Steve
21-11-2008, 00:42
Copied this from another Forum, didnt think it would happen but im glad it is!!
Interesting last paragraph too! Nig, read that!!! Woohoo!!
THE North Armagh Motorcycle Club has officially confirmed that next year's 50th anniversary Tandragee 100 road races will go ahead in May.
Two high profile fatalities that claimed the lives of top Irish road racers John Donnan and Martin Finnegan had thrown the future of the event into doubt, but yesterday the club revealed that preparations are underway for the milestone meeting in 200
The race organisers expect their application to stage the race on Saturday, May 2, with practice taking place on May 1, to be rubber-stamped in the coming weeks.
The club's press officer, Ian Barnett, told News Letter Sport that the decision to plan towards the 2009 Tandragee 100 had been taken with the full blessing of the Finnegan family, after the popular Lusk star was killed following an accident at Marlacoo Corner in the Supersport 600 race this season.
As a result of the tragedy, the meeting was abandoned for the second year in succession and speculation has since been rife that the prestigious Ulster road race would disappear from the racing calendar.
However, Barnett revealed that a new title sponsor – Around a Pound – has now been brought on board after a previous four-year deal with Dalzell's of Markethill expired this year.
"Following the well-published lows felt after the tragic events of this year, much discussion and deliberation took place and with the support and encouragement of Martin Finnegan's family, the decision to run the event in 2009 was unanimously supported by all members within the club," said Barnett.
"With 2009 being a special year for the Tandragee 100, the target is to make the event bigger, better and more family–orientated with a wide and varied series of events running during race week. Plans are well underway to achieve these goals.
"The 2009 event will see the introduction of a new overall sponsor – Gerard and Siobhan Rice of Around a Pound, who have taken up this title and are sincerely welcomed by the club," he added.
"They own retail outlets in Newry, Banbridge, Newcastle and Lurgan and Gerard is no newcomer to road racing, being the sponsor of Michael and Sam Dunlop for the past three years and continuing with this sponsorship for the 2009 season.
"Gerard's involvement with the Tandragee 100 has been longstanding, with Around a Pound being the sponsors of several of the individual races over the past number of years."
The Tandragee 100 is traditionally the second road race on the motorcycling calendar, taking place after the Cookstown 100 and providing riders with an opportunity to gain beneficial track time in the build up to the International North West 200, which will be held on May 16 next year.
The news that the Co Armagh event will go ahead will be welcomed by all pure road race enthusiasts, who regard Tandragee as the top surviving national event in Northern Ireland.
As revealed in Keep 'er Lit in the summer, the Mid-Antrim 150 will also make a welcome return to the calendar next year
newsletter...
Interesting last paragraph too! Nig, read that!!! Woohoo!!
THE North Armagh Motorcycle Club has officially confirmed that next year's 50th anniversary Tandragee 100 road races will go ahead in May.
Two high profile fatalities that claimed the lives of top Irish road racers John Donnan and Martin Finnegan had thrown the future of the event into doubt, but yesterday the club revealed that preparations are underway for the milestone meeting in 200
The race organisers expect their application to stage the race on Saturday, May 2, with practice taking place on May 1, to be rubber-stamped in the coming weeks.
The club's press officer, Ian Barnett, told News Letter Sport that the decision to plan towards the 2009 Tandragee 100 had been taken with the full blessing of the Finnegan family, after the popular Lusk star was killed following an accident at Marlacoo Corner in the Supersport 600 race this season.
As a result of the tragedy, the meeting was abandoned for the second year in succession and speculation has since been rife that the prestigious Ulster road race would disappear from the racing calendar.
However, Barnett revealed that a new title sponsor – Around a Pound – has now been brought on board after a previous four-year deal with Dalzell's of Markethill expired this year.
"Following the well-published lows felt after the tragic events of this year, much discussion and deliberation took place and with the support and encouragement of Martin Finnegan's family, the decision to run the event in 2009 was unanimously supported by all members within the club," said Barnett.
"With 2009 being a special year for the Tandragee 100, the target is to make the event bigger, better and more family–orientated with a wide and varied series of events running during race week. Plans are well underway to achieve these goals.
"The 2009 event will see the introduction of a new overall sponsor – Gerard and Siobhan Rice of Around a Pound, who have taken up this title and are sincerely welcomed by the club," he added.
"They own retail outlets in Newry, Banbridge, Newcastle and Lurgan and Gerard is no newcomer to road racing, being the sponsor of Michael and Sam Dunlop for the past three years and continuing with this sponsorship for the 2009 season.
"Gerard's involvement with the Tandragee 100 has been longstanding, with Around a Pound being the sponsors of several of the individual races over the past number of years."
The Tandragee 100 is traditionally the second road race on the motorcycling calendar, taking place after the Cookstown 100 and providing riders with an opportunity to gain beneficial track time in the build up to the International North West 200, which will be held on May 16 next year.
The news that the Co Armagh event will go ahead will be welcomed by all pure road race enthusiasts, who regard Tandragee as the top surviving national event in Northern Ireland.
As revealed in Keep 'er Lit in the summer, the Mid-Antrim 150 will also make a welcome return to the calendar next year
newsletter...