Road Racing Results
Below you will find the original posts detailing the results of road racing events in chronological order since 2017. This list is automatically compiled by the TBNI.Blog website and groups together all articles related to ‘Road Racing Results’.
2020 Cookstown 100 Gallery Updated
2020 Cookstown 100 Gallery Updated :
The 2020 Cookstown 100 Race Galleries have now been updated.
Sorry for the delay – but they are here now!
Just visit the link below, click on the race name and you will get the results card and a load of photos from the race… enjoy :
https://tbni.blog/2020/09/15/2020-cookstown-100-results/
I’ll be posting some of these images on Instagram throughout the winter and spring so please ‘follow’ it also : https://www.instagram.com/tbni.blog/
Thanks and enjoy…
2020 Cookstown 100 Results
No one thought it happen – road racing in 2020, but it did!
Full credit must go to Cookstown 100 Club and every member of the team who pushed forward with what at times must have seemed like an impossible task – running a road race in 2020 and under the ever present cloud of Covid-19.
But press ahead they did and the result was an extremely successful and extremely well run 2020 Cookstown 100. There were some restrictions in place such as movement around the course and the numbers of people who could be admitted, none of which were under the control of the Club. You can after all only play the hand you are dealt, and they played their hand well.
In 2020 if the only thing you can complain about is that the weather closed in and meant the feature superbike race had to be called off, then you have done well, and really that’s all there is to complain about – the Northern Irish weather – typical. But, for most of the day it was grand, warm and dry – couple that with a ‘full house’ and riders and teams who were clearly thrilled to be back on the roads and you get a brilliant road race.
The only disappointment now is that that is all 2020 has to offer in the Northern / Irish Racing Calendar. One thing is for sure it will have wet the appetite for 2021!
Onto the racing and we saw the return of Adam McLean after his off at 2019 Tandragee and he came back with the outstanding form he had been showing prior to the Tandragee incident – excellent – resulting in a double for him in the Supersport and Supertwin classes, and adding the Supertwin lap record to his list of accolades.
The Superbike Open race took three attempts to get a result, the win for Derek Shiels on his BMW showed more of the same from the Irish man – fast and stylish – as we have grown accustomed two over previous years and brought his total to 9 wins at Cookstown.
Paul Jordan continued to show his class and form, taking a strong win in the Moto3 / 125cc class.
Neil Kernohan with his distinctive helmet and always immaculately turned out machines took the 250cc / Lightweight class and Barry Davidson took the Junior Classic.
Vinny Breenan took the first race of the Day in the Senior Support Class, Junior Support was lifted by Michael Gillan by over 4 seconds in an impressive race.
Open Race Restart :
2020 Cookstown 100 Race Gallery :
UPDATE : The 2020 Cookstown 100 Race Galleries have been updated.
Photographs from each race have been added to the above results. Simply click on the race name and you will get a official race results card and a gallery from that race. There are over 200 photographs and unfortunately I may have missed a few riders but for most races I have managed to capture most riders.
As a bit of a warm up though here’s a few images from the warm up laps from the only Irish road race of 2020… The 2020 Cookstown 100 :
Make sure to check out and follow the Official TBNI Instagram Page where I will feature some of these images throughout the winter and spring to keep your timeline decorated with a few road racing machines…
Check out the Official Cookstown 100 Website here : https://www.cookstown100.org
Check out the Official Cookstown 100 Facebooks Page here : https://www.facebook.com/groups/cookstown100/
Check out the Official Cookstown 100 Twitter Feed here : https://twitter.com/cookstown100
2020 Oliver’s Mount Barry Sheene Classic Results
2020 Oliver’s Mount Barry Sheene Classic Results :
To the joy of road racing fans the world over we have actually had some racing in 2020! From 14th – 16th August Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough held the Barry Sheene Classic. A day of practice and qualifying followed by two days of flat out non stop racing.
The Oliver’s Mount events are ones that I do not normally cover, mainly because I have no chance of getting any where them but this year I did follow them quite intently on Twitter and on the live timings site and have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the coverage, tweeting and online content that I could find.
UKClubSport have done an excellent job in putting the results together for every qualifying session and race. You will find every result from the 2020 Oliver’s Mount Barry Sheene Classic here :
It brings me great pleasure to say that Northern Ireland’s own Lee Johnston shone to make it a perfect four out of four in the Supersport category.
