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PRESS CONFERENCE - PRESS RELEASE - 21st APRIL 2008
Practice Friday 2nd May 2008 – Race Day Saturday 3rd May 2008
OFFICIAL RACE SPONSORS
We are pleased to announce that the 49th Tandragee 100 will take place on Saturday 3rd May 2008. Again Dalzell’s of Markethill are our overall race sponsor. As always costs have risen this year however we are able to again offer a prize fund of almost £11,000. The valued support from Dalzell`s and the continuing support of all our sponsors will enable us to promote, market and upgrade our event. All the events this year will be Irish National Championships Races with the exception of the Support Race “B” which will be a non-championship event.
Dalzell’s of Markethill have been in business for over 50 years in the selling of retail electrical appliances, hardware plus household furniture and beds. We wish them every success for the future. Trevor and his wife Sharon offer top brand names such as Indesit at unbeatable prices! In addition Dalzell’s are also a member of Euronics – Europe’s largest independent buying group.
Armagh City & District Council once again have contributed substantially to our budget. Our thanks are due to the Regeneration and Development Committee and we are indebted to Councillor Robert Turner, who is also a club member. Robert has been invaluable as always for his help and support. Also thanks are due to the Council Staff, Sharon O’Gorman (Regeneration & Development); David McKee (Technical Services);Brian Johnston (Marketing) Cara Patterson (Admin) and Francis Haughey (Finance) for their ongoing assistance.
Thanks to the help of dedicated club members we have been able to put together what promises to be a first class event in 2008.
Other companies and individuals who have helped the Club, in either a financial or material way, to make the Tandragee 100 happen, are also greatly appreciated. To these and many others the Club owes a great deal of thanks and if I have left anyone out I can only apologise.
For up to date information and news please visit our web site: www.tandragee100.com
RACE 1.
Andrew Milne Irish Championship Support Race including the 400cc – 750cc class and the over 250cc – 400cc class will be sponsored this year by Andrew Milne who at 13 years of age is our youngest ever sponsor. He is a big fan of Motorcycle Racing and I am told he hopes to race himself in the future and we would wish him the very best of luck. This is the second round of the Loanends M.R.R. Club Support Series 2008 and a round of the Daingean Supporters Club 401 – 750cc Irish Championship Series
RACE 2.
Tayto Junior Open Race. This race is open to machines of over 201cc to 1010cc. This year Tayto, who are our longest standing sponsor, are again the overall sponsor of this race and we welcome Mr Tayto tonight. Tayto (N.I.) Ltd. whose products are well known the length and breadth of Ireland, will again have their display unit in the Paddock. Thanks again to Stephen Hutchinson and his marketing manager Bob Brown.
Incorporated in this race will be the Irish Championship 250cc race.
RACE 3.
The Andrew Knox Irish Championship Classic Race, the overall sponsors of this event once again are Raymond and Trevor Knox under the banner of Andrew Knox & Co. Ltd. Raymond & Trevor are sons of the late Dick Knox, long time Club President and motorcycle and motor car racer extraordinaire.
This race is divided into four classes that have been individually sponsored.
Race for up to 250cc Class is sponsored by J P O’Hagan Tyres . J P O’Hagan’s are a local tyre distributers providing a service for approximately 50 years in the Gilford/Laurencetown area and are now managed by Stephen, Gary and Brian O’Hagan. Stephen as a former racer himself with fond memories of Tandragee is delighted to support the event.
Race for over 250cc – 350cc class is sponsored by City Autos Ltd, owned by club member, Ivor Hadden. The firm has rightfully gained a reputation for carrying out work to the highest standard in a friendly manner.
Race for over 350cc – 500cc class is sponsored by Millside Engineering Ltd. Donald McMorran, proprietor of Millside Engineering Ltd has been a long time supporter of Tandragee and lives on the course on the Markethill Road. He has 25 years engineering experience making parts for the aircraft industry. He has also been known to produce precision parts for some of the riders over the years. (He is also renowned for the odd barbeque at the end of Race day).
Race for over 500cc – unlimited class is also sponsored by City Autos Ltd. Thank you Ivor.
RACE 4.
The Around A Pound Super Sport 600 Race. We are delighted to announce this race is now sponsored by Around A Pound. This is a family run business formed in 1998. They deal mainly in discount soft goods and are based in Newry with outlets in Banbridge, Newcastle & Lurgan. Gerard certainly is an enthusiast and is again sponsoring Michael and Sam Dunlop in the 2008 season. Our thanks to Gerard and Siobhan Rice for their continuing support.
RACE 5.
CFL Kitchens Support Race B (non championship). Incorporating the 401 – 750cc class and the 201 – 400cc class this race is sponsored by CFL Kitchens. Gordon Kerr operates as CFL or Craigavon Furniture Ltd and has been in business in Carn for a number of years. He specialises in exclusive custom made kitchens and in more recent years made to measure bedroom furniture.
RACE 6
The Modular Panel Systems Ltd Lightweight Race is open to 125cc grand prix machines and 250cc –400cc machines, with this years overall sponsor being Modular Panel Systems Ltd. For over 30 years The Modular Group, have been the leading supplier of sophisticated cold storage and food processing facilities to customers throughout Europe. Modular Panel Systems Ltd. provide a comprehensive technical service to architects, designers and other construction professionals, from concept to on-site installation.
The 125cc race is again sponsored by People Direct Recruitment Agency based in Portadown. They are represented this evening by Malcolm Love and we wish Malcolm every success in the coming season.
Also to run concurrently with this race is the Street Sweep Two - Stroke 250cc Championship, which is a race for 250cc Grand Prix machines. Our thanks to Joe Wright and Vivien Dynes from Two - Stroke and Gary Ryan from Street Sweep for their continued support and we wish them well for this year’s championship.
RACE 7.
Dalzell’s of Markethill Tandragee 100 Senior Open Race, the final race of the day which is sponsored by our overall sponsor and as last year this race will have prize money of over £2000 and the winner will again collect a cool £1,000.
We are also pleased to announce another excellent entry. There are a total of 178 riders, of whom 35 are from the UK, 47 from the South of Ireland and 96 Ulster Centre Riders. There are 37 newcomers included in those figures, giving us a total of 308 rider entries. This can only auger well for the future of the sport.
Our thanks also to Florence Burns and her team, who have worked very hard to include as many riders as possible within our 7 Race Programme.
Competition
This year ONE of our Race Programmes will have a message somewhere inside. If yours is the winning programme it will contain details of how to collect your prize of one hundred pounds and an official Club Polo Shirt. Please support the event by buying a Programme and you’ll be in with a chance.
PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OUR SPONSORS.
Once again thanks to everyone and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our competitors an enjoyable and safe days racing.
Ian Forsythe - Event Co-Ordinator
PRESS NIGHT PHOTOS
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