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Armoy Road Races Visitors’ Guide

July 20, 2026July 17, 2024 by TomBoyNI

Armoy Road Races Visitors’ Guide :

TBNI.Blog have compiled the most useful and popular posts in relation to the Armoy Road Races in order to bring you a basic Visitors’ Guide. Hopefully this guide will give you an idea and some knowledge of the course and plenty of other useful information.

Updated for the 2026 Event

History :

Armoy (from the Irish: Oirthear Maí meaning “the east plain”) is a small village in County Antrim Northern Ireland. It is 6 miles from Ballycastle and 9 miles from Ballymoney and nestles under the shadow of Knocklayd mountain. It is on the River Bush and lies within the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area. The village is situated between two of the nine Glens of Antrim, Glenshesk and Glentaisie. Glenshesk is part of the Armoy Race Circuit.

The full story of the Armoy Armada can be found on the Official AMRRC Website :

“Road racing and the Armoy Armada was a regular topic of conversation in the Armoy pub and it was on one such night in what started off as a bit of craic and a £20 bet, that Kathleen Hartin was sparked into the idea of a tribute race to the Legends of Road Racing.

…All the affiliations, constitutions, rules, agencies, roads departments and councils eventually succumbed to the objectives of the club and when finance was secured through local sponsorship and funding, the first ever Armoy Road Race – Race of Legends was run in July 2009.”

– extract from amrcc.com

Armoy Road Races Tickets :

Since 2024 two official packages have been available from the club.

Motorhome & Race Programme Package : £40
Race Programme & Parking Package : £30

These prices remain unchanged for the 2026 event and packages are available here : https://amrrc.com/product-category/programme-parking-motorhome-packages/

Please check the Official Website for further details as every year there is a cut off date for postal orders and the packages become ‘Collection Only.’

FAQs : We’re visiting as a family, do the kids need a programme package?

No, children under 13 yrs old are free and you can add a JUNIOR SUPPORTER wristband to your order (just add a note to your order at checkout).

No Drones Allowed at the Armoy Road Races

2024 Kilbroney Vintage Show

June 19, 2024June 17, 2024 by TomBoyNI

2024 Kilbroney Vintage Show :

The Kilbroney Vintage Show returned to Kilbroney Forest Park on 15th June 2024 for another year and it was packed with cars from the early days of motoring right up to what could rather questionably be called vintage.

However, the standard of machinery on display was, as always, superb. With cars spanning the generations and club stands for every generation, Marque and area you could hope for, the selection on display was really rather impressive. The are some absolutely stunning cars tucked away in this country and beyond with plenty of vehicles making the trip from the South and the other side of the Irish Sea. The longest travelled award Officially coming from Scotland, but a little birdie tells me there was at least one other that didn’t wish to be included in that category that had quite the journey.

There were concerns about the weather, with a rough enough night the previous evening the weather forecast didn’t look great with a few days to go, but that is the good thing about coastal weather, it only takes a slight change in wind direction and the forecast becomes a work of fiction. The reality was that it was a bright and sunny day, there was one prolonged shower but once it blew over it was back to bright and sunny. The grounds of the park were also in great condition and even with the rain the previous day and that shower it maintained its integrity and every one was able to get out and home without issue, the tractors did not need to be called into action for a rescue mission for anything!

If you haven’t visited the show you really should add it to your calendar. My advice would be to

Arrive early and make a good full day of it, there is loads to see and do, just simply walking around the display and having a decent look at what is on show would take a good few hours.
Don’t leave during the rush, either go a little early or just enjoy the park and let the 5pm – 6pm exit rush calm down.
Consider bringing your own drinks, picnic or snacks. The food is expensive.

There are activities for the kids, they will be costly and loads of food options. They are really costly. Belfast Continental Market sort of prices. I had a ‘Gourmet’ Burger, it was delicious, but it was also £9. That’s pretty expensive for a car show burger! The Northern IReland Fire and Rescue Service also put on a few demonstrations throughout the day and they are well worth a watch to.

The absolute stars of the show though are the Vintage vehicles. The meticulous attention to detail in the maintenance and preparation is an absolute credit to their owners.

I do not envy the decisions to be made by the shows Organisers on who wins what as there is simply so much quality to choose from.

This year the awards went to :

2024 Kilbroney Vintage Show Results :

2024 Armoy Dates Confirmed

June 13, 2024 by TomBoyNI

2024 Armoy Dates Confirmed :

The Armoy Club have confirmed the dates for the 2024 on a Facebook Post.