Dean Harrison also brought his A-game and made it a superb five from five in the Classic Superbike races.
What a packed weekend that event was with a huge 31 races ran over the two race days. That really makes me want to make the trip over.
Oliver’s Mount next event is scheduled to be the Gold Cup due to run on the weekend of the 11th – 13th September 2020. Unfortunately that clashes directly with the planned dates for the rescheduled 2020 Cookstown 100.
Oliver’s Mount :
The Oliver’s Mount Racing Official Site is available here : https://www.oliversmount.com
The Official Oliver’s Mount Twitter Account is Here : https://twitter.com/MountOlivers
The Official Oliver’s Mount Facebook Page is Here : https://www.facebook.com/oliversmountraces/
TBNI.Blog Road Racing Calendar :
The TBNI Road Racing Calendar can be found and subscribed to (for free) here : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/
You will also find new information as soon as it is available through the TBNI Facebook Page and TBNI Twitter Feed.
2019 Macau GP Results (Motorcycles)
2019 Macau GP Results (Motorcycles) :
The 2019 Macau GP will be running from 13th – 17th November 2019, if you are visiting on these dates make sure you miss none of the action – bookmark or save the link to the live stream! If you have arrived after the event and just want to know the 2019 Macau GP Results then just keep scrolling down.
Live Stream – https://livestream.com/MacauGrandPrix
2019 East Coast Racing Festival Results (Killalane)
The 2019 East Coast Racing Festival concludes the 2019 Irish Road Racing Season.
Unfortunately I couldn’t get anywhere near Killalane due to a mechanical incident with my bike – well some a**e left a massive screw on the M1 motorway near Dublin and ruined my chances of getting anywhere near the racing. So thanks for that you inconsiderate t**t!
However well done to all involved in the event. If you would like a decent recap of the event check out the
Official East Coast Racing Festival Facebook Page : https://www.facebook.com/eastcoastmcc/
or a great source of live Road Racing News from the events :
Toggle Content
No results available from speedhive – but a massive ‘well done’ is deserved for Melissa Kennedy – the first female to win an Irish National Road Race!
2019 Manx GP Results
Check out the Official Manx Grand Prix Website here : https://www.manxgrandprix.org
Just like for the 2019 TT Races the weather did its upmost to put a dampener on things for the Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix over the 2019 Festival of Motorcycling.
However through some tough days and good calls from the Clerk of the Course, Gary Thompson, we got our racing.
The 2019 MGP ran from 17th – 30 August 2019.
Check out the 2019 Classic TT Results Here : http://tbni.blog/2019/08/30/2019-classic-tt-results/
Tuesday 27th August 2019
Wednesday 28th August 2019
Thursday 29th August 2019
2019 Classic TT Results
Check out the Official Classic TT Website here : https://www.iomtt.com/classic-tt
Just like for the 2019 TT Races the weather did its upmost to put a dampener on things for the Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix over the 2019 Festival of Motorcycling.
However through some tough days and good calls from the Clerk of the Course, Gary Thompson, we got our racing.
And let’s make sure we get this out there straight away – Bruce Anstey is back, and straight back to the top of the podium #TeamPagetts
Check out the 2019 Manx Grand Prix Results Here : http://tbni.blog/2019/08/30/2019-manx-gp-results/
The Bruce Anstey comeback is complete as the Flying Kiwi takes the Lightweight Classic TT #TeamPagetts #LoveTT - I keep on saying but honestly, what a guy. Inspirational. ? pic.twitter.com/AP7jwpnhyS
— ?TomBoyNI™? (@TomBoyNI) August 24, 2019
Saturday 24th August 2019 :
Monday 26th August 2019 :
2019 Ulster Grand Prix Results : UPDATED
Let’s cut to the chase here – thanks to Peter Hickman – the Ulster Grand Prix is once again the Fasted Road Race in the World! Well done Peter Hickman and your amazing 136.415 mph lap!
Thursday 8th August 2019 : Thursday Evening Race Session :
After a pretty grim Wednesday Practice Session that was effectively ruined by rain it was over to Thursday and the promise of a much more road racing friendly wether forecast.
The promise was fulfilled and the Dundrod skies were bright, maybe a little cloudy at times, but generally blessed with plenty of sunshine. All of which raised the expectations and crowd numbers for the Thursday evening race session.
