Four days for Kells races
At the launch of 2010 Adelaide International-sponsored Kells Road Races were Cllr Brian Curran and Nichola Pearse of Adelaide International Insurance.
Now regarded as one of Ireland's premier motorcycling events the Kells Road Races promises the to be bigger and better than ever this year despite the recession, claim the organisers.
An indication of how this Cheltenham-for-motorcycle-enthusiasts continues to move up a few gears can be seen the way the 2010 festival will be extended from three to four days.
Details of the schedule were revealed at the official launch last week when a wide range of people from the motorcycling world gathered at McKeon Motors, Kells.
The launch was hosted by BBC motorcycling commentator George McCann and the attendance included local politicians, business people, Garda representatives and members of motorcycling clubs from the north and south of border.
The races will take place in their usual location at Crossakiel on Sunday, 18th July with many of the best-known motorcyclists in Ireland and Britain scheduled to take part. The races annually attract thousands to the north Meath village and this year promises to be no different.
Tony Lynch, a founder member of Kells Motorcycle Club in 1992, continues to be one of the chief organisers along with other original members Aileen Ferguson and Lester Ferguson.
Lynch pointed out to the Meath Chronicle that this will the 16th year the Kells Road Races have been held and they continue to expand. These days work involved in organising the Road Races starts almost as soon as the previous year's events are over.
"Overall last year it cost up to €150,000 to run the event," stated Lynch.
In addition to the races, other events have been organised this year. For the first time the weekend of events will kick-off on the Thursday, 15th July when youngsters from Armoy, Co Antrim and the Kells area will play rugby and soccer games.
The motorcycling clubs from both areas have also for the first time joined forces to form the Armoy/Kells Cross Border Championship with further details to be announced at Stormont soon.
There is a strong cross-border connection between the motorcycling communities in the North and South and the rugby and football games are an attempt by the organisers to consolidate the relationship.
The same day there will be a display by the Dunboyne Motor Club of vintage motorbikes and cars as well as 'Mini Moto Racing' in Kells. This will involve minature bikes capable of speeds of 60 kph.
On the Friday (16th July) the annual charity classic run in aid of the Irish Wheelchair Association will be held with close to 150 bikes expected to be involved.
The following day some of the more serious business gets underway with practice runs around the circuit at Crossakiel while back in Kells there will the new 'Bike Fest Saturday' when world champion stuntman Mattie Griffin is scheduled to display his talents in three free shows.
There will also be the 'Kells to Kells Rideout' which will start in Kells, Co Antrim on Saturday afternoon and finish in the fairgreen in the Meath town.
"Last year we had about 300 bikes in that event and we had also a very unique occurrence in that the PSNI crossed the border with the other riders while the Gardai went to Kells in Co Antrim and escorted them down which was brilliant to see," added Lynch.
Lovers of the iconic Honda 50 will also have their chance to display their well-oiled machines in the newly introduced 'Honda 50 Run.'
One of the biggest Honda 50 fans in the country, Brian Meegan from Navan, was at the launch at McKeon Motors. Last year Meegan started a website, the honda50run.com, which has now become "the central portal" for fans of the bike which was once a common sight on the roads of Ireland.
The Honda Run is scheduled to start on the Saturday morning via Athboy, Trim, Dunshaughlin, Navan, Drogheda before returning to Kells. There will also be an attempt to assemble in Kells the largest number of trikes (large three-wheel motorcycles) ever seen in this country. There will be other events for youngsters including "a reptile farm."
As they have done for a number of years McKeon Motors will once again supply a 'medical car' to be used by the MCI Medical team and the vehicle was unveiled on Tuesday of last week.
Kells Town Council chairman Frank Curran said that the festival had brought "international coverage" to Kells.
He added that in the past riders and the thousands of motorcycling supporters who attended the races had shown "respect" for the local community and people. He hoped that would continue. Supt Pat Collins assured all present of the continued support from the Gardai and looked forward to working with the club in conjuction with Sgt. Brian Morrissey who was the main organiser of the Gardai for the race weekend.
Nichola Pearse of Adelaide Insurance added that her company were happy to sponsor the event and had signed up to provide backing up to 2012 at least.
Brian Reilly from Meath Co Council said that it was time for Failte Ireland to "wake up and smell the roses" and realise how important the Kells Road Races were in attracting people to the north east. He said it was time for them to get behind the event in a big way.
Aileen Ferguson thanked all those involved in supporting and organising the races, particularly the residents of Crossakiel and Kells, volunteers, riders, supporters, medical team, the Gardai, members of clubs who showed up on the night and the sponsors who continued to give their backing even in these economically challenging times.
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