MEET THE RIDERS
We have a great diversity of different types of people who race Moto 400. We would like the spectator and racing fan to get to know some of these riders and find out a bit more about who they are and why the race. We will interview some of our riders, so you can get a feel for their passion and drive to race motorcycles. Interviews will be published below.
Damien Horgan
PK Racing Yamaha FZR 400
Age: 43
From: Dundalk
What got you into bikes? Dad and Uncle
Whats your favourite race circuits? Road Race - Killalane
Track - Anglesey
Motorcycle Hero's Past and Present?
Past - Joey Dunlop
Present - Shakey Byrne
What pre season testing have you done?
Went to Monteblanco in Spain with Motocraft, went really well. Bike going great after finding a new set up for it, private track day in Kirkistown also, took a while to get the 400 set up, but was going well by afternoon.
What are your plans for 2019?
Plan to compete in USBK in Supersport and Lightweight classes. Also Moto 400 and Masters Lightweight class.
Sponsors:
PK Racing, Motocraft, and Michelin.
What do you think of Moto 400?
A brilliant idea, bringing the 400/lightweight class back to the fore. A brilliant class to bring new talent up. It's a group of riders who are enjoying their racing and encourage each other along. Events are well very well run.
Gareth Morrell
Shay D Yamaha FZR 400
Age: 24
From: Ballymoney
What got you into bikes? I grew up around the paddock when I was younger carrying wheels and cleaning bikes for people my Dad was helping (Adrian Archibald, Ryan Farquhar too name a couple) I loved getting away to the bikes.
Whats your favourite race circuits? If I'm on a bike I like every circuit but as a newcomer and only ridden 2 so far would have to be Bishopscourt though look forward to Mondello also
Motorcycle Hero's Past and Present?
Past - Joey Dunlop
Present - Rossi
What are your plans for 2019?
Just to have a good steady run in my first year and try to learn as much as I can
Sponsors:
Shay D Racing, RDC Contracts and a couple off friends and family giving a few pound every little helps
What do you think of Moto 400?
Yeah it seems a good idea and keeps the class running and people interested in the class and keeps these fun old timers on the trackencourage each other along. Events are well very well run.
Ciaran Loughman
Hamill Motorcycles Honda CBR 400
Age: 24
From: Kildare
What got you into bikes? I've always had a interest in bikes I would get excited when I was a kid when a bike would go by, as I got older I went to see the Irish stunt team at Mondello and there was racing on at the same time that was me hooked ever since
Whats your favourite race circuits? Mondello Park International Track
Motorcycle Hero's Past and Present?
Past - William Dunlop
Present - Marc Marquez
What are your plans for 2019?
My plan this year is to again compete in the Dunlop Masters which I was runner up in last year, and in Moto 400.
What bike are you racing?
I am racing a Honda CBR 400RR, preparation has gone well, a lot of work put in by myself and Damian Hamill at Hamill & Sons Motorcycles to build the bike for this year
Have you any plans to race bigger bikes?
Yes, I hope to change to a bigger bike next year, possibly Supersport 600
Sponsors:
Hamill & Sons Motorcycles
Paddy Hamill & Son Lawn and Farm Machinery Services
Jerry Horgan Crash Repairs Kildare Kieran Hamill Auto Repairs
J.J MARTINS
What do you think of Moto 400?
I think it's a great concept helping keep the grid numbers up in the 400 class and making for more competitive and fair racing
It seems a good idea and keeps the class running and people interested in the class and keeps these fun old timers on the track to encourage each other along. Events are well very well run.