Belfast Telegraph

BayviewHot­elgivesits­backingto ArmoyRoadR­aces’Legendstit­le

- BY ROY HARRIS

PORTBALLIN­TRAE’S Bayview Hotel has returned as title sponsor of the Armoy Road Races’ Race of Legends for the third consecutiv­e year.

Owner Trevor Kane, a keen motorcycli­ng enthusiast, has been involved with the sport for many years, with the Bayview Hotel also playing an instrument­al part since the formation of the event.

Trevor, keen to support the road racing community, particular­ly those on his doorstep, has been an integral part of the Armoy Road Races and sees it as a great fit for his family run hotel, which overlooks the harbour and the ever-changing Atlantic Ocean.

The hotel, which was recently awarded four-star status, is always home to many road racing competitor­s and fans during race week.

Elsewhere, taking a step back from the overall running of the event in 2020, Bill Kennedy, a central figure in the Armoy Motorcycli­ng Road Racing Club, will continue the role of clerk of the course.

This year also saw some changes in the structure of how the Club is run, with chairperso­n Jean McPherson, who has worked tirelessly year on year in a variety of roles, taking up the baton to manage and run the event alongside the management team, including Mick Colgan, another long-term Club member, who has been appointed as president.

McPherson said: “The Bayview Hotel and Trevor Kane are synonymous with the Armoy Road Races. Trevor has been a great friend of the club and has been a mainstay of the races these past 12 years.

“Without him and other sponsors, the races just wouldn’t take place. Their participat­ion and much needed monies are vital to the running of any national road race.”

Speaking about his role as clerk of the course, Bill Kennedy MBE commented: “I had anticipate­d taking a complete step back from the running of the races, however the club said they needed me so I’m looking forward to continuing the role.

“I will be doing a lot less of the organising as there are many valuable individual­s who have the knowhow and understand­ing to run these races.

“I’m also delighted to see Trevor Kane and the Bayview Hotel returning as title sponsor. His commitment to the club and the Armoy Road Races is unswerving; we can’t thank him enough.

“He has a wonderful hotel and the recent refurbishm­ent is outstandin­g. It is a credit to him and his team.”

Trevor Kane added: “There really is no debate; I love road racing and the Armoy Road Races are a huge part of that.

“I’m delighted that I’ve been on this journey with the club since day one and I know what a great job the club does.

“They have built something really special here on the North Coast and I have seen how it brings increasing numbers of visitors year after year.

“I would encourage anyone to get involved with the best national road race. Partnering with the club was an easy decision given my love of the sport and the amazing job they do in organising one of the most eagerly anticipate­d events in the road racing calendar.”

This year, Bike Week runs from Saturday, July 18 until Saturday, July 25, with the races taking place on the weekend of 24-25, culminatin­g in the ‘Race of Legends’.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Ireland