Fans loved Joey Dunlop and Armoy Armada 'because they were local heroes who could win the big races too', says Bill Kennedy

Kennedy, whose brother and Armada member, Frank, lost his life following a crash at the North West 200 in 1979, also says that the ability of Joey and rivals like ‘Dromara Destroyer’ Ray McCullough to also win on the big stage at the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix ‘was a big reason for their popularity’.

“The fact that people were able to go and watch a local hero winning those big races as well as the wee Irish road races was a big draw,” said Kennedy, who is the Clerk of the Course at the Armoy Road Races.

“I think one of the big reasons why they were so popular is because before they came along, you had to go back to 1965 when a local rider was winning at the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix, like Dick Creith.

“It was all dominated by the English riders until Mervyn (Robinson), Joey and Ray McCullough came along and they were able to beat the likes of Tony Rutter and Phil Read.

“In the Armada days, Joey, Frank and Mervyn went to the races in a van and people were able to come around, shake their hands and have a chat with them.

“But things have changed today and riders have their big motorhomes and are working inside these big awnings.

“Some of the big riders do still have time for the fans today but I don’t think that connection between the rider and fan isn’t the same, especially at the short circuits. I think that interaction is very important.”

Kennedy recalls the camaraderie between the Armoy Armada members in those carefree days in the seventies, when Irish road racing was as much about the craic as it was about winning.

“While they all wanted to win, I think they got more satisfaction and more fun out of their racing back then,” he said.

“I’m not saying they didn’t take it seriously because they did, but they always had time for each other and to help each other out. They would have been in and out of each other’s garages throughout the week before they went racing and there was so much good, friendly rivalry, banter and fun.

“Things change and the sport has had to change, but those days were definitely some of the best.”

Kennedy experienced the inherent dangers of road racing first hand after Frank died from the injuries he sustained at the North West 200.

Of the original Armada group, only Jim Dunlop is alive today, with Frank, Mervyn Robinson and Joey all dying at the hands of the sport they loved.

And while Kennedy accepts that it is impossible to make the sport safe, he is instead committed to ensuring every possible measure can be taken to minimise the risks.

“It’s very sad for any family to lose someone but this was their chosen sport, they loved it and wanted to do it,” he said.

“I think that the onus is only promoters like ourselves to always be doing the utmost to make it as safe as it possibly can be. Nobody knows better than I do that you’ll never make it safe, but I know that over the past 15 years there have been big improvements.

“The problem now is that each time there is a fatality, it’s a big blow for racing and it also puts other riders off coming into road racing. I think that’s the big problem at the present time – there are fewer young riders coming into road racing and there is not the same appeal as there used to be.”

See also: Behind the success of the Dunlop dynasty is a narrative of heartbreak and pain.* A message from the Editor:

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