Bikers back to Race of the South after four-year break
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Lucy Curran, Mary Judge and Aimee Morgan from Principal Insurance, title sponsors, with Sean Leonard and Michael Halpin from Fore Motorcycle Racing Club. Photos: Jay G FordeImage 2 of 7
Mark Sheridan, Darren Fagan, Jack Meares and Seán Leonard at the Fore Motor Cycle Racing Club CLG launch event in McCormack’s Bar, CastlepollardImage 3 of 7
Paul and Liam Fallon from Fallon Racing #99.Image 4 of 7
Sean Leonard and Ollie and Kit White, part of the organising team for the Walderstown road races.Image 5 of 7
Alan Hannon, treasurer, and Michael Halpin, chairman, of Fore Motor Cycle Racing Club CLG.Image 6 of 7
Packie Healy (Packie Healy Mechanical Services) and Johnny Reilly (supporter).Image 7 of 7
Mickey Brady, Frank Kane and Brendan Maher, supporters from Freewheelers MC East Coast Chapter.Road racing is back in the Republic of Ireland and Fore Motor Cycle Racing Club have their plans in place for the return of the Race of the South at Walderstown on July 18 and 19.
The club held a launch event at McCormack’s Bar in Castlepollard on Saturday night, where they outlined their plans for the weekend and held Q&As with racers Paul Fallon and Jack Meares and with Aimee Morgan from Principal Insurance by Howden, who are the title sponsors for the ‘Walderstown Road Races, Race of the South’.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner earlier in the evening, Fore MCRC chairperson Michael Halpin focused on the many people and organisations who had to be thanked, from the team at McCormack’s to Minister of State Robert Troy, TD, who helped secure the funding for preparation of the roads that form the track – including the removal of the cat’s eyes – and Westmeath County Council, fellow committee members and other volunteers, and of course Principal Insurance.
The races and the company have a solid relationship that goes back 10 years, during which they have been sponsor or title sponsor at various times.
Principal Insurance support motorbike events all over the country and “we are delighted to see them on board again with Fore club” said Michael. “A big thanks to Aimee and her team at Principal for their help and support.” Aimee Morgan is events and data coordinator with Principal, which is part of Howden Ireland, and has been working for the company for the same length of time as they have been sponsoring the Fore races – 10 years.
She is a fan of bike racing and loves the atmosphere in the paddock and the sense of community, and from a commercial point of view, she says the long-term relationship with bikes and bikers is important to the company. “Not only does it bring us good business, we generate good leads at it, but it’s also a good community. The paddock is always about the riders, the families, and we’re always welcomed, especially with what’s been going on with insurance. Aimee was referring to the fact that lack of insurance cover meant no road racing in the republic in the last four years, but that has been resolved and racing is back.
“Yes, we’re always made very welcome and we like to attend and support the races, put something back into the biking community.”
The two competitors who spoke to the media represent opposite ends of the age range; Paul Fallon is from Glasson, close to the Walderstown track and is in his late 40s; and Jack Meares from Clara is early 20s (we will have a further report based on a chat with the two lads before the race weekend on July 18/19.
That date is a week later than usual and the Fore club thanked the Faugheen50 Supporters Club for swapping their traditional dates with them.
Roads close at 12pm on the Saturday and 8am on the Sunday. Camping is reserved for riders, their crews, family and officials, and there will be car parks available for all spectators close to the circuit.