So not too many photographs from me from this meeting, for two reasons, the first being a bit of a gripe of mine of an otherwise awesome meeting – The Grandstand.
I paid for a seat in the Grandstand just after the Start / Finish and had a cracking view up the road, until they over filled it and then everyone stood in front of the seats so this is the view I had from the Grandstand…
Tandragee 100 – The Grandstand – But where is the track?
Just by way of comparison here is the view I should have had, the view I did have before they decided to put more people in and not put them on a seat in the Grandstand – it surely to goodness defeats the purpose!
Please Tandragee 100 – if you read this regulate the Grandstand – make it fair for everyone, it was the only negative I could mention from an otherwise great event – and I wasn’t the only one it affected.
Entry lists can be difficult to find so if you are not in a position to buy a program let me help you out.
(However if you are in a position to buy a program, go and buy one! Supporting the sport is what will keep it alive and to keep alive it needs money. Buying a program is how we can all do that, so get out there and get your program bought!)
Here is the official Press Release from Honda Racing re the 2017 NW200 – All you John McGuinness fans lift a McPint in his honour and join me in wishing the chap a full and speedy recovery! We will miss you John on the Mountain Course this year! For all you Guy Martin fans, wish him all the luck in the world on his only ride this year on the Wilson Craig Honda!
Thursday Night traditionally brings 3 races to open the events actual racing. It is a pleasure to say this year the Thursday Night passed without incident, all 3 races getting off on time, to their full duration and a cracking evenings racing, marred only by the crash involving John McGuinnes earlier in the days Superbike Session.
Here are the results of the first three races of the 2017 International North West 200!
Another glorious day at the North Coast and another early morning into afternoon qualifying session, then it all got underway with the Thursday night Race Session.
So without further a do here is how the qualifying went :
After last weeks soaking I had been keeping an constant eye on the weather forecast for Cookstown and the Cookstown 100 Races.
It changed every day! Sunny, wet, overcast, wet, sunny but cold… it just changed every time I looked it up!
By this morning the forecast was dry but overcast and then some rain round about 1pm that should blow over pretty quickly.
With that in mind I figured the trip would be worth it and I ventured towards my first ever Cookstown 100.
It wasn’t far wrong…
2017 Cookstown 100 Weather
As I said above this was my first Cookstown 100 and it is instantly one of my favourite race meetings.
Maybe I was just lucky but the spot I managed to find was outstanding. The bikes were close, fast and spent most of the time I seen them either on the back wheel or in the air. It was truly amazing and has instantly made me a huge fan of this event! The effort these guys were putting in was breath taking.
The event had many red flags, pretty much a red flag for every race – bar the 125 / Moto 3 race and the Classics. Thankfully there were no reports of any serious injuries. More than that, even with so many incidents to deal with the organisers still managed to get the full program raced – leading to a great day for the riders and spectators alike.
I haven’t had a look through my camera yet but I think I managed some awesome photos so a full gallery will follow shortly but in the meantime here’s what you came here for…
So it is practice day for the for the Cookstown 100 and the roads are currently closed (until 21:30) so there is still plenty of time for you to get there and get watching some high octane pre race sessions.
Tomorrow is Race Day and the roads will close at 10:00am sharp – so don’t be late.
Here is some vital information to make sure you get there on time :
Oh and in case this has any sway on your attendance, Motorbike Racing Royalty will be in attendance : (William Dunlop has also confirmed a late entry 😉 )
Today (25/04/2017) it was tragically announced that Italian Road Racer, Dario Cecconi, succumbed to injuries received at the Tandragee 100 on Saturday 22nd April 2017.
Rest in Peace / Ride in Peace Dario.
Dario Cecconi PRESS RELEASE 11 TANDRAGEE 100 2017
25th APRIL 2017
STATEMENT REGARDING DARIO CECCONI
The North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club (Tarmac Section) Ltd deeply regrets to announce that Dario Cecconi, a 38 year old competitor from Italy, who sustained serious injuries after the chequered flag had gone out for the Senior Support Race on Saturday 22nd April 2017 has succumbed to his injuries.
Dario was a much loved competitor, who called the Tandragee 100 his ‘home’, did much to promote the Tandragee 100 across Europe and even had a tattoo of the Tandragee 100 Course on his arm. Dario started racing for fun at track days in Tuscany on a 600cc Suzuki and at the end of 2009, he decided that road racing was what he wanted to concentrate on. On the 12th June 2010, Dario set out on his first road race, Carpasio-Pratipiani.
When Dario first came to Tandragee in 2012 and was asked for his opinion of Irish Road Racing he replied “I completely fell in love with the Irish Road Racing World! I like the riders, the courses, the spectators and everyone in and around the paddock…I come in my van, by myself, for about 45 hours only to travel 45 hours back home again and I love it. There is a special atmosphere we can find only there. No other tracks give us this thrill, and no other meetings give us the sense of being part of a family.”
When asked what makes him love racing, he gave what can only be described as an honest answer, “When I race, I feel free – I do not think, just act or react. It’s a sort of trance and it is absolutely amazing. I feel at home and calm when I have my helmet on and the visor down, it’s hard to explain…everything is natural.”
Dario will be very sadly missed by the Club. Dario was an experienced competitor who had competed in a number of Irish Road Races; this year being his 6th year at Tandragee.
The Officials and the Club extend their sympathy to Dario’s family and partner at this saddest of times.
Anne Forsythe
Clerk of Course
Dario Cecconi
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