History of Skerries
SKERRIES ROAD RACE - A BRIEF HISTORY
When World War Two ended in May 1945 and petrol rationing eased, Dublin and District MCC’s thoughts turned to reviving their annual Phoenix Park showpiece, the Dublin 100 Road Race, which had been run from 1931 to 1940. However, when the club sought road closing orders from the Board of Works (then the Park’s controlling authority), it was turned down. The problem was that the Park had been used by the Government as a massive turf dump during the war years and was in no fit state for motorcycle racing, let alone a vast throng of spectators. Tens of thousands of tons of turf were stacked twenty-feet-high along both sides of the Main Road and in the area around the Fifteen Acres. The Park would not be available for racing for several years.
So the focus now switched to Skerries in North County Dublin, where the local Development Association was enthusiastic about bringing a major sports event to the area to encourage tourism, and in late 1945 had approached Dublin and District MCC on the matter (It is worth noting that the international Leinster 200 Road Race was run on the 13 mile Skerries-Rush-Lusk circuit from 1930 to 1935).
A joint committee comprising four members each from Skerries Development Association and Dublin and District MCC was set up to promote the event. Mr. Barry Mason a local resident and D.& D. member acted as Honorary Secretary of the organising committee.
After inspecting several possible courses in the area a 7.1-mile circuit, using some of the main streets of the town, was selected and so on Saturday, July 6, 1946. the inaugural Skerries 100 was held.
Run in perfect weather conditions over 14 laps of the circuit the winner of the handicap was 26year old Belfast man Harry Turner riding a 348cc Norton. Bill Bowie was Clerk of the Course and the official programme cost one shilling (about seven cents in today’s money). The days activities concluded with a very well attended dance in the Tower Ballroom. It was the start of a success story that continues to the present day.
All of Ireland’s leading riders and many visiting stars have competed at Skerries. Just check out the names of some of the race winners over the years:
Ernie Lyons, Bob Mathews, Cromie McCandless, Louis Carter, Manliff Barrington, Harry Lindsay, Sammy Miller, Ralph Rensen, Dickie Carter, Tommy Robb, Ralph Bryans, Len Ireland, Chris Goosen, Dick Creith, Ian McGregor, Brian Steenson, Billy Guthrie, Billy McCosh, Ray McCullough, Tom Herron, Michael McGarrity, Cecil Crawford, Courtney Junk, Sam McClements, Mervyn Robinson, Con Law, Eddie Laycock, Conor McGinn, Brian Reid, Robert Dunlop, Steven Cull, Johny Rea, Norman Brown, Phillip McCallen, James Courtney, Denis McCullough, Bob Jackson, Gary Dynes, Derek Young, Adrian Archibald, Darran Lindsay, Ryan Farquhar, Guy Martin, Martin Finnegan and the unforgettable Joey Dunlop who notched up no fewer than 17 wins at Skerries and held the outright lap record of 105.97 from 1999 until 2003.
The circuit was reduced in distance again to 2.92 miles in 1971 and was raced clockwise up to 1978. The direction of racing was changed on safety grounds to anti-clockwise from 1979. This course is still being used for the annual race, though a chicane was added on the section between the Tunnel and the Cricket Club a few years ago to reduce the speed of riders and their machines through the start/finish area.
In addition to all the solo classes, sidecars also raced at Skerries from 1980 to 1986, after which they were dropped. It is generally agreed now that the circuit was too narrow for the three-wheelers, but they were indeed thrilling to watch, particularly on the Dublin Corner-Baldungan-Glasshouses-Skerries Hairpin section.
Throughout its History the Dublin and District MCC’s committee and members had expressed concern at the amount of work and demand on personal time of those involved in running the Skerries races. On several occasions it was feared that the shortage of willing volunteer hands would put an end to the famous event. However, the problems were overcome until 1986 when the withdrawal of major sponsor Shell left the club with a real dilemma. After agonising on the matter for a couple of months the reluctant decision was taken by the club to withdraw from running the Skerries 100. It was the end of an era.
Just when it seemed as though the famous event had been consigned to the history books, the locally-based Loughshinny Motor Cycle Supporters Club stepped in and took over the organisation. It was a courageous decision as they were already heavily committed running their own annual road race at nearby Killalane since 1984.
The Loughshinny Club’s first Skerries race was on Saturday, July 4, 1987. on a day of blistering sunshine, Steven Cull riding a 500 cc Suzuki marked the occasion by setting a new absolute lap record of 100.04 mph on his way to winning the 15 lap Grand Final. This was the first time a Southern Irish motorcycle circuit had been lapped at over 100 mph.
The event has gone from strength to strength over the years and is now regarded as the premier event in the Republic of Ireland road racing calendar attracting the best of the best. Local hero Martin Finnegan smashed the lap record in 2003 and again in 2004, recording an average speed of 106.774mph, during a Grand Final which had the crowds cheering so loud they could be heard back in his home village of Lusk a few miles up the road.
Of the 59 events so far organised the Dublin and District MCC have organised 41 while Loughshinny MCSC have organised and promoted 18, the 2005 event will be their 19th.
This year, 2005, sees the Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club gearing up for what promises to be the biggest and best event yet. The club will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the event this year in a way only Pure Road Racing enthusiasts can.
Preparations for this historic event got underway as soon as the last competitor left the paddock at the end of last years event. The clubs Committee and members have been busy designing the souvenir programme sourcing articles and photographs of previous events to fill its pages with memories of this premier road racing festival. Sponsors and advertisers have been ‘kicking the door down’ to get involved and the local community are once again showing their support by sponsoring a bale and displaying posters in shops and pubs or by sporting a Skerries 100 ‘bumper sticker’ on their car.
The committees work is never done, at the weekly committee meetings, held every Tuesday night in the Yacht Bar and Chaired by Tony Carton, progress reports are delivered by those club members who have volunteered to be responsible for such things as Road closure applications, Medical support, Circuit advertising, Circuit preparation, Race paddock management, Sponsorship, Programme advertising, Car parking, and liaison duties with local Authorities and the Garda to name but a few.
The Skerries 100 attracts thousands of regular visitors from overseas, many make the annual ‘pilgrimage’ to North County Dublin to enjoy the renowned hospitality of the area and watch pure road racing at its very best amidst some of the best scenery in the County. The influx of visitors gives the local economy a welcome boast with Pubs, restaurants, shops and B&B’s reporting one of their busiest weekends of the year. Over 30,000 spectators are expected to attend the event this year.
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Dates for your diary 2008
Club Annual General Meeting
26th February 2008 at 8:30pm
Yacht Bar, Loughshinny.
Club flag seminars
26th February 2008 @ 8pm
Yacht Bar, Loughshinny.
Road Race Dates 2008
Skerries 100
Friday & Saturday 4th & 5th
July 2008
Killalane Road Race Dates 2008
Saturday & Sunday 13th & 14th
September 2008
Skerries DVD
2005 Skerries DVD can be yours for only €25. Please send your name, address plus cheque or postal order to:
Susan Plunkett,
Hon Club Secretary,
Loughshinny Motor Cycle Supporters Club,
Baldungan,
Lusk,
Co, Dublin.
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