The ARMOY ROAD RACES are back on FRIDAY 26TH & SATURDAY 27TH JULY 2024!

Prepare for a thrilling weekend as the Race of Legends returns, celebrating Northern Ireland’s rich sporting heritage. Held on the historic roads where the legendary Armoy Armada – Frank Kennedy, Mervyn Robinson, Joey Dunlop, and Jim Dunlop – honed their skills, this event is a must-see for racing fans worldwide.

Since 2009, the Armoy Road Races have been a staple in Northern Ireland’s road racing calendar, taking place on the last Friday & Saturday of July. Fans can expect high-octane motorcycle racing combined with the warm hospitality that Northern Ireland is known for.

This event offers one of the most authentic and accessible road racing experiences, drawing top modern racers and a passionate crowd. Don’t miss out on the excitement and the chance to witness legendary racing action.

See you there!

Conor Cummins Withdraws from TT 2024

June 8, 2024 by TomBoyNI

Conor Cummins Withdraws from TT 2024 :

Conor Cummins has confirmed his withdrawal from the remainder of the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races.

In a short statement, Cummins said: “I have withdrawn from the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races with immediate effect, and will provide an update on my plans for the remainder of the season in the coming weeks. I’d like to thank all my sponsors and family for their continued support and wish my fellow competitors the best for the remainder of the TT.”

The news comes after uncharacteristically poor results in the opening races of TT 2024, with the 12-time podium finisher retiring from the opening Monster Energy Supersport Race and the RST Superbike Race, and finishing 8th in today’s RL360 Superstock Race.

Cummins re-signed with the Milenco by Padgett’s Motorcycles team for an eighth successive year following a period of speculation as to who he would ride for in 2024. The Manxman ultimately chose to remain with team and, after a viral illness side-lined him for much of TT 2023, was determined to be back on the podium and in the hunt for race victories.

No further detail has been given around Cummins’ decision at this time.

Padgett’s Motorcycles seem to have added that they have parted company with Conor Cummins in a Facebook Post :

2024 TT Races Prize Fund

May 11, 2025June 1, 2024 by TomBoyNI

2024 TT Races Prize Fund :

UPDATED FOR 2025 : 2025 TT Races Prize Fund

One of the most read posts annually since 2017 on this site is the Winners’ Payout Details (with over 78,000 unique hits at the time of writing) and since 2017 I have updated annually it with the latest information from the current Regulations Booklet. You can read the entire 2024 book here : (may not be available after 2024) :

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/iom-tt-races-2022/tt_regulations_2023_v4_compressed.pdf

If the official link above is not working then an archived copy is available here : ht tps://tbni.blog/downloads/tt_regulations_2024_final_240524.pdf

But if you are just here to see the 2024 Isle of Man TT Prize Breakdown and how much the competitors stand to win in each class then please read on.

IMPORTANT : The are some major changes since 2022, for example the Senior TT now awards the race winner – at the end – as opposed to at the end and throughout each lap as per 2022 and previously. The prize for winning the Senior TT has also increased since 2022 from £18,000 to £25,000. The other races have also seen increases in their placed prizes and overall prize pots.

If you would like to compare these changes with the prizes an prize pots from 2022 you can find those details here :

https://tbni.blog/2022/01/26/2022-tt-races-prize-fund/

Andreas Racing Association New Meeting Announced for 13th / 14 July 2024

May 23, 2024 by TomBoyNI

Andreas Racing Association New Meeting Announced for 13th / 14 July 2024 :

Andreas Racing Association (ARA) are holding a two day race meeting on the weekend after the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Southern 100.

Located in the North of the Island (Jurby), it is the only short circuit on the Isle of Man. ARA are delighted to be able to offer:

Free ARA Club Membership to any visiting Southern 100 Competitors.
50% off entry fees.

Our headline sponsor Isle of Man Steam Packet Company have also updated the competitor sailings to allow for the race meeting.

We would love to see you at Jurby after the Southern 100!

Andreas Racing Association New Meeting Announced for 13th / 14 July 2024 : — **Andreas Racing Association New Meeting Announced for 13th / 14 July 2024** :

The Andreas Racing Association Official website can be found here.

The ARA Official Facebook Page can be found here.

The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information is available, you can subscribe here : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/

You will also find new information as soon as it is available through the TBNI Facebook Page the TBNI Threads Feed and the TBNI X / Twitter Feed.

So why not Follow those also?