In previous years the Superbike Race (1) was the last event on the Thursday but due to the fact that in recent years the race did not get run the organisers made what, I believe to be, a great decision and moved it up to the first race of the session.
There was also a ‘little‘ bit of pressure on this race; looking forward to Saturday the weather forecast was / is not looking positive. That meant that if the Ulster Grand Prix was to take back its former crown and title of being the ‘World’s Fastest Road Race’ then the only real likelihood of this happening in 2019 was in Superbike Race 1.
It is already well documented Peter Hickman done it – he brought the record back to Northern Ireland, but this race was so much more.
Conor Cummins took a record himself in this race clocking the fastest ever time through the speed trap at 202.8mph – #TeamPadgetts
Lee Johnston bust the 200mph mark at 201.0 mph as did Xavier Denis at 200.4 mph. Peter Hickman was 4th fastest through the speed trap.
During the race Dean Harrison and Peter Hickman had a great duel over the opening laps, Lee Johnston and Conor Cummins had a similar battle ongoing for third all the while creeping closer to the top two.
At the start of lap 3 the magic started and Hicky got the best of Dean Harrison down the ‘Flying Kilo’ and started to pull away. Conor Cummins and Lee Johnston were still jostling and starting to tighten in on Deano.
Then this happened – 136.415mph!
With Hicky’s lead at 5.8 seconds, Dean was securing his second place pulling away from Cummins when the race was red flagged with Sam West coming off his machine, which burst into flames. Thankfully rider was OK, the machine not so much!
Next up were the Lightweights and Ultra Lightweights. Two battles on the circuit at the same on this one.
Neil Kernohan and Davy Morgan pulled away into an early lead on their 250 machines and in the Ultra Lightweights Michal Dokoupil, Christian Elkin and Melissa Kennedy fought for the top spot.
Gary Dunlop’s engine blew up in the Practice Session however he managed to borrow a bike from Malcolm Love. Unfortunately for Gary he got a really poor start and was up against it from the beginning. However as he passed me on every lap he was noticeably clawing his way back up the field ultimately finishing 15th overall.
By lap 2 Kernohan and Morgan were separated by 0.064s! The Ultralightweights top 3 remained the same.
Neil Kernohan took the win from Davy Morgan by 0.062s following a red flag on the last lap. Throughout that superb race the pair could hardly be separated.
Czech rider Dokoupil came out on top in the Ultra Lightweights , Christian Elkin took second and Melissa Kennedy completed the podium (her first at the UGP) in third.
Gary Dunlop manages to squeeze into the top 15 on his borrowed Malcolm Love 125cc.
The race was stopped on the final lap to deal with an incident at Tornagrough.
“It was a really good race and I knew that Davy had a plan. I knew he wanted to get me at the last corner. The win puts a real smile on my face and builds the confidence for the rest of the week. Hopefully the weather man gets it wrong on Saturday and we can do it again.” – Neil Kenohan.
The 600 Supersport machines were the third set of machines out to the grid.
Obviously the superbike race was special – the record returning to Dundrod etc etc… this race was special too, epic may be a better word? Regardless it was great. Lee Johnston and Peter Hickman fought every inch, every foot, every yard and every mile of the UGP Circuit and could not be separated. Davy Todd was sitting in third and Dean Harrison in fourth by the end of lap two. By lap 3 it was still Johnston, Hickman but Deano had taken third from Davey Todd. By the end though Dean Harrison had third place in the bag but the winner was still to be determined.
At the very last second, the 11th hour, Hicky made his move at the hairpin, taking Lee Johnston and the victory by 0.357s.
One of the best things about road racing is the respect. These two guys fought every inch of that tarmac and when all was said and done and the chequered line was crossed they finished the race with a fist bump – that is special. That is road racing at its finest.
“I knew there was no way I was going to get away from Lee. The closest place I could get him was Wheelers and I managed to squeeze him out on the final lap. We probably did a mile-and-a-half side-by-side at the end. Lee’s a fantastic rider and it was a dead clean race.” – Peter Hickman.
The final scheduled race of the evening was the supertwins over four laps.
On lap 1 Joe Loughlin, Paul Jordan, Lee Johnston, Jamie Coward, Christian Elkin and Ian Lougher are all as one.
Somewhere neat the hairpin Lee Johnston’s bike blew up but Loughlin, Jordan, Coward and Elkin were still all wanting the win and racing in contention for it.
