The Tandragee 100 is a motorcycle race that occurs on the public roads which connect Tandragee and Markethill, near the village of Clare, in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. Spanning 5.3 miles, it is sometimes referred to by its organisers as the 'Mini TT'.
History The first race of the North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club (abbreviated to 'North Armagh MC & CC') was held on Saturday 19 April 1958 over a distance of 100 miles – hence the number in the name. For safety and organisational reasons and because of the increased performance of the participating motorcycles, the distance was repeatedly reduced. In the meantime, depending on the racing class, only four to seven laps are driven on a track, so that a race lasts an average of a quarter of an hour. It is one of the first races of the Irish road racing season. According to organisers, the race attracts about 120 drivers and up to 12,000 spectators.
While typically held annually, the Tandragee 100 was not held in 1972 and 2001. The race was again cancelled in 2010 due to the "economic climate and circumstances beyond [the organiser's] control". The race also did not take place during 2020 or 2021 due to COVID-19. It was also cancelled in 2023 (due to insurance costs) and again in 2024 (due to the condition of the road surface). The 2025 event, the first since 2022, was won by Michael Dunlop who set a course record (of 111.58mph) on his final circuit.
Participants The Tandragee 100 has previously played host to a number of notable road racers. These have included: Guy Martin, Joey Dunlop, Ryan Farquhar, Philip McCallen and Michael Dunlop.
Winners record
Riders Wins Participation Ryan Farquhar 19 1995–2016 Joey Dunlop 18 1971–2000 Brian Reid 14 1980–1994 Michael Dunlop 12 2006–2025 Ray McCullough 10 1971–1982 Phillip McCallen 9 1988–1999 Sam McClements 8 1981–1989 William Dunlop 8 2008–2016 Robert Dunlop 7 1985–2006
Fatalities at the event
Martin Finnegan, from County Dublin, was killed following a crash at the course in 2008. Several other riders died, following accidents on the course, at the 2007, 2014, 2017, and 2026 events. A memorial garden, to the riders and spectators who died during the annual event, was submitted for planning assessment in late 2019.
Rider Year Bob Thompson 1961 Michael Shanahan 1977 Rab Duncan 1990 Oral Watson 1992 Daniel Humphreys 1996 Maurice Wilson 2004 John Donnan 2007 Martin Finnegan 2008 Noel Murphy 2014 Dario Cecconi 2017James Walsh2026
References
External links