Skerries Circuit Info

In over 70 years of racing at Skerries, five circuits have been used for the annual Festival of Speed. From 1946 to 1963 the famous 7.1 mile lap which included the main streets of Skerries town was used. Spectator safety considerations resulted in a shorter circuit being introduced in 1964. At 6.56 miles this course bypassed the town and was used until 1968. For 1969 and 1970 an even shorter 4.33 mile course was used before the current 2.92 mile circuit was introduced in 1971. Races are run in an anti-clockwise (left-hand) direction.

Lap Record Holder
Michael Dunlop
Northern Ireland
110.373mph

Please remember that motor sport can be dangerous. You must obey any instructions given to you by event Officials or Marshals. Stay out of prohibited areas and behind barriers . Only walk in areas that are marked out as pathways. Always respect local land and home owners private property. Do not enter fields or gardens without permission. Always take all your rubbish home with you. Keep children under supervision. Do not wear brightly coloured 'HiVis' bibs or jackets around the course as these can distract the riders and do not wave flags or such things as umbrellas as they can be mistaken for important signals from the course Marshals. Anyone deemed to be behaving in an unsafe or disruptive manner will be removed from the circuit area.

The area between the Start/Finish line and the area adjacent to the Schoolhouse road junction provides some great views of the S/F straight and the VERY fast run into Finnegan's Corner. Many an overtaking manoeuvre is attempted here so it’s a great spot to watch the action. This is one of the busiest sections of the circuit and always a favourite with regulars to the event, so get there early to claim your spot. Spectator grandstand areas, wheelchair access platform, food vendor and toilet facilities are available.

Names after Local hero Martin Finnegan this A slow tight 90 degree left hander at the end of one of the fastest stretches on the circuit. Stand here and you’ll see some fantastic action. Riders jostling for position will leave braking as late as they can, sometimes running off and down towards the paddock. You’ll see some brave overtaking attempts here. A spectator view area has been added at the exit from Finnegan's which affords the spectator a view all the way to Joey's sweep and Plant's Farm. As they exit the corner there is a tricky left hand down hill corner which has a hidden dip waiting quietly to unseat the unsuspecting rider.

The run from Finnegan’s corner down to Dukes bends is a popular spot and gets very busy very early. You will have to be early to the circuit to get a good spot here; the crowds can really gather here.

Just before the popular Plant's Farm we have positioned a grandstand, your reward for getting a spot on this will be a fantastic view of the riders accelerating hard out of Finnegan's and travelling through Joey's and into Dukes Bends.

Named after the famous Geoff Duke ‘I feel the need, the need for speed’! Flat out and spectacular!!!!! Spectators need to keep behind the tape on the grassy banks as riders and their machines flash by at unbelievable speeds only inches away. Most importantly FEET UP or racing will be stopped, you must stand in this section ! This is a very popular spot and spaces on the banks go quickly. Everard's on the exit often have refreshments available during the day, keep an eye out for past winners in the garden as they enjoy a bit of hospitality and a great view.

This fast left-hander takes its name from the Castle on the top of the hill above. Lots of space here to watch some incredible action. One of the least visited corners on the circuit but it’s a real gem. Find a spot on the bank or Farmyard on the entry into this corner and you’ll see riders hard on the brakes as they set up for this fast sweeping left-hander. Another good spot here is on the inside of the corner where you get close to the riders you can see the determination on their faces as they concentrate on getting this corner perfect for the run into Glasshouses. Please stand in this section and obey the keep off the crops signs !

A challenging part of the circuit which requires a bit of moving around and gear shifting for the riders, a slight right hand entry is followed by an immediate left. Not many good spots to view here but if you can find a pitch then you’ll see riders working hard to achieve a couple of very fast directional changes. Try the inside of the corner for viewing. Watch for the prohibited area signs, please stand when the races are on..!

You want ‘heart in the mouth’ action then this is the place to be! Without a doubt one of the most spectacular airborne displays on any open road circuit anywhere. Riders gain their wings here.

A very popular viewing spot, again you need to get here early if you want to lay claim to a good view but be warned those of a nervous disposition should stay away from Gillies Leap! This year the grandstand has been extended which will enhance the view in this section, allowing spectators to see the run from Glasshouses to the top of the hairpin.

Christie's Farmhouse provides limited bike parking and refreshments throughout the day.

On the run to the hairpin, in 'Coleman Yard' there is a scaffolding site which shows the riders as they enter the quick section running down to the hairpin. Not a great deal of viewing space here. The Marshals at the Hairpin have a job keeping the run off areas clear of spectators who never seem to realise just how dangerous it can be to stand in the wrong place at a racing event. If you get one of the few safe places here you’ll have a great view of the riders trying to out brake each other into the tightest and slowest corner on the circuit. You’ll witness some of the biggest wheelies here as the riders grab a big handful of throttle on the way out.

Shady Lane leading into Sam’s Tunnel is where the riders engage warp drive and become a blur as they reach top speeds on the circuit. Races have been won and lost on this section. Due to the speeds on this part of the circuit this section is prohibited from the Hairpin to Ardla Road. The Marshals in this area are the toughest you’ll meet anywhere! There is lots of space around the Shady Lane – Ardla road junction and even a mini grandstand just on the exit of Sam’s tunnel which gives an excellent view of most of this section of the circuit.

Sam’s Leap named after multiple Skerries 100 Winner Sam McClements is a great place to watch as riders grapple to maintain control of their machines over the leap before braking hard for the temporary chicane half way round the long sweeping left hander which leads into the Start / Finish straight. The sprint to the finish line starts just outside the gates to the Hills Cricket Club where riders stand their bikes up and get back on the throttle as quickly as possible.

The Paddock at the Skerries 100 is always great craic! Here you’ll find all the riders, their machines and their support crews. Many of the riders are happy to chat with spectators and sign autographs whilst they are in the Paddock but please remember the riders are here to race and they do need some time to themselves between races!

You’ll also find a host of traders in the Paddock. Clinton Enterprises Ltd will be selling the official AXA Bikecare/Country Crest Skerries100 T-shirts and various team wear in Motorcycle racing, so do look out for race day bargains.

Each year we invite along a host of traders to set up in this area so make sure you pop along to check them out.

Food and Beverages will also be available from our catering team

We have an Adults and Kids play area and we hope to have different activities throughout the weekend.

Don’t forget to come at the end of the day, where we will be interviewing some of the riders at the podium followed by the race winners receiving their trophies after a hard days graft. Make sure you take some pictures as a memento of your racing weekend.