Crossakiel prepares for annual Kells Road Races
THE final preparations are near completion for the annual Kells Road Races in Crossakiel, with over 170 competitors including many internationally-known riders set to compete on Saturday and Sunday, 19th and 20th July. Setanta, Sky Sports and Motors TV will televise the event this year with longtime visitors Cameron Donald, Guy Martin, Ryan Farquhar and Conor Cummins being joined by upcoming Keith Amor, Gary Johnson and Ian Armstrong. Veterans Carl Rennie, Davy Morgan, Victor Gilmore, Damien Mulleady, William and Michael Dunlop will also be in action. Practices on the Crossakiel circuit begins at 1pm on the Saturday, with two races(the 201-400cc support and 500-1000cc classic). Sunday"s opening race begins after 11am - the John Donnan Irish Championship 600cc. A dozen races will be run off during the day, culminating in the Kells Grand Final. Kells and District Motor Cycle Club has secured the major sponsorship of Adelaide Insurance as well as McKeon Motors, Headfort Arms Hotel, Railway Bar, CCs Unlimited, Hogans Farm, Midland Heating & Plumbing, Blackwater Landscapes, Mark Shiels Driving School, Pacade Nite Club, Finian Reilly Agrisales, Navan Commercials, Navan Ford Centre, Silverwood, Costello Print, Clinton Enterprises, Welcome Wagon, JD Motorcycles, Simon Cotter Motorcycles, Sherlock Gates, McCabes Bar(Crossakiel),The Amigos, Fagans Bar(Moynalvey), Smart Scaffolding Ltd(Cavan) as well as Kells Town Council and Meath County Council. The Club"s annual Charity Classic Run takes place on Friday, 18th July at 7pm in aid of the Midway charity based at Climber Hall, Kells, with Ballinlough NS, IGG(North East), Kells Scout Troop, Crossakiel TT and Handball club as well as Kells Rugby Club set to benefit. The Open Air Trade Fair will take place in the Fairgreen, Kells with a park and ride system at the Loyd Business Park, Cavan Road. The Fairgreen display will include Michael Schumacher"s Formula One car, brought to town by Liscarton Motor Company, with free bouncy castles and other childrens amusements. The Saturday programme also includes the Kells to Kells Run in aid of Ireland Air Ambulance, from the Antrim town of Kells which will arrive on site at 3pm. An officlal tourist village is planned for visitors and further details may be had from Race secretary Aileen Ferguson at (046) 924 0972.