Road Racing: Exclusive-Dublin ace Andy Farrell chats with BikeRaceNews.com
March 22, 2010 by Darren Healy
Filed under Featured, Road Racing
BikeRaceNews.coms Darren Healy sits down with the Skerries native to talk about his plans and aims for the 2010 Road Racing season
Having only began racing four years ago, Andy Farrell, 30, has come a long way in a short space of time. Residing in Skerries, Dublin, Andy lives a stones throw away from the Skerries and Killalane road racing circuits so I suppose it comes as no surprise that a year on the short circuits was all it took for Andy to realise that the only place he really wanted to race was between the hedges of the Irish countryside.
His wish came true when he was granted his road racing licence and since that day he has never looked back. After a couple of seasons in the 750cc Support class, Andy made the jump up to the “Big” class in 2009 when he lined up alongside the likes of Ryan Farquhar and Keith Amor in the 701-1010cc class with some very impressive results, also making his debut at the Manx Grand Prix. With a season under his belt in the top class of Irish Road Racing, BikeRaceNews.com caught up with Andy to discuss how he felt last season went, how his preparation for the 2010 season has gone and what he hopes to achieve this year with his new bikes and a new class to compete in.
BikeRaceNews: Last season you made the jump up to the 701-1010cc class. How did you find it competing against the top names in Irish Road Racing and were you happy with how the season went?
Andy Farrell: Yes, I was delighted with how the season went, I couldn’t have asked for any better. It was a big step up, the competition was much tougher and it brought me on in every possible way. I was happy with my top ten results, especially in Faugheen and I had some great races, the one with Victor Gilmore in Athea was cracking. I enjoyed Skerries but there was a lot of pressure on me what with it being my home race but I loved every minute of it and thats why I’m here, purely for the love of it and no other reason.
BRN: Last year was also your first visit to the Manx Grand Prix. How did it go and did you enjoy the experience?
AF: I didn’t know what to expect going over but it’s an amazing circuit and the whole trip was a big eye opener. I had done countless laps of the circuit in a car, lots and lots of homework and double checked absolutely everything on the bikes before I set off. The circuit is a real bike breaker, we had problems with the 400 and one of its engines but I was happy with how I performed and the results I got. It was a lifetime achievement to race there and I’d love to go back over and do it again. Money permitting, I’ll be back again this season but the Manx is very costly for a privateer so we’ll just have to wait and see how it goes.
BRN: How has preparation gone for the 2010 season and what bikes will we see you on in your familiar orange and white colour scheme?
AF: There has been a lot of late nights, I’ve rarely been home before 12 midnight but it hasn’t been to bad at all. I lost the sponsor for my 600 just before Christmas and that was really disappointing but I’ve been able to borrow a Kawasaki ZX-6 off a friend for the season. So far we’ve just been stripping the bike and checking it over making sure it’s 100% before the off. I bought an ex-JMF Millsport R1 superbike, the one that Michael Dunlop rode last season too. I’m going to run a stock engine in it though as I have never ridden a full on superbike before and I feel the full power superbike engine might be too much for me. Hopefully I’ll get more used to the bike and the power as the season goes on and I might use the big engine for the Ulster Grand Prix.
BRN: What about the 400cc class that you competed in last season. Will you be taking part in that class again?
AF: I have rebuilt the ZXR 400 and I’m selling it to a mate. There was no proper competition in the class last year so I won’t be doing it again this year. I’m going to run a 650 in the Supertwin class instead. I’ve collected the bike, I believe it’s an ER-6 but I haven’t even ridden it yet and don’t know how competitive it’ll be. It should be fun riding in the class and that’s what it’s all about.
BRN: What are your aims for the season ahead?
AF: My main aim is to finish it with a pint in my hand and to be able to say “Jesus, that was fun!!” I finished 3rd in the Southern Centre Open, 600cc and 250cc classes last season and if I can repeat that, I’ll be delighted. Good lap times and few more replica’s in the Manx Grand Prix would be excellent too. All I really want is some good, happy racing and to come out of it all with a smile on my face.
BRN: What events do you hope to take in this year?
AF: I aim to do the Cookstown, Armoy, the Manx GP, all the southern rounds and possibly the Dundrod 150 but that will depend on money. I might do a couple of the Clubmans races for some track time too. I will be at the Cookstown rain, wind or shine though!
BRN: Finally, who do you think will be the main men to watch this season?
AF: I think Ryan Farquhar is the obvious one, he’s the man of the moment. Michael Dunlop made a name for himself last year and he’ll be right up there, as will Keith Amor. William can win on his day too. John Walsh could be up there with the bike he’s got this season, the big man’s (Martin Finnegan) R1 will be quick and it’ll be good to see Brian McCormack out there, he’s on good bikes and he’ll enjoy it.
Darren Healy: Andy Farrell is the kind of racer I greatly respect and truth be told, am extremely jealous of. He’s in it purely for the love of the sport and anything he gains from racing he sees as a bonus. As he said to me himself, “He’s just one of the lads having a bit of craic.” He’s living his dream of racing between the hedges and his attitude is one I both envy and admire. We here at BikeRaceNews.Com wish Andy the very best for the 2010 season and we hope it brings him the success his hard work deserves.
Follow Andy’s season on http://www.farrellyracing.com/
Photo Courtesy of Aidan Lynam