It was ridiculously tight right up to the line, Jamie Coward challenged Joe Loughlin, Joe Loughlin challenged Paul Jordan, everyone challenged everyone, it was breath taking stuff with Paul Jordan taking the win (his first UGP) from Joe Loughlin by 0.092 seconds and Jamie Coward just a further one quarter of a second behind.
An awesome race!
Saturday 10th August 2019 : Saturday Race Day :
I finished by Thursday analysis with the following statement…
Maybe that is just being hopeful, maybe it has been considered, maybe there are loads of reasons why it can’t happen. But with 2 yellow weather warning in place for rain and thunderstorms we really now need to hope and pray that the weather leaves Dundrod alone and we get a Saturday that can come close to the standard of this year’s Thursday session.
Guess what? It all came good! Read on to find out how and why!
On the morning of Saturday 10th August 2019 the general consensus was that the next race to be held at the Ulster Grand Prix Dundrod circuit would be on the Thursday race session of 2020. The weather was truly grim, it was foggy and raining – and if you have ever been to Northern Ireland you know the type of rain I mean – ‘That sorta rain that soaks you.’
However hope remained that if the weather forecast was accurate there would be a small window that would give a slim chance of getting a race or two into the 2019 event.
As it turns out the weather behaved itself a little more than was expected and with this improved weather coupled with some excellent organisation from the Clerk of the Course, Noel Johnston, and his team, the 2019 Ulster Grand Prix was graced with a full race schedule. All seven races ran and only one red flagged was waved. Thankfully no serious injuries were suffered and guess what…
Hicky did even more! Record, no not singular, records fell this week and it was definitely the Peter Hickman show.
But that isn’t all…
After delay, another delay and another delay courtesy of the weather, the Superstock machines graced the course at about 12:45pm. That statement sounds a bit negative – it isn’t. The weather controlled the morning, no one’s fault, simply nothing could be done. Never mind though things were starting to move.
Race 1 : Daly’s Hyundai Superstock Race :
Peter Hickman started the day as he meant to go on – determined and on fire. Davey Todd and Dean Harrison were keeping tabs on him however by lap 2 Dean had pulled into the pits and retired. Davey Todd kept good pace through the opening laps but Hickman soon started to put a gap between the pair ultimately taking the victory by +24 seconds.
Michael Sweeney and David Johnson (on The Factory Honda) were initially fighting for the third spot on the podium. However neither of them got it. Conor Cummins took that honour continuing his week’s great form. Lee Johnston who is always in the mix fought his way up to fourth. Irish man Derek Shiels continued with his impressive season taking fifth.
Peter Hickman wins on Saturday 10th August 2019 : 1
“It was absolutely brilliant and the bike was awesome. I got away cleanly and had no problems. I kept my tyres cool and Davey kept me honest for a few laps before I put my head down. I’m really happy for myself and the team.“ – Peter Hickman
Quote of the day so far goes to @DaveyTodd742 after racing @peterhickman60 for 6 laps of the UGP at speeds of almost 200mph in the wet. Coming down off the podium "Watch you don't fall there, that's really slippery" #UGP
— Ulster Grand Prix (@UlsterGrandPrix) August 10, 2019
Race 2 : Centra White Mountain Supersport Race :
Another masterclass from Peter Hickman on his Smiths’ Racing BMW. Davey Todd and Lee Johnston were initially the main contenders for second which was ultimately taken by Lee Johnston 8.3 seconds behind Hickman. Lee Johnston pulled clears from Todd taking second place quite comfortably. Davey Todd took third having got into a tight fight with team mate Conor Cummins who finished fourth a mere 0.042 seconds from taking the podium’s third step. Jamie Coward was fifth and Derek Shiels still showing in sixth.
Peter Hickman wins on Saturday 10th August 2019 : 2
“Davey (Todd) got a better start but I got him in the slipstream and it it was really good from there – the same as the first race. I managed to stay clear of the spray. You have to world hard to make a break today and I’ve managed to do that in both races. The bike was awesome again.“ – Peter Hickman
Race 3 : Lightweight Machines : (Chimney Corner Hotel Lightweight Race & Plant Lubrication (NI) Ultra Lightweight Race) :
The lightweight race was abandoned after a red flag incident on lap 2 of five. No restart occurred. Neil Kernohan was leading at the red flag.
