Kells road races ready for action

Seventeen not out. Like cricket, the summer is when the motorcycling season gets into gear and for the 17th successive year the Kells Road Races will be held with the action taking place, appropriately, over the weekend of the 16th and 17th July. The races are now the only international motorcycling event held in the Republic of Ireland attracting huge crowds to the Crossakiel circuit. The 2011 event was officially launched at Ace Autobody's premises in Bective Street, Kells. And while there were plenty of smiles as old acquaintances met up again , there was also the reminder that motorcycling remains a sport where the threat of a serious injury or worse is never far away. Among the people who attended the launch were members of Stephen Larkin's family including his young wife Cathy. The Ulsterman was only 27 when he died last year after he was involved in an accident during a practice run on the Crossakiel track, leaving behind his wife and three young children His untimely passing generated all the headlines and those who govern the sport have since embarked on a review of safety measures to once again try and ensure the risk to riders is reduced to an absolute minimum. Yet despite the best intentions, the nature of the sport ensures that motorcycling will always contain that inherent threat to life and limb. Last summer was the second successive year a motorcyclist died in an accident at the event. Motorcyclists and their families are more aware than anybody of the dangers, yet they still return, year after year. There was repeated references at the official launch about how those involved in motorcycling are part of the "same family" regardless of creed or country. Even when it was dangerous to do so, motorcyclists, their families and friends, north and south, maintained close connections - and continue to do so. Speaking to the Meath Chronicle, Cathy Larkin told of her decision to travel from her native Ulster to the launch. "It was in one way an easy decision because Stephen loved motorbike racing, Aileen (Ferguson) and the Kells club have been very supportive and it was really about coming down and supporting them. It was a tough decision to make, but it was the right decision," she said. "I feel that Stephen would want me to be here and show my support. Me and the kids were here when the accident happened. Stephen loved racing since he was no age and it was part of our family life. "This would have been his third year racing at Kells, he enjoyed the track here. It was a bit like Tandragee track back up home." Organising this year's event has proved to be extremely challenging for Ferguson and the Kells & District Motorcycling Racing Club (Kells MCRC). More challenging than at any other time. Last year's fatality cast a long shadow. There is also the cost involved and the on-going struggle to attract sponsorship with Adelaide Insurance Services remaining on as a main backer. Last year's festival was also cancelled after just three races due to torrential rain. It was just one of the many difficulties the organisers had to deal with. "Given the nature of the sport there can be difficulties and things can happen, but this is our 17th year and we had 15 good years with nothing happening," said the Kells MCRC secretary. "Unfortunately the past two years for us as a club have been horrendous, but we must pay tribute to the Larkin family from last year they have been absolutely fantastic. They were adamant last year the races went ahead." Ferguson admitted it was hard getting sponsorship and that there were remaining expenses from last year still to be met. "We're still paying bills from last year, but then again it was the first time that happened so you have to take these things. It can be hard to lift the head when accidents happen two years in-a-row and losing financially as well, but we're up and running and we've a strong club and we're getting great support," she added. It costs in the region of €140,000 to stage the races making sponsorship crucial. The biggest cost last year for the organisers was not prize money or insurance, but hiring a Northern Ireland-based TV company who have experience in covering motorcycling events. Images from the Kells Races were, added Ferguson, beamed worldwide. "If you want to put on a top quality event and attract top quality competitors, it's a chicken and egg scenario. If you have top quality competitors you get the spectators coming and that's what we need," said Ferguson. She added that special efforts were being made this year to attract visitors from abroad. Speakers on the night included Fine Gael TD Shane McEntee, the chairman of the Kells MCRC Johnny Landy, head of the medical team at the Kells Races Jim Leonard, who appealed for the "loan" of an SUV for the few days, Meath Co Council's Bryan Reilly, Kells Supt Jim McGowan and Motorcycling Union of Ireland president Sean Bissett. References were made to the value of the Kells Races in the local economy, the need for public and private bodies to give support. There was also a presentation made to former Transport Minister Noel Dempsey who opened the first Kells Road Races in 1994 at Dulane. Motorcycling has come a long way since then and despite the difficulties of recent years, the feeling was there was some distance to go yet to fully realise the potential of the Kells Races.