Armoy Race of Legends 26th & 27th July
The Race of Legends
FRIDAY 26TH AND SATURDAY 27TH JULY 2019
The Frank Kennedy Classic Race could well be the race of the day ! A bold statement but that's not how we see it. Classic Racing in Ireland is on a high and is lately grabbing the attention of many. Its not all about pure speed, sometimes it's nice to pick out an exhaust note and know its Richard Ford coming on the Norton, or say to yourself, that's Barry Davidson's helmet, I'd know it anywhere. You can actually read the race numbers and say to your mate, that's number 6, young Kyle Parkes on a Honda 198, flying he is.
The racing is close, hard pushing, with extremely fast riders, on machines sometimes twice their age. The bikes are beautiful and are without doubt the best sounding machines in the paddock. Their riders, probably the most approachable, and the big names are becoming increasing more involved at national level. Two weeks ago at the Skerries 100, top TT pilot and tv presenter, Guy Martin won the senior classic race by 0.06 of a second. That's close, it doesn't get closer and the fans were loving every second of it.
Barry Davidson flat out in the wet
So the Armoy club have sent us the entry list and there's some serious talent confirmed for the classic races. Top 10 senior TT riders, Manx Grand Prix winners and even last years Junior Classic TT winner will all race.
Who should you keep an eye on ? Picking a winner in the senior is near on impossible. Richard Ford is always there in the unlimited race, when his bikes on form he's hard to beat. But this time he's up against the likes of Dominic Herbertson, the 2018 Classic TT winner who will be riding Davies Motorsport Honda's in both classic races. We also have rising Welsh road racing star Mark Purslow confirmed, he too will pilot Honda's in both races and is also a Manx GP winner. Beautiful Manx Norton's will also get into the mix in the 500 race. The popular Scottish rider Wattie Brown is confirmed, so too is John Leigh Pemberton. Last year John completed a lifelong ambition and lapped the mountain course at over 100 mph. There's lads can't do that on a supersport but he did it on a 500cc classic. Local riders will also definitely feature. Barry Davidson is a multiple Irish Champion with 78 road race wins to his name, he currently lies 5th in the Duke Road Race Rankings, ahead of the likes of Dean Harrison, Michael Dunlop and James Hillier. He's done this on a classic, most meeting's he's limited to two races or in the case of Tandragee, one race, an unbelievable racer we get to see every week. Ed Manly is also due to compete, another man with multiple wins to his name. Other notable entries include Brian Mateer, Phil Shaw, Mark Johnson, Billy Lyle and Freddie Stewart. All are very fast riders and will be in the reckoning come race day.
A fantastic line up. So yes, its fair to say The Frank Kennedy Classic Race could well be the race of the day.
Pictures Two Brothers Photography
Words Gavan Duffy