Race 4 : MMB Surfacing Superbike Race :
Things got off to a tight start here with nothing separating Peter Hickman and Dean Harrison. By the end of lap 1 the difference was 0.117 seconds. #TeamPagetts Conor Cummins wasn’t hanging about either only half a second behind Deano. On lap two Hicky started to stretch his wings taking a two second advantage into lap 3. Conor Cummins had moved into second ahead of Harrison.
By the chequered flag Hicky has a five second advantage and in crossing it equalled Philip McCallen’s record of 5 UGP wins during the event – the interest point was Hicky still had the potential of another two races in this years UGP. Dean Harrison refused to give up and took the second place from Conor. Lee Johnston remains continually in the mix and took fourth, Davey Todd was fifth and RK / Burrows Rider Derek Shiels took sixth.
Peter Hickman wins on Saturday 10th August 2019 : 3
The conditions were not ideal – all three races had different conditions and this was the hardest of all. The bike is working really well, it’s been set up perfectly for me and I’m delighted. – Peter Hickman
Race 5 : Maxwell Freight Services Supertwins Race :
It doesn’t have to be a superbike to be an epic race and this Supertwins race was absolute proof of that.
Paul Jordan set off wanting the 2019 UGP Supertwins double however this race was dominated by a thrilling duel between Christian Elkin and Joe Loughlin. Lap after lap these two riders swapped positions riding the slip stream, working the course, riding the race like a tactical game of chess.
Elkin took the win at the line, and I mean ‘at the line’, taking the victory by 0.078 seconds from Joe Loughlin who got his second second place at the 2019 UGP. Honestly this has to be a contender for race of the day.
Lee Johnston stepped onto the podium for the first time of the day, Jamie Coward was fourth with Paul Jordan fifth in a battle between the three that was almost as thrilling at that of the top two.
“I’m over the the moon! The conditions were terrible really but it was a fantastic race with Joe (Loughlin). On the last lap he went deep into the chicane and I took advantage. It’s fantastic, I’m really chuffed.” – Christian Elkin
Race 6: Skegness Raceways Supersport Race:
The thirds supersport race of the meeting, and Hicky’s penultimate race of the meeting. Do I really need to ask if he could make it 3/3 in the class?
Not only would it be 3/3 Supersport wins but it would also then be 6/6 for the 2019 UlsterGrand Prix.
Lee Johnston was the rider who was going to try to upset that record and he got off to strong start taking the early lead whilst Hicky was back in fifth. Hickman quickly found his pace and joined Lee Johnston at the top from where the pair were difficult to separate for the duration of the remainder of the race.
By lap four Hickman lead by only 0.101 seconds and by the end of the race Hicky took the victory by a tiny 0.145 seconds. The race had the whole of the Dundrod Circuit on their feet and cheering. Obviously the fan favourite being local man Johnston but the reception that Hicky got on taking the win was of course enthusiastic and respectful. How could it not be ? The man is on absolute fire!
Lee Johnston took one step higher on the podium than his previous best of the day, taking the second spot and Conor Cummins secured himself another third place. Davey Todd was fourth, Jamie Coward fifth and Michael Sweeney sixth.
Peter Hickman wins on Saturday 10th August 2019 : 4
I’m over the the moon! The conditions were terrible really but it was a fantastic race with Joe (Loughlin). On the last lap he went deep into the chicane and I took advantage. It’s fantastic, I’m really chuffed. – Peter Hickamn
Race 7 : Around a Pound Superbike Race :
Could it happen? Peter Hickman already earned the 3/3 in the Supersport class, could he get 3/3 in the superbikes? We know he has already done the 6/6 – but could a record 7/7 be a possibility?
It could. It was. It is. Seven wins out of seven for Peter Hickman came in the UGP Around A Pound Superbike Feature Race and it was another dominant, record breaking and classy display from Hicky.
Hickman took the victory from Dean Harrison by a comfortable 6.849 seconds.
Conor Cummins took the third spot for his fifth podium of the 2019 Ulster Grand Prix.
Davey Tood took fourth, privateer Jamie Coward finished off a great UGP with a fifth and Derek Shiels again right in the mix in sixth.
