon and just in time for the evening’s race session, the sun appeared and brought us a lovely spring evening, even if it was a little chilly.

Saturday, on the other hand was bright and sunny all day long. Whilst lots of other places in Northern Ireland got soaked the Orritor circuit remained bone dry, bright and sunny. What that then did was bring the crowds. With car parking really only available on the Orritor Road cars were lined from the road closure right into the mouth of the town with the racing fans turning out in their hundreds they took on the hike to the circuit to witness a full day of racing. With 15 races on the schedule the day was packed with action and real quality racing was on display throughout all classes. The cumulation of the event took us to the Cookstown 100 Feature race and with weather hampering the last couple of renditions of the finale this year we were treated to an epic race. Dominic Herbertson v Michael Sweeney was the dual of the top two over each of the 12 laps, each time each rider was on the other’s rear tyre and the lead changed almost as many times as there were laps. At the chequered flag it was Dominic Herbertson who lifted the trophy and brought to a conclusion the 2024 Cookstown 100 – an example in how to run an event.

Well done to all those involved in the organisation of the event and also to each and every competitor and their team across each and every class.

Friday 26th April 2024 :

2024 Cookstown 100 - Friday 26th April 2024 Race 3 Results

2024 Cookstown 100 Road Closures

April 21, 2024 by TomBoyNI

2024 Cookstown 100 Road Closures :

The 2024 Cookstown 100 will run over the weekend of 26th and 27th April 2024 on the Orritor Circuit, Cookstown, Northern Ireland.

A detailed visitors guide for the event can be found here and covers a brief history of the event, as well as ticket details, circuit details, directions to the event and other useful information such as the meanings of the flags used around the course and links to all Official sites.

Road closures are legal and backed up by a road closure order. Breaching a road closure is a criminal offence. A link to the full road closure order can be found below.

A road closure order is in place for the 2024 Cookstown 100 for the following times on each day :

Friday 26th April 2024 : 07:00 – 21:30

Saturday 27th April 2024 : 07:00 – 1930

The full road closure order can be viewed here : https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/infrastructure/road-races-cookstown-100-motor-cycle-road-race-order-northern-ireland-2024.pdf

2024 North West 200 Entertainment

April 21, 2024April 20, 2024 by TomBoyNI

As Race Week for the 2024 North West 200 fast approaches the schedule for the Entertainment Marquee has been released and it is jammed full of great events that will have something for everyone. From comedy to live music, DJs and meet and greets there is plenty to keep you busy and entertained for the times when there are no bikes on the circuit.

All events are open to the public, pay at the door is available subject to availability and tickets are also available via the buytickets website. (QR Code is at the bottom of the image.)

Further details on the North West 200 are available on the TBNI.Blog North West 200 Visitor’s Guide which covers aspects such as race schedule, circuit and parking information.

Have a great 2024 North West 200 Race Week!

2024 North West 200 Entertainment Schedule — 2024 North West 200 Entertainment

Jacob’s Supercars 2024 Spring Charity Run in Aid of Action Cancer

April 17, 2024 by TomBoyNI

Jacob’s Supercars 2024 Spring Charity Run in Aid of Action Cancer :

Jacob’s Supercars | Driving Exotic Cars NI/ROI | The Vintage Vehicles Group | hosted their 2024 Spring Charity Run in Aid of Action Cancer on Sunday 14th April 2024.

The route took the scenic non coastal route from Lisburn to Coleraine.

If you would like to recreate the route it is available here : https://maps.app.goo.gl/SiQDsvW9zxc2Ef8XA

2024 Dubshed

April 17, 2024April 17, 2024 by TomBoyNI

2024 Dubshed : 6th & 7th April 20324 : Eikon Centre, Lisburn, Northern Ireland :

The show season kicked off in spectacular style at the start of the month with 2024’s edition of Dubshed. Back again at the Eikon Centre, Lisburn this year £25 got you two full days of displays and exhibitions. With a wind storm whipping up a gale on Saturday (and Sunday to an extent) having the majority of the show indoors led to a much more comfortable experience. Although it stayed dried, much to the relief I am sure of those enthusiasts who were displaying their motors outside.

By a strange twist of fate not prebooking your tickets was an advantage as the queue for prebooked customers was massive compared to those who just appeared at the door. The organisers though have already said this will be addressed next year, however that is about the only negative thing I have to say.

With 2 Halls full of cars there was plenty to look at. Hall 1 had its Dubshed focus firmly on the VW / VAG Group vehicles with everything from spotless classics to heavily modified modern vehicles, the standard of car on display was exceptional.

Hall 2 then took on the rest of the motoring world with everything from hypercars, supercars, JDM, drift machines and American marques all well represented.

