Communities Minister, Mr Paul Givan MLA, Ian Paisley MP, Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club Chairman and Clerk of the Course, Bill Kennedy, 

and Treasurer George Huey with William Dunlop on the Armoy course.

The Armoy Road Races have received a cash injection of £55,000 from the Department of Communities, which will be used to enhance safety at the popular national meeting.

Communities Minister Paul Girvan, who announced the funding package, said the event had developed into one of the country’s top road races since it was first held in 2009.

“The Armoy Road Races have proved a must attend event in the road racing calendar across Ireland. Without a doubt it has grown in stature since its inception in 2009 and has become one of the best National Road Races there is,” he said.

“I’m delighted that this financial commitment will make a significant contribution to the safety of the course as well as tourism and marketing of Northern Ireland as a venue for fantastic sporting events.”

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley, a staunch advocate of the sport, was instrumental in lobbying the department on the matter and the money will be used towards the purchase of new safety equipment and upgrades.

“I am delighted by this support,” said Mr Paisley, who was speaking after visiting the circuit with Clerk of the Course Bill Kennedy and Ballymoney rider William Dunlop.

“The Minister is making safety at road races a priority and I welcome this as a significant investment and vote of confidence in the race, the sport and the organisers who do so much on a voluntary basis to make this a showcase event.”

A delighted Kennedy said the commitment was ‘great news’ for the club.

“This is great news indeed for the Club and Armoy Road Races. This exceptional financial support will provide further safety precautions and measures for our races,” said Kennedy.

“We are indebted to the Communities Minister Paul Givan, who also took time out of his busy diary with Ian Paisley MP and Mervyn Storey MLA to come to Armoy several weeks ago.

“The Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club would like to say thank you to all those involved and to the Communities Minister, Paul Givan for not only listening but acting too.

“This will make a difference to this year’s race.”

Kyle White