Dakar Future Mission 1000

May 19, 2024 by TomBoyNI

Dakar Future Mission 1000 :

The Dakar Future Mission 1000 is a new initiative introduced as part of the Dakar Future programme. This mission offers constructors an opportunity to test vehicles with innovative technologies on Dakar terrain. The challenge will run for 100 km separate from the stages, adding up to 1,000 km.

Three engine types have been selected for Mission 1000: fully electric, fully hydrogen-powered, and hybrid technology. Entrants need to complete the entire route to score a grand total of 100 points in the challenge and will lose points for each unfinished stage.

Vehicles will be awarded points for driving skills depending on how their actual performances stack up against the established reference time. There are three modes: Eco Mode (+ 10% over the reference time and beyond), Normal Mode (within 5% of the reference time), and Sport Mode (−10% and under). Each mode awards different points.

In addition to this, there’s a unique timed challenge called “Launch Control” where the vehicles will break into a 100 m sprint from a standing start. The top-ranked entrant in each of the car and motorbike categories will be awarded 10 bonus points.

2025 Dakar Rally Announced

May 19, 2024 by TomBoyNI

2025 Dakar Rally Announced :

The 2025 Dakar Rally, the world’s most grueling and prestigious off-road endurance race, is set to take place from January 3rd to 17th, 2025. This year’s rally promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with several new features designed to challenge the competitors and captivate the audience.

2025 Dakar Rally Changes :

The first major change is the increased emphasis on navigation. The organizers have decided to make the rally more challenging by adding more navigation stages. This means that the competitors will need to rely more on their navigational skills and less on speed. This change is expected to level the playing field and make the race more unpredictable and exciting.

The second major change is the separation of stages for cars, bikes, and trucks. This is a significant departure from previous years, where all vehicles competed on the same stages. The separation of stages is expected to make the race safer and more competitive, as each class of vehicle will have stages designed specifically for them.

The 2025 Dakar Rally will also feature a mass start, a 48-hour Chrono stage, and a marathon stage. The mass start will see all competitors start the race at the same time, creating a thrilling spectacle for the spectators. The 48-hour Chrono stage will test the endurance and resilience of the competitors, as they will have to race non-stop for two days. The marathon stage, on the other hand, will be a test of the competitors’ mechanical skills, as they will have to service their vehicles without any assistance from their teams.

Isle of Man TT Races Visitors Guide

May 29, 2026May 17, 2024 by TomBoyNI

Isle of Man TT Races Visitors Guide :

Updated for 2026

Update : 29/05/2026 : A new 2026 Race Week Schedule has been announced. Following the cancellation of any further sidecar racing for the 2026 event a new Race Week Schedule has been announced. Full details can be found here :

2026 TT Races Revised Race Schedule

TBNI.Blog have compiled the most useful and popular posts in relation to the TT Road Races in order to bring you a basic Visitors’ Guide. Hopefully this guide will give you an idea and some knowledge of the course and plenty of other useful information.

History :

The Isle of Man TT, the oldest motorcycle racing event in the world, has been a spectacle of speed and skill since its inception in 1907.

The race was born out of necessity, as racing on the highways of Britain was forbidden by Act of Parliament. The Isle of Man, with its more lenient attitude towards automobile racing, became the perfect venue.

The first race was a time trial, organised by the Auto-Cycle Club (later renamed the Auto-Cycle Union). The course was a challenging 52.15-mile “Highlands” route. However, the steep climbs of the mountain section proved too much for the bikes of the time, leading to a redirection of the race. It wasn’t until 1911 that the race returned to the Mountain Course. The current Course takes riders on a 37.73 mile starting just outside Douglas and takes in numerous towns and villages and of course up and over the island’s highest mountain Snaefell.

The early races emphasised the road touring nature of the motorcycles, with regulations for saddles, pedals, mudguards, and exhaust silencers.

The first single-cylinder race was won by Charles Collier riding a Matchless, while Rem Fowler on a Norton took the twin-cylinder honours.

Over the years, the TT Course evolved from a horse and cart track, which included the odd gate between fields, into a world-renowned racing circuit. Lap speeds improved with road conditions, rising from 55.62 mph in 1920 to over 90 mph by the outbreak of World War 2. In 2023, Peter Hickman was the fastest lap holder with an average speed of 136.358mph or a lap time of 16m 36.114s

The TT returned after the War in 1947, with Harold Daniell winning the Senior once more.

The race has continued to grow in popularity, attracting thrill-seekers from around the globe.

As the TT Races celebrated its 100th race meeting in 2019, the spirit of competition and advancement that brought the original TT competition to the Island remains as strong as ever.

