SGS International Supertwins lead the way with three Riders
NORTHERN Ireland’s youngest national road race, the Armoy Road Races, confirmed that both the SGS International team and the Tyco BMW team would be out in force next month.
Presently there are three riders for the Lynn/McAuley Supertwins race from the SGS International /Manx Gas team and we’ll see both Guy Martin and William Dunlop from the Tyco BMW team competing in the SGS International sponsored ‘Race of Legends’ on the famous three-mile circuit.
The announcement was made at the official launch of the SGS International ‘Race of the Legends’, which was held in the Bayview Hotel in Portballintrae yesterday (24 June 2015).
Dungannon man, Farquhar who has been an avid supporter of Armoy since its inception is looking forward to this year’s event; “Last year I was at Armoy but I was flat out preparing bikes. 2015 is going to be a lot different not only will I be racing in the Supertwins but so will Jeremy [McWilliams] and Darren James, one of Canada’s top professional motorcycle road racers who will be racing as a newcomer. Folks will have seen him at the NW 200 earlier this year but I’ll wait and see how he gets on at Armoy.”
World championship rider McWilliams got a taste for the Armoy Road Races, both in the parades laps and the Supertwins Race in 2013 where he set the current lap record. Farquhar, who has 11 wins at Armoy, continued; “Jeremy was keen to return and race this year at Armoy – after his win at the NW200 there was no question he wasn’t going to race in the Lynn/McAuley Supertwins.”
McWilliams who is currently the team manager at Team Rivamoto with World Supersport and Superstock will ride one of Ryan Farquhar’s race prepared 650 Supertwin bikes that will be sponsored by SGS International and Manx Gas. SGS International is also the title sponsor of the ‘Race of Legends’.
Bill Kennedy MBE, Clerk of the Course at AMRRC said, “The Club and I are really delighted with the news that SGS International /Manx Gas team with Ryan Farquhar, Jeremy McWilliams and Darren James are entering the Supertwins race – there will be other riders and they may enter other races for that matter but we’ve just got to wait and see in the coming days.
“It’s also fantastic news that the Tyco BMW team will be racing at Armoy. Guy Martin and William Dunlop are no strangers to Armoy with Guy, the Man of the Meeting last year and top spot in the Supersport 2 and the Superbike races. I’ve also been reliably told that another Armoy favourite, Keith Amor is aiming to be fit and he’ll be at Armoy – so we wish him a very speedy recovery.
“The return of Martin, McWilliams, Dunlop and Farquhar is testament to the Club and the exceptional races that we put on as a team.”
Also in attendance at the launch were local riders, Paul Robinson and Sam Dunlop who ensured a great afternoon was had at Portballintrae. Armoy Road Races continue to support local riders like Paul, Sam and other 125cc riders as two strokes continue to play an integral part in their races.
They joined the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Mayor Michelle Knight-McQuillan, members of the Armoy Club, other guests and sponsors to hear senior race officials talk about what Armoy Race Week 2015 has in store.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Mayor Michelle Knight-McQuillan, thanked the AMRCC for the kind invitation to the launch and said, “Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is extremely proud to be associated with the Armoy Road Races and I am delighted to be here at the Bayview Hotel in Portballintrae for the launch of the seventh road race. The Armoy Races have managed to achieve notoriety in the world of road facing and beyond our shores.
“I’d like to take this opportunity and thank the Club for their hard work, co-operation and enthusiasm – it is to be commended and I look forward to a safe and enjoyable event.”
Bill Kennedy MBE concluded: “I’d like to finish by thanking Tourism Northern Ireland, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and Tourism Ireland for their generous support. I’d also like to thank our title sponsor SGS International. Without the support and sponsorship from these organisations and other sponsors present here today, the event wouldn’t be possible.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all the Club members, the officials and volunteers who give freely of their time and expertise. We could not do it without them.”
The event is part funded by Tourism Northern Ireland and Bike Week runs from Sunday 19th July until Saturday 25th July 2015 with the SGS International ‘Race of Legends’ featuring on the Saturday 25th July 2015.
For more information visit www.amrrc.com or search for ‘AMRRC’ on Facebook and join the official fan page and you can also follow us on twitter at @ArmoyRoadRaces.