The sun shone and the rain stayed away most of the weekend to allow Davy to have sweat in his boots instead of rain at the inaugural Armoy Road Races in County Antrim. It was great to be able to put on one set of wheels and just ride instead of looking up at the sky and wondering what tyre to fit.

Friday’s practice was declared un-timed by the organisers for safety reasons so it was just a case of getting as many laps as possible completed to try and learn your way around while finding out were all the bumps and jumps were. At least conditions were excellent with dry roads and the sun shining in the sky, the first time Irelands road racers have seen that in a while.

First session for Davy was on the CSC Branson R6 Yamaha and everything went well other than the gearing being just out and upon returning Davy was asked – Well what do you think, his reply with a smile “It’s different”. Davy then had a session on the CSC Branson R1 Superstock Yamaha and it was hard work with wrong gearing and handling issues. Next up was the Junior Race practice on the BLRC/Strangford Holiday Park backed 250cc Honda and it was another solid session, despite being over geared. Finally it was another run on the R1 Yamaha and with adjustments to the gearing and handling it went much better this time.

Although officially un-timed Davy recorded the fifth fastest time on the 250cc Honda, sixth on the 600cc Supersport Yamaha and seventh on the R1 in the Open Class. Unfortunately his grid positions would not reflect this as they were to be on championship positions and despite others being moved well up the grid he was dropped from fourth to sixth for the 250cc Race and was on the front row of the B Group in the Open and the third row of the B Group in the Supersport.

Race Day started with rain, but by race time it had dried up nicely. Davy was third race up on the CSC Branson R6 and as they headed of on the sighting laps the clouds dumped its load on part of the circuit making it un-rideable. After a short delay to let the circuit dry they were off, but it was still wet under the trees so Davy took no risks and after a steady ride came home a disappointing fifteenth. Next was the Open Race and from the B Group got a great start and led them into the first bend. He continued to pull clear and had a lonely ride to pass a few on the A Group riders on corrected time and come home a satisfying seventh.

The Junior 250cc Race was again affected by a light shower just before the off and after a short delay was cut to just five laps. Coming from the third row he was seventh at the end of the opening lap and got his head down and worked his way to fourth at the flag, behind the two Dunlop’s and Guy Martin. With a well earned break to the Grand Final the team relaxed before the call. Davy was confident of another good result, but an incident on the second lap brought it to a halt and the race was abandoned.

Laps (26 Friday & 28 Saturday) and results were achieved at last to give Davy a much needed to boost to confidence and more importantly race miles before the Ulster Grand Prix next week.

Speaking on Saturday evening a happier Davy commented: “First of all I want to offer my deepest condolences to the family of the spectator who was killed during the final race, it made it a very sad end to what had been a good weekend to that point”.

“The weekend had gone relatively well up until that point, I probably got more miles this weekend that I have in the last six weeks. It was great to get back to what I love doing in dry conditions and it really did bring a smile back to my face. The rain shower spoiled the Supersport Race as conditions were still too dodgy to stick my neck out so I just rode steady throughout and although disappointed with my finishing position it was more miles. I enjoyed the Open Race, but coming from the B Group it was difficult to judge the pace as I was out on my own so I was pleased to finish just 3 seconds from the top six”.

“The Junior Race was cut to five laps and it took me two laps to get going and by that time the leaders were gone, but managed to work my way through to fourth and at least at the right end of the leader board. I was confident of another good result on the CSC Branson R1, but it was not to be and as soon as I heard the news that was me finished for the day. Let’s hope for more of the good weather and good results next week at Dundrod as I am really excited about it as hopefully there will be a major announcement about the team on Monday”.

At the end of the day of the day, Davy was asked by a journalist - What do you think of the circuit not a politicians answer, just Yes or No? Davy’s reply was that of a Saintfield born lad, “Whats wrong with the Temple”.