Herbertson grabs double pole at the Armoy Race of Legends

In the junior classic qualifying 350 cc session today at  Armoy's Race of Legends it was Dominic Herbertson who lapped fastest. It was the popular Englishman's first time racing the Davies Motorsport 350 Honda on Irish roads, but that didn't hold him back, local expectation was it would take him a few laps to get his eye in, but that wasn't the case. He flew out of the blocks and posted 2 mins 12.7 on lap 2, he backed of a bit on lap 3 then posted his best of the session, fourth time around with a 2 min 12.098. Second quickest was local rider Barry Davidson with a best of 2.13.4  posted on lap 3. Ed Manly notched up 2.14.1 and will start tomorrows race from third on the grid. Davidson know's the Armoy circuit like the back of his hand and will definitely pile the pressure on come race day.

In the 250 cc qualifying it was Richard Ford who took pole with a best of 2 mins 17.7 on the Bob Jackson bike, Brian Mateer was second quickest with Phil Shaw third. The top 3 are all two stroke Suzuki riders and are capable of mixing it at the front, on the road with the 350 class during the race.

Later in the day Herbertson again proved fastest in the unlimited class when he posted 2 mins 6.6 seconds on the Davies Honda 500-4, a full 3 seconds quicker than Ford on a Norton. Ben Rea was third on another Honda 500-4 with Welshman Mark Purslow rounding out the top 4

Herbertson Davies Honda 500-4

In the 500 cc qualifying Barry Davidson was the man to beat with 2.09, John Leigh Pemberton is second on a Norton, Ed Manly is third fastest on the G50. The grids are some of the strongest we have seen all year and tomorrows races should be thrillers for classic fans.

Photos UK Club Sport and Graham Picksley

Words Gavan Duffy