2024 North West 200 Results

May 18, 2024May 9, 2024 by TomBoyNI

2024 North West 200 Results :

Update : Two Huge Photo Galleries from the event have now been added :

2024 North West 200 : 8th May 2024 : Practice Sessions : (500 + Photos)

2024 North West 200 : 9th May 2024 : Evening Race Session : (200 + Photos)

The 2024 North West 200 took place over the race week of 6th – 11th May 2024 on the sun kissed North Coast of Northern Ireland.

Due to the May Day Bank Holiday and a clash with the BSB Calendar a slight change was implemented to the NW200 Schedule in that the traditional Tuesday Practice Session was moved to Wednesday. From there it was onto Thursday for another day time practice session and then the evening’s race session.

2024 NW200 : Jean Pierre Polet on his Superbike

Wednesday 8th May 2024 Practice Session :

Wednesday’s practice laid down the cards for what the week had ahead with Glen Irwin lapping inside the course record on the Superbike on the first practice session on the ‘big’ bikes! The Carrickfergus man on the Hager PBM Ducati completed his lap at an average speed of 124.895mph, 0.2 seconds quicker than Peter Hickman’s official lap record speed of 124.799mph.

The Top Tens Across the Classes were as follows :

1st – Glenn Irwin – 4.18.553
2nd – Davey Todd – 4.19.910
3rd – Michael Dunlop – 4.22.814
4th – Peter Hickman – 4.25.023
5th – Dean Harrison – 4.25.219
6th – Ian Hutchinson – 4.29.182
7th – John McGuinness MBE – 4.29.706
8th – James Hillier – 4.32.014
9th – Erno Kostamo – 4.32.482
10th – Conor Cummins – 4.32.924

1st – Richard Cooper – 4.34.202
2nd – Davey Todd – 4.35.017
3rd – Michael Dunlop – 4.39.612
4th – Michael Browne – 4.40.336
5th – Peter Hickman – 4.41.033
6th – Paul Jordan – 4.42.347
7th – Adam McLean – 4.43.241
8th – Michael Evans – 4.45.157
9th – Conor Cummins – 4.46.427
10th – Michael Sweeney – 4.46.987

1st – Davey Todd – 4.20.942
2nd – Dean Harrison – 4.21.525
3rd – Michael Dunlop – 4.23.788
4th – Peter Hickman – 4.24.951
5th – John McGuinness MBE – 4.25.959
6th – James Hillier – 4.27.576
7th – Adam McLean – 4.30.252
8th – Michael Sweeney – 4.30.879
9th – Dominic Herbertson – 4.31.454
10th – Conor Cummins – 4.31.917

1st – Jeremy McWilliams – 5.02.185
2nd – Adam McLean – 5.02.622
3rd – Michael Sweeney – 5.03.621
4th – Christian Elkin – 5.05.999
5th – Peter Hickman – 5.07.280
6th – Barry Graham – 5.10.784
7th – Michael Rutter – 5.10.983
8th – Gary McCoy – 5.11.655
9th – Michael Browne – 5.13.266
10th – Gareth Arnold – 5.14.908

The Supertwin qualifying session was cut short due to a red flag incident.

2024 NW200 - Neil Kernohan on his Supersport machine

Thursday 9th May 2024 Practice Session :

With rain overnight, the track was wet and damp in places for the start of Thursday’s Practice Session. However the weather was perfect from early on and it did not take too long for the circuit to dry out. From here it was a mixed morning, on one hand there were three red flags, one during the Supersports, one during the Superstocks and one in the Supertwin Session, thankfully none of the incidents involved serious injuries.

On the other hand then there were records getting smashed. Glenn Irwin took almost 2 seconds of the lap record, although this is not an official record, as that can only be made or taken during racing and with Davey Todd hitting 209.8 mph at the speed trap it has set the scene perfectly for an exceptionally high level of racing for the Thursday and Saturday sessions.

** Updated for the 2026 Event **

History :

Armoy Road Races Tickets :

2024 Kilbroney Vintage Show Results :

2025 Dakar Rally Changes :

Updated for 2026

Update : 29/05/2026 : A new 2026 Race Week Schedule has been announced. Following the cancellation of any further sidecar racing for the 2026 event a new Race Week Schedule has been announced. Full details can be found here :

History :

Wednesday 8th May 2024 Practice Session :

Thursday 9th May 2024 Practice Session :

Disclosure :

Updated for the 2026 Event