The 2009 Adelaide International Kells Road Races were launched in McKeon Motors Kells on Sat. 21st March at 8pm.  The huge crowd attending the launch were in fine form especially after Irelands Grand Slam victory.  Representatives from Bush, Cookstown, Tullyallen, Daingean and the 2 Stroke Supporters Club enjoyed the hospitality on the night.   Various speakers included  Liz McCormack, Chairperson of Meath Co. Council,  Brian Collins, Chairman of Kells Town Council and TDs  Johnny Brady and Damien English.  All expressed their continued support for the Road Races and wished all the competitors a safe weekend racing. Nichola Pearce and Neil Jarvis represented the main sponsors Adelaide Insurance .  The good working relationship between Adelaide and the Kells Club was acknowledged as was the hard work of the Club. Chairman Tony Lynch gave a history of the start up of the Club and the founding members in 1992 were  Barry & Helen Macken,  Aileen & Lester Ferguson, Tony Lynch, Brendan Maguire and Anthony Doyle.  He also mentioned how successful the Kells to Kells Rideout was last year in aid of the Ireland Air Ambulance and it was hoped that this year would be even bigger.  The co-operation between the PSNI and Gardai was mentioned and thanks from the Club were expressed.   Aileen Ferguson , Race Secretary and PRO for Kells MCRC spoke about last year and what the club hoped to achieve this year.  New for the club this year is the International Race and members have been working extremely hard to build up a sizeable prize fund.  Several races will be televised again this year and anyone interested in sponsoring a race was asked to contact the club.  New for the event this year is a  Man of the Meeting prize of  1,000 euros kindly sponsored by Michael Dixon of Dixon International Transport in Duleek.  Man of the meeting will be worked out on a points system this year.  The Residents from Crossakiel were thanked by the club for their continued help and co-operation and it was hoped that this good working relationship continue for many years.  Many of the residents help out over the race weekend especially the parents from the local Ballinlough National School.   Also on the night we had the launch of the Medical Car for the MCI Medical Team courtesy of Mc Keon Motors in Kells.  The Martin Finnegan Supporters Club presented Jim Leonard and the Medical Team with a top of the range Defib. & Monitor to be used at the races.  Donations in lieu of flowers  at Martins Funeral enabled this vital piece of Medical Equipment to be purchased.  Thanks was expressed to the Finnegan Family and good wishes sent to them. It was great to see Amelia on the night with Wayne , Louise and Aaron and  JD colours on show once more.  Amelia brought along one of the pole protectors she has purchased with funds raised on the Annual JD Run.  These pole protectors will be available at the Road Races and thanks were expressed to Amelia .  John and Martin were very safety conscious and even still  they are helping to look after riders welfare. Many thanks to the Finnegan Family for providing Martins bike for the medical launch.  It was lovely to see number 45 back among so many friends. It shows the true spirit of the Motorcycling Family when even in grief  Amelia and the whole Finnegan family and circle of friends were able to think of others and their welfare. A big thank you goes to John Burrows, Wayne Kirwan, Gerry Daniels , Mark Shiels all who provided race bikes on the night.  Thanks also to Ryan Farquhar, Keith Amor and Andy Farrell for their support on the night. This year the Kells weekend kicks off with the Charity Classic Run which  will start at the Railway Bar Kells, register at 6.30pm on Friday 17th.  It is getting bigger every year and all going well Guy Martin may be one of the starters this year. On Saturday 18th we will have practice and racing in Crossakiel.  Sunday 19th is the big race day.   The entries for this year so far promises some cracking entertainment with Ryan Farquhar, Keith Amor, Guy Martin, Ian Lougher, Michael Pearson, Karl Rennie, Gary Johnson, Adrian Archibald, Stephen Thompson,  William & Michael Dunlop to name but a few competing.   The Club would like to thank all of their sponsors old and new , their continued support is very much appreciated. As a thank you this year to all marshals who sign on at Kells on the 18th & 19th July several draws will be made for mini breaks in Meath.  Thanks to the hotel group Meet in Meath & Meath Tourism mini breaks have been donated.  So come on marshals sign up and be in with a chance to win a break in some of the top hotels in Meath including the  5 star  Dunboyne Castle Hotel. As a fundraiser the club is holding  A Grand Prix in the Zone  Karting Arena in Navan and all monies raised will go directly into the Prize Fund.  It promises to be a night of fun, with finger food for all competing.  Teams of 5 at  55 euros per person.  Already companies and even the local Gardai have put in teams so anyone brave enough to take part contact Aileen Ferguson  00353 87 2289958 or kellsroadraces@hotmail.com.  It promises to be fast and furious fun and good craic.   Keep up to date with progress for this years event on kellsroadraces.com Yours in sport   Aileen Ferguson   Race Sec & PRO    00353 46 9240972,  00353 87 2289958.