Peter Hickman wins on Saturday 10th August 2019 : 5
Peter Hickman Total wins at the 2019 Ulster Grand Prix : 7
“It feels mega – what a week it has been. The has been phenomenal and the bike faultless. I look at my Superbike think what a lucky rider I am. I’m over the moon to win every race.” – Peter Hickman
Race Abandoned
Race Abandoned
No Speedhive Results Available : Will be updated if / when available.
Check out the Official UGP Website here : https://ulstergrandprix.net
Check out the Official UGP Twitter Feed here : https://twitter.com/UlsterGrandPrix
Check out the Official UGP Facebook Page here : https://www.facebook.com/UlsterGrandPrix/
2019 Munster 100 Results (Cork Road Races)
The Munster 100 (Cork Road Races) returned to County Cork, Republic of Ireland for the first time in six years over the weekend of 3rd and 4th August 2019.
It is a busy time of the racing year as the (Cork) Munster 100 is the fifth race in as many weeks on the Island of Ireland, in a series of six cumulating in the Ulster Grand Prix. Saturday race day is being held on 10th August 2019 in what is part of an absolutely packed summer schedule.
Back to Cork though and Derek Shiels continued his exquisite form taking another superbike double, in doing so taking the Irish Superbike title.
Michael Sweeney took ‘Man of the Meeting’ taking 2 podiums and 2 race wins over the event.
Check out the Official Munster 100 Website Here : https://cmrvc.ie/munster-100/munster-100-news
Check out the Official Munster 100 Facebook Page Here : https://www.facebook.com/groups/187960038598926/
Check out the Official Munster 100 Twitter Feed Here : https://twitter.com/Munster100RR
2019 Munster 100 Results : Cork Road Races :
1 Dermot Cleary
2 Tommy Henry
3 John O’Donovan
4 John Ella
5 Brian Keohane
6 John Cahill
7 Ben Mullane
1 Brian Mateer
2 Richard Ford
3 Philip Shaw
1 Ed Manly
2 Barry Davidson
3 Ian Thompson
4 Sean Leonard
5 Freddie Stewart
6 Andy Kildea
7 Gearoid Hoare
8 Kevin Callan
1 David Howard
2 Brian Loughlin
3 RJ Woolsey
1 Sean Leonard
1 Michael Sweeney
2 Stephen Casey
3 Paul Fallon
4 Lloyd Collins
5 Noel Carroll
1 Vinny Brennan
2 John Ella
3 Anthony Lillis
4 Ben Mullane
5 Francis O’Hara
6 David Broderick
7 RJ Woolsey
8 John O’Donovan
1 Michael Sweeney
2 Darryl Tweed
3 Vinny Brennan
4 John Ella
5 John O’Donovan
6 Ben Mullane
7 Stephen Tobin
8 Des Butler
1 Richard Ford
2 Ian Thompson
3 Philip Shaw
4 RJ Woolsey
1 Barry Davidson
2 Andy Kildea
3 Billy Lyle
4 Kevin Callan
2019 Armoy Road Races : Results
More Information to follow on completion of the event…
2019 Armoy Road Races : Results : Friday 26th July 2019 :
Friday 26th July 2019 is practice and qualifying day at the 2019 Armoy Road Races. However to conclude the night we are treated to 2 races, the Senior Support and Supersport Race 1.
After a day of practice were Michael Dunlop took the headlines – turning up on crutches (passed fit and ready to race with the aid of some mini steps) in order to defend his run of seven ‘Race of Legends’ titles. In the second practice he was right in there with Derek Shiels – who wants to defend his current run of consecutive 2019 race victories. Tomorrow’s feature race is already setting the scene to be epic.
The first race of the evening was the Senior Support – Ryan Fenton made his road racing debut and finished in a strong second place behind race favourite from the start Tommy Henry. Andy McAllister completed the top trio, with Dermot Cleary in fourth.
The supersports had their first race of Armoy and in what must be one of the closest results of all time. Derek McGee took the win from Paul Jordan by 0.002s. That is two one thousands of a second! Michael Sweeney completed the podium with Michael Dunlop taking forth on his MD Racing machine. Even the timekeeping almost soiled itself – with initially the consensus being that Jordan had taken it at the line. That was not the case…
2019 Armoy Road Races : Results : Saturday 27th July 2019 :
In case you haven’t heard it the 2019 Armoy Fairytale was completed by Michael Dunlop – not only did he win the first superbike race he went on to do the double and take his eighth consecutive ‘Race of Legends’ title – but more on that later.
