Meet 'THE' lady behind the Race of Legends

Orginally from Ballycastle, Kathleen (pictured right) has been longstanding roadracing fan for decades and fondly remembers visiting the North West 200 at a very early age. In an exclusive interview with the Ballymoney and Moyle Times, Kathleen talks about her dedication and commitment to the sport as well as her quest to get the club and race off the ground. "People used to think I was mad when I first suggested a road race for the village but I have to say my husband William encouraged me from the word go." A modest lady she describes herself as someone who prefers to be in the background but pursuing her idea meant getting heavily involved in bringing it altogether. She's a busy housewife, Mum and Grandmother as she and husband William have raised three children Trevor, Michelle and Katrina and now have four grandchildren Zac, William, Emma and Christopher. The timing was right for Kathleen to throw herself into getting the club and race off the ground. "It has given me a new lease of life and I've learnt many new things including how to work a computer! She continued: "It's ok to be the one with the idea but to make it happen you need very special people around you to drive it forward. Robert Dunlop was hugely supportive of an Armoy Road Race and gave up his time and shared his knowledge with us. Ryan Farquhar helped us so much after Robert died. NW200 Race Director Mervyn Whyte was also a great help and support to us. "Our mainstay is Bill Kennedy, a gentle giant of a man without whom there would be no race. Our first step was to set up Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club in 2007 and Bill readily agreed to be Chairman. He's Clerk of Course and I don't know how he finds the time for everything that he does." Armoy is synonymous with motorcycle road racing thanks to many riders and their local funders who help get them started. Most famous of all of course are the Armoy Armada. But how did Kathleen get into road racing? "When I was a youngster growing up on the family farm at Magheramore Road, Ballycastle, there was eight of us and my father, William Colgan always took us to the road races especially the North West 200. He and my brothers particularly Thomas and Mick rode bikes. I only tried it once and had to keep going until the petrol ran out as I wasn't sure how to stop it!" Now married 38 years she and husband William never miss a road race attending Kells, Skerries, Mid Antrim, Ulster Grand Prix and the North West 200. "Road racing is special and over the years we've absolutely loved watching our own local boys compete." Her home is full of memorabilia and autographed photos of riders. Pride of place at the moment is a Valentino Rossi replica mini motorbike to be raffled by the supporters' club. Safety of riders and spectators is paramount and Kathleen has made a special plea for spectators to respect the marshals ruling when asked to stay back or away from prohibited areas for their own safety and the safety of the riders This year at the Armoy Kathleen will also be cheering on her own son-in-law Ian Simpson another boy from the village who is looking forward to his first road race. It's the riders who make the racing and Kathleen is full of praise for all those taking part. "The first riders we asked last year were all only too delighted to come and support us. Boys like Lincolnshire rider Guy Martin, local man Ryan Farquhar and of course Michael Dunlop. Michael has helped us out many times including short notice TV appearances!" Now that the race is well and truly off the ground and established in the racing calendar Kathleen is happy to take a more background role. She is Registrar of the club which meets monthly in the local community hall. But in the build up to race day meetings are fortnightly and everyone who is fit and able plays their part in making the festival and race day happen. Kathleen has always believed Armoy should have a road race and is delighted with its success. "Armoy is a beautiful village with a long history of road racing and we need to encourage visitors to come and visit us and enjoy our memorial garden and all our connections with the sport." But she does still have ambitions for the Race of Legends. "I'd like the Armoy to be an international race attracting top class riders like John McGuinness and Cameron Donald. Through time I'm sure it will as I firmly believe road racing has a great future here in Northern Ireland. The buzz and the excitement, there's still nothing like racing between the hedges." The Armoy Race which is sponsored by Coleraine Skip Hire and supported by Moyle District Council takes place on Saturday 7th August with roads closing at 10am and re-opneing at 7pm at the latest. Practice takes place on Friday 6th August with roads closed from 3pm to 9.30pm. For more information visit www.amrrc.com.