You may have heard of the glamorous and fast growing sport of stock car racing, but did you know that there is also a more humble and down-to-earth motorsport that is just as exciting – and sometimes even more so? That would be motorcycle racing, and Sion Speedway is one of the coolest places you can witness a bike race anytime, anywhere. Located in the beautiful island country of Ireland, the little racetrack hosts the Irish motorcycle Grand Prix every year. Not only does it host some of the most exciting races of the year, but the entire island of Ireland is a picturesque backdrop to the gruelling battle between man and machine that is a motorcycling grand prix.
How Does Sion Speedway Work?
Sion is located just south of Dublin in the Irish province of Leinster. It has a traditional Gaelic football field with an all-weather pitch and grandstands that accommodate up to 10,000 spectators. The circuit was formerly a racecourse for members of the British Army. After the army stopped using it for military purposes, the locals started turning it into a motorsport venue. The entire island of Ireland is a hotbed of motorsport activity, and Sion is just one of the many tracks that can be found there. The circuit holds motorcycle races throughout the year, but the biggest event is the Irish Grand Prix. The island’s biggest and best event in the world of motor racing is held annually in August. It takes place over a single weekend, with three or four races happening on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. The entire island of Ireland is in a state of excitement as the season draws closer.
The History Of Sion Speedway
The Guinness Family, a famous Irish brewing dynasty, owns the property on which Sion Speedway stands. The company bought the land rights to the track in 1926, and it has been a part of their family ever since. The first motorcycle race to be held there was the Irish Coast to Coast Race, a long-distance race that took place around Ireland in April. The second-biggest motorcycle race in the world is the Isle of Man TT Races, which take place on the outskirts of Dublin every year in the latter half of the year. Some of the biggest names in the history of motorsport have visited Sion over the years, including Moto GP legends such as Wayne Rainey and Duke Nalon. One of the most famous attendees was probably Bill Cosby, who watched a race there in 1971 and had a laugh at the antics of the racers. The track was also the setting of the 1965 movie, ‘’Thunderball’’, which starred Roger Moore and Elizabeth Taylor. The track has been host to many historical events, including a wedding, birthdays and funerals. The whole place is a time capsule of racing nostalgia.
The Layout Of Sion Speedway
The track is an oval, which makes it a little easier for the riders to control their speed. There are no straightaways at Sion – quite the opposite, in fact. The longest straight on the track is 3.9 miles long, and the corner with the most hairpins is named after Michael Heron, a multi-millionaire and the founder of Cannon Foods. He was also a prominent benefactor of the local youth sports centre. The track is surrounded by beautiful, well-manicured lawns and flowerbeds. There is a clubhouse with a restaurant, bar and grandstands that hold around 10,000 spectators. You will also find a paddock area with parking for all the participants, their guests and the media. Access to the paddock is restricted during the races, but members of the public can attend practice sessions and other official events as ‘invited guests’. There are seven entrances to the track, labelled A to G, with the lights controlling the entry to the circuit. The track is lit up around the clock, with flags marking the position of the grandstands. The organisers of the races put in a lot of effort to make sure the entire island is aware of the upcoming event. The community comes together to support the local heroes, and many shops, clubs and businesses close down for the duration of the races. The entire island is a buzzing hub of activity as the week of the Grand Prix approaches.
The Atmosphere At Sion Speedway
With its stunning green hills, soft, yet paddy fields and crystalline lakes, Ireland is one of the most beautiful countries you can visit. Sion is located in a valley, with whitewashed houses and cobbled streets. There is a bustling, friendly atmosphere around the track, with lots of people milling around and enjoying the sunshine. The entire island of Ireland is surrounded by hills and lakes, which means plenty of opportunities for the residents to go for walks, ride bikes and enjoy the countryside. Travellers have been known to spend the night in the nearby forest and ride into Dublin in the morning to catch the bus to work.
Sion is an oasis of tranquillity, and it is a great place to hang out for the entire week leading up to the Grand Prix. The crowds coming to support the local heroes are of a different breed to the usual Friday and Saturday night spectators – they are often families with children, students and older generations. The track is also a sanctuary for wildlife – during the week leading up to the Irish Grand Prix, you will often spot deer roaming the track and nearby woods. The island’s most famous mammal is the elephant seal, which can be found along the coastline in great numbers. However, they are often a bit tricky to spot, as they blend in perfectly with the rocks and sand dunes.
What Is The Grand Prix?
As mentioned, the biggest event on the calendar at Sion is the Irish Grand Prix. This is one of the four monuments that make up the Historic Grand Prix Trail, a collection of historic motorsport venues across Ireland. The Grand Prix is a motorcyclist’s dream – it has everything they could want, including great views of the countryside, thunderous rock music and intense competition. The entire island of Ireland is in a state of excitement as the week of the Grand Prix approaches. The locals are proud to host the world’s biggest riders every year, and they would love for the grand touring bikes to return to Sion for another dose of excitement.
The entire island is abuzz with activity as the week of the Grand Prix approaches. On Thursday night, a parade forms in front of the Leinster Courthouse and it is led by members of the Orange Order, the Catholic Church and the British Army. This marks the start of the annual carnival, which features street performers, bands, jugglers, comedians and fortune tellers. There are also food stalls and amusement rides for the kids. The Grand Prix is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the entire year for motorcyclists and car enthusiasts. The excitement builds as the week draws closer, and on the day of the event, there will be flag-waving, marching, parades and thunderous fireworks displays. The weekend will draw to a close with a bang – at least, that is what the locals would like to believe…