Motorcycle action for Crossakiel
The 14th annual Kells motorcycle road races will take place this weekend from Friday evening to Sunday when the real action will unfold around the Crossakiel circuit over a distance of slightly more than three kilometres. Kells and District Motor Cycle Club has secured major sponsorship from Adelaide Insurance for the event. Since the action first roared away from the grid on Sunday, 8th May 1994 at the Dulane circuit, for the first of six races, the event has grown in both size and popularity with close to 20 races scheduled this weekend. The organisers, and in particular, hard-working event secretary Aileen Ferguson, are looking forward to a competitive and action-packed weekend with over 170 competitors lining up on the grid. Apart from the locals, there will be 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 which will leave the spotlight firmly on the Royal County. Some of the competitors will includ 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. Practice on the Crossakiel circuit will begin on Saturday afternoon from 1.0 with two races (the 201-400cc support and 500-1000cc classic) also scheduled. Sunday"s opening race is scheduled for shortly after 11.0 with the John Donnan Irish Championship 600cc. A dozen races will be run off during the day, culminating in the Kells Grand Final. Apart from the sponsorship provided by Adelaide Insurance, local businesses have rowed in behind this well-regarded event with McKeon Motors, Headfort Arms Hotel, Railway Bar, CCs Unlimited, Hogan"s Farm, Midland Heating & Plumbing, Blackwater Landscapes, Mark Shiels Driving School, Palace Nite Club, Finian Reilly Agrisales, Navan Commercials, Navan Ford Centre, Silverwood, Costello Print, Clinton Enterprises, Welcome Wagon, JD Motorcycles, Simon Cotter Motorcycles, Sherlock Gates, McCabe"s Bar (Crossakiel), The Amigos, Fagan"s Bar (Moynalvey), Smart Scaffolding Ltd (Cavan) all providing much-needed financial support. Apart from the business community, both Kells Town Council and Meath County Council have pledged support once again. The action will begin on Friday evening with the annual Charity Classic Run, 7.0, 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 North Meath Rugby Club all set to benefit. An Open Air Trade Fair will take place at 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 children"s 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 3.0. An officlal tourist village is planned for visitors and further details are available from Aileen Ferguson at (046) 9240972.