Alastair Seeley Secures Team for 2024 Season

April 17, 2024April 12, 2024 by TomBoyNI

Alastair Seeley Secures Team for 2024 Season :

Alastair Seeley has announced via a Facebook Post that he has secured a ride for the 2024 BSB Season with Binch Pro Racing.

This will hopefully mean we get to see the Wee Wizard also compete at the 2024 North West 200, an event where his reputations speaks for itself.

Turning up the heat in The Quattro Group British Supersport Championship

The unforeseen and unfortunate injury to our good friend Zak Corderoy has presented an opportunity for both Binch Racing and Alastair to work together.

Both parties are extremely excited about what this new partnership can achieve. Alastair’s record on the track racing quality machinery speaks for itself. We are extremely keen to get back to our winning ways and we have put a huge amount of effort over the winter to make sure our Yamaha R6’s are ready to battle at the sharp end.

David Binch : It is with great expectation and a tinge of sadness that I have signed Alastair for our upcoming 2024 Supersport campaign. Sadness that Zak’s injury has precluded him from challenging in 2024 but great expectation that Alastair is a proven winner on a Yamaha and we sure do like to fight for those wins.

2025 Dakar Rally will not Feature Quads

April 7, 2024April 7, 2024 by TomBoyNI

Dakar Pulls The Plug On The Quad Class For 2025

After more than 30 years, the Dakar Rally has made the decision to eliminate the quad class from its prestigious off-road race starting in 2025. This move leaves the FIM category exclusively focused on two-wheelers. The official announcement by the organizers highlights their intention to shift their attention towards motorcycles, a category that has steadily gained popularity and overshadowed the quads.

Declining Support and New Criteria

The quad category has faced challenges over the years, including dwindling manufacturer support. Currently, CFMOTO stands as the sole OEM with a full factory program in the quad class. Most other riders competing on Yamaha Raptors do so with little or no official backing.

Adding to the class’s struggles, Dakar organizers introduced new criteria in 2024 that significantly restricted quad entries. Only those who had either raced a Dakar in the past five years, signed up for the 2023 or 2024 World Rally Raid Championship, or participated in three W2RC races were eligible. In contrast, motorcycle riders faced less stringent entry regulations, allowing them to build their resume using races dating back to 2022.

Dwindling Participation

The impact of these changes was evident in rider participation. In 2023, there were 19 quad entries. However, in 2024, that number plummeted further to just 10. Pablo Copetti, who finished third in the Dakar 2023, expressed his concerns when the strict entry rules were announced: “ASO made decisions that are killing the quad class. Only 10 quads this year! It’s a pity because if they accept all the riders, we could be almost 30!”

The Future of Quads in Dakar

While the quad class will not feature in the 2025 edition, organizers have left the door open for a potential return if circumstances change. However, given the continuous decline in interest for Sport ATVs, the prospects for quads in the Dakar seem rather bleak. Motorcycles, on the other hand, remain a constant draw for A.S.O., and organizers believe that’s where their focus should be.

Dakar Rally Director David Castera succinctly summarized the decision: “We have decided to stop the quad category next year in ’25 because we are going to focus more on bikes. We have many demands from competitors, and we want to prioritize motorcycles. With few quads and no manufacturer support, it’s time to pause the quad class.”

2024 Cookstown 100 Press Release

April 17, 2024April 6, 2024 by TomBoyNI

2024 Cookstown 100 Press Release :

The Cookstown 100 Club have released a Press Release via a Facebook Post with more details for the fast approaching 2024 Cookstown 100.

The Cookstown 100 will be the first road race of the year and will run over the 26th and 27th April 2024. This will be one of (only) three road races on the Island of Ireland in 2024 so make sure to support the event and help try and keep road racing alive for years to come.

Full details of the schedule of the Cookstown 100, and this years other events can all be found on the TBNI.Blog Road Racing Calendar.

Cemcor Cookstown 100 :

The 2024 road racing season will roar into life when a ‘new look’ Cookstown 100 takes place on Friday and Saturday 26th/27th of April. Along with a new title sponsor, ‘Cemcor’, this year’s event will also see a streamlined race programme, along with the bonus of both a supersport 600 and an Open Invitation race taking place after Friday afternoon’s qualifying!

Details of the event were released at a packed Press launch in the Royal Hotel, on Thursday 4th April, where the new title sponsor was announced for this year’s event, in the form of ‘Cemcor’, a locally based Cement manufacturer.

The Cookstown 100 is the longest-running road race in Ireland, having celebrated its Centenary event in 2022, and will again take place on the Orittor circuit, just outside Cookstown.

At the launch, supported by many competing competitors, the club were pleased to announce the return of past winners, Michael Sweeney and Mike Browne, along with Dominic Herbertson, and a host of newcomers, including Southern competitor, and reigning Wirral 100 Champion, Kevin Keyes.

Race fans will get value for their money, with two extra races on Friday evening, and depending on the timescale, an extra Senior Support race may well be included.