Junior Support :
First up was the Junior Support Race – which was dominated by Vinny Brennan taking the win by +22 seconds. Second place was a much tighter affair with Dominic Cottrell taking it over Ryan Fenton by 0.015 seconds.
125cc / Moto 3 :
Moving on to the 125cc and Moto 3 class and taking his fourth win from four starts in the class was Derek McGee on his GP Faraldo Racing Honda. Gary Dunlop took second much to the delight of the local crowd and continuing with her excellent current form Melissa Kennedy completed the podium. Her brother and other Joey’s Bar MCC Rider (and team mate of Gary Dunlop) Wayne Kennedy took sixth.
Supersport :
Derek McGee showed his continued current excellent form and took this one over Michael Sweeney by +5 seconds. Again it was the battle for second that was most hotly contested. Sweeney taking the second step from Derek Shiels by a mere 0.08s.
Junior Classics :
Barry Davidson took the Junior Classic win from Ed Manley. After 7 laps the pair could only be separated by half a second. George Stinson took the third step on the podium. Brian Mateer took the 250 Classics from Richard Ford and Kyle Parkes in third.
First Superbike Race :
Dunlop, Shiels, Sweeney and McGee is how this one finished of. All eyes were on Michael Dunlop and after a really strong qualifying session on the Friday, even considering his injuries which included a broken pelvis it looked like he could be competitive . Of course you would expect Michael Dunlop to be competitive and with the huge crowds present cheering his Tyco BMW round every lap he took the superbike race by +4 seconds. Sweeney was a further +8 seconds behind a great run round from Derek Shiels. McGee coming in +1.5 seconds behind Sweeney. The stage was set ‘for a could he do it’ in relation to Micky D and the eighth ‘Race of Legends’ win?
Lightweights :
The first red flag of the day stopped this first attempt of this race. The restart ran over a slightly reduced six laps and Neil Kernohan took the victory on one of the smartest and most distinctive liveried machines on the circuit – marked with the 109 and distinctive ‘NK’ on his helmet.
Seven seconds was the gap back to second place Kris Duncan on his 400cc machine, David Howard was a really close third. The pair separated by+0.6 seconds.
Supertwins :
Derek McGee was sailing towards his fourth 2019 Armoy win with a +5 second lead by lap six. A retirement though that was not meant to be. Andy Farrell took the win with Neil Kernohan in second place. Stephen McKnight took third.
Senior Classics :
Dominic Herbertson took the win in this one. Mark Purslow took second place only seven seconds of the pace in his Armoy debut, Richard Ford took third. On the 500cc machines Barry Davidson, John Leigh Pemberton and Freddie Stewart filled their respective podium.
Senior Support :
Ryan Fenton – on his debut Armoy and his debut road race took the win in dramatic style from Andy McAllister. McAllister led throughout when on the last lap Fenton piled on the pressure and took the win by +0.15 seconds. Tommy Henry took third +2.1 seconds behind.
The Race of Legends :
After a reasonably slow start from Michael Dunlop the gauntlet was down and by the second lap he had worked his way back up to second and was looking strong, however after an incident involving Dan Cooper the race was red flagged and a restart was required.
By the waving of the red flag MD had made his way up to lead the pack.
The restart was decreed to be cut to 5 laps – putting a bit of pressure on the start. A bad start over five laps is a lot more difficult to fully recover from. Given positioning at the time of the red flag MD started in pole, a position he managed to maintain to the chequered flag.
At the end of lap one the gap was +0.2 seconds and by lap 3 that gap had grown to + 2 seconds. MD took the win by +2.6 seconds from Derek Shiels in a carbon copy from the first superbike race. Derek McGee swapped his previous superbike race position with Michael Sweeney taking third and fourth respectively.
If you thought the crowd were happy to see MD take the first superbike win you should have seen them react to this grand final win. I suppose when you are a local hero at your local races you will get a massive ovation and to be fair deservedly so. No matter what your opinion may be you simply can not question the dedication of MD when he puts his leg over a bike – even if to do so he needs a pair of crutches, 2 men and a step ladder!
Overall 2019 Armoy was an epic day – the weather held out, incidents were minimal, and the quality of racing from every competitor was top class – add in the MD fairytale and you are onto a very obvious and clear winner!
Well done to all those involved in organising and running the day, the medics, the club, the volunteers, the marshals – everyone – well done indeed!
