Changes planned for Armoy race

Following the tragic death of Mr Hill McCooke at the inaugural meeting last year the Armoy club revued safety for spectators, and it was felt that as there is sufficient area available just before the site of the accident, at Deans Rise, that a re-alignment of the road could take place. According to Clerk of the Course Bill Kennedy: "It was always the clubs plan to sit down after the event and look at every aspect of the days racing. "We wanted to look at rider safety, spectator safety and any other issues that we had with the first running of the meeting. "We are hoping to introduce a series of improvements, which will include a change in the alignment of the road at McCaughans Corner, which is the left hand kink just after the start. It will be a properly structured piece of road, and will be the same width as the rest of the track. The space is available and so we hope to make use of it. "We plan to re-align the road after the start finish area, with a view to slowing the bikes down on the run down into Armoy itself." The Armoy club also plan a number of other improvements, like an upgrade of the paddock, and putting an improved surface in the area of race control. There are plans to remove a number of sections of hedge and fencing in some areas of the circuit, where it is thought that safety could benefit from doing so. After last year's race, many top riders said that Deans Rise was easily the fastest corner on any race track. The big bikes were well in access of 175mph at the top of the hill, before the drop into the village. Hopefully, now, this will slow them down, and make things a bit safer. Until Mr. McCookes death last year, we had been treated to one of the best day's racing of the season. It's good to see the Armoy club moving to improve what was already a fantastically organised and run days racing. Every aspect of the meeting had been first class, and for a club with such limited experience it was a credit to them. Im looking forward to this years meeting already. MCUI TRAINING SCHOOL The MCUI Training School, compulsory for newcomers, will take place in February. The dates are the 7th, 14th and the 21st of the month. Any new riders wishing to take out a racing licence for 2010 will have take part in the school, where their ability to control a bike will be assessed. The MCUI will not issue a licence to anyone who has not taken part in the school. It's not all about that though, as the instructors give advice on things like gearing, braking points, bike set up and the multitude of other things that riders should be aware of nowadays. The MCUI panel of Doctors are also there, giving advice on diet etc and how not to treat your body to get the best out of it. Jim Cray, as usual, is the contact to register for the school. He can be contacted on 028 9081 3095.