Enniskillen Road Races get the green light.....
Preparations are
well underway to bring road racing back to Enniskillen after 66 years since the
last road race was held in Fermanagh. The Enniskillen 100
was a well-known and prestigious racing event and
between 1929 and 1952, seventeen races were held on the six and a quarter
mile triangular circuit. In 2012 the Enniskillen 100 at St Angelo was set
up as commemorative event with support of
the then local council, which moved to championship status the
following year.
After four
successful years of championship racing at St Angelo, which will
again be held this weekend, the Enniskillen
and District Motorcycle Club (Road Racing) Ltd. have now
revealed they have applied to move up a gear and hold a road race
in 2018 as well as the current short circuit event. First time spectators
this weekend will see for themselves how popular the sport of motorcycle racing
is, and how much effort goes in to running such an event.
The club
have met with senior Council officers about the proposed road race and the
benefits it would bring to the area, and their
plans were received positively. The club have been asked to
provide further information about the finances involved and they look forward
to their second meeting.
Members of the
club have visited residents as well as farmers around the circuit and
found the local community to be overwhelmingly supportive.
An event of
this nature is a massive undertaking and road racing isn’t just a
motorsport event, but also an opportunity to bring the whole community together
and also will not only showcase how welcoming County Fermanagh can be
regardless of what your interests are, but also increase tourism for the area.
With many road
races through the North and South of Ireland, and with riders,
teams and fans prepared to travel any lengths to catch the thrills of road
racing, this would introduce a new opportunity to the area as it
would be the only road race in the west of Northern Ireland. The proposed
circuit itself, settled in the quiet countryside with scenic views
of Benaughlin and Cuilcagh mountains, is
a 3.1-mile triangle with twists and turns and plenty of areas
for viewing spectators.
The club have
been continuously fundraising for many years and are thankful to the
support of all those who have contributed towards funding with special thanks
to the Britton family, and encourage more people to visit St. Angelo on
Saturday, which will help with raising of funds towards the future road race.
There are also
sponsorship opportunities available for local businesses and the club are
currently actively seeking title sponsors and individual race
sponsors.
Photo.... L-R
Rodney Shaw (Enniskillen & District MCC Road Racing ltd chairperson), Sean
Cox, (Cleenish Community Association chairperson), Fiona Ferris (club
secretary), Gillian Conlon (club treasurer), Trevor Kennedy (vice chairperson),
Gary McBrien (club member & local resident).
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