KELLS MOTOR CYCLE RACING CLUB REVIEW OF 2008

by admin on November 21, 2012

Following the AGM of Kells Motor Cycle Racing Club in January 2008 the club ran a very successful Road Safety Seminar in the Headfort Arms Hotel, Kells.   The seminar was one with a difference , the novelty factor was  the race bikes, riders, accessories needed to race, the rally car , fire engine, Garda Motorcycle and Paramedic Motorcycle but the message was serious.       It was a hard hitting seminar with guest speakers including Dr. John Hynes, Jim Leonard (MCUI Paramedic), Michael Finnegan , Road Safety Officer for County Meath, Nina Browne who lost her daughter in a Road Traffic Accident, Sgt Brendan Goodison and Traffic Supt. Ken Brennan.  Also present on the day were local councillors and politicians.  Mr. Johnny Brady TD represented Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and relayed a message from the Minister.       The target audience for the seminar were teenagers and in particular those who were just starting to drive.  Various driving schools in Meath were approached and all gave free driving lessons for a draw made on the day.  All teenagers who attended were entered into the draw and almost all went home with free driving lessons.  Aileen Ferguson had visited both National and Secondary Schools in Meath promoting Road Safety and the Seminar.       The seminar was very emotional especially when Dr. John and Jim Leonard showed slides of what can happen.  Nina Browne brought tears to all present with her talk about her daughter Sarah and her accident.       Also present at the seminar were Ryan Farquhar, Martin Finnegan and Wayne Kirwan representing road racers.  Suffice to say the kids present were delighted to see them and their motorbikes.  Both Ryan and Martin explained that they race under supervised conditions and would not dream of doing the same on open roads.  They gave out a very clear road safety message and urged all road users to take care.  Martin told me that if the seminar helped save a life then all was worthwhile.  The Motorcycling Community  is a sadder place without you Martin.       February saw the Kells Club Members in the Kings Hall at the Adelaide Motorcycle Festival.  We were extremely proud to have Adelaide Insurance come on board with us for the Kells Road Races 2008.  Our first official launch took place at the show and the club would like to thank all the riders who took part in the launch.           March saw the 2nd official launch and this took place in the new showrooms of McKeon Motors Kells.  Guests of honour were Minister Pat Carey, Keith Amor, Michael Dunlop, Wayne Kirwan, and Nichola Pearce from Adelaide.  Over 100 attended the launch and a good night was had by all.       Also on the night the new Medical Car for Motorcycling Ireland was launched by Kerri Lindsay and Amelia and the JD Team together with Minister Pat Carey, Sean Bissett and Jim Leonard and members of the MCI Medical Team.  Every year McKeon Motors donated a brand new vehicle for use of the medical team to be used at the road races.  Motorcycling Ireland and especially the Medical Team are deeply grateful to McKeon Motors for their kindness.  The vehicle is fully equipped with up to date medical equipment and top class medical personnel.       Once the launches were over the Club worked hard promoting Kells Road Races at every opportunity.       The main priority for the Club was to run a safe race and see everyone go home safely.  Once again racing was spectacular; all races certainly gave the spectators value for money.  The Grand Final the last race of the day did not disappoint with Keith Amor, Ryan Farquhar and Michael Dunlop putting up some battle.   Man of the Meeting for Kells 2008 - Keith Amor.       Once again there was a sigh of relief that all went off well except for some minor incidents.       The Club took a break for a few weeks and then it was back into organising for 2009.           The Kells Club managed to get into the Finals of the Meath Marketing Awards.  The Club was delighted to come runner up in this important award as it recognised all the hard work that goes into promoting and marketing the Kells Road Races.           HISTORY was made at Kells this year with the Kells to Kells Ride out.  This was an event which started in Kells Co. Antrim and finished in Kells Co. Meath.  It was sponsored by Adelaide Insurance and organised by The Quay Vipers MCC.  The Ride out raised over 5,000 Euros for the Ireland Air Ambulance, a very worthy cause.  What made this event so special was the fact that the Gardia travelled to Kells in County Antrim and received a fantastic welcome and both the Gardai and PSNI along with 350 bikers travelled to the Fairgreen Kells where a presentation was made to the Air Ambulance Crew.  DUP councillor Hubert Nichol travelled to Kells and received a very warm welcome.  Everyone expressed their delight at the very warm reception received and it can only augur well for the future.       In September a reception was held in the Town Hall, Kells where presentations were made to Kells Town Council, Ballymena borough Council, The Gardai, The PSNI, and Adelaide Insurance.  The Presentations consisted of an album of photographs of the races and also the ride out, a race programme and the 2008 DVD of the Kells Races.  Inspector Gary McComb in turn made a presentation to Aileen Ferguson, Brian Collins Chairman of Kells Town Council and Supt. Ken Brennan.  Everyone present was very much aware of the historic moment.  Motorcycling has always crossed all divides and will continue to do .       In December Aileen Ferguson was nominated for a Road Safety Award and on the 19th Dec at Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park, Dublin she was presented with a “Leading Light Road Safety Award” by none other than Gay Byrne (formerly of the Late Show and now Chairman of the Road Safety Authority).  In accepting the award Aileen congratulated the Kells Club for its proactive stance on Road Safety throughout 2008.  She said she was proud to accept the award but also accepted it on behalf of the Kells Club.       The Club would like to thank everyone who made the Kells Road Races 2008 such a success, the riders and their families and sponsors, officials of the MCUI, Marshalls who did a fantastic job (much appreciated by the club) the MCI Medical Team, Club Members, Scrutineers and Timekeepers.  Last but not least all the sponsors of Kells Road Races without whom we could not run.       A special word to thanks to Sam Geddis and all the Adelaide team who came on board with us and helped raise the profile of Kells Road Races.               We could not end our review of 2008 without wishing all the injured riders speedy recovery.       It is very sad to have to remember another two friends who tragically lost their lives this year, Robert and Martin.  Both have been friends and supporters of the Kells Road Races for many years.  We will certainly miss them and we send our love and support to their families and friends.           We wish everyone a happy and safe New Year and we hope that 2009 will be safe and incident free.       We hope to see you all back in 2009 to help us celebrate our 15th Anniversary.       Kells MCRC

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