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Belfast Telegraph
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Michael Dunlop lays down gauntlet by smashing qualifying record on return to Tandragee 100
The Isle of Man TT star is competing at the Co Armagh meeting at the invitation of personal sponsor Gerry Rice of Around A Pound – the title backers of the national road race. Dunlop smashed the qualifying record to put his MD Racing BMW on pole for Saturday's Open Superbike races. He also finished on the podium in third position in the non-championship Supersport race, despite starting from 17th position on the grid after running into a problem with his Ducati in qualifying. On his last appearance at Tandragee in 2013, Dunlop won both Superbike races by 26 seconds on the McAdoo/Hunts Honda Fireblade. Mike Browne from Cork won the four-lap Supersport race by half-a-second from Skerries man Michael Sweeney, with Dunlop 2.7s back in third on corrected time and clear of Conor Cummins (Burrows/RK Racing Ducati) in fourth. The Ballymoney ace set the fastest lap of the race on the Milwaukee Ducati at 107.445mph and will be fired up to reach the top step in today's Supersport encounter. Dunlop is on a high after winning four more races at the Isle of Man TT to extend his record to 33 victories. He broke his uncle Joey's famous 24-year-old record of 26 wins in 2024. Earlier this month it was announced that Dunlop would be made an MBE in recognition of his motorcycling success, following in the footsteps of Joey, who received an MBE in 1986 and an OBE 10 years later. Last year the 36-year-old stated that Irish national road racing 'was finished', but Dunlop said he was happy to lend his support to the Tandragee organisers. 'The TT will thrive regardless, the North West will thrive regardless (of whether national road racing continues) – that might be controversial,' Dunlop said. 'National road racing used to be the platform to go international road racing. 'Realistically, who is now winning international road races who is a national road racer? We're racing against BSB people now. 'That's who is at the front of the North West now, that's who wants to be riding at the front of the TT.' Dunlop, who started the road racing season with a double at the Cookstown 100 in April, said it was 'nice' to add his name to the Tandragee entry list. 'It's harder for the smaller races,' he said. 'But it's hard to say the people aren't supporting (road racing) any more when you see the amount of people at the North West and TT.' The popular road race, organised by the North Armagh Club, is taking place for the first time since 2022. Earlier, Dunlop recorded a new qualifying lap record on his 1000cc BMW Superstock machine with a speed of 107.97mph. His time of 2:58.174 was around 1.3 seconds quicker than Derek Sheils' record from 2018 (107.212mph). Dunlop secured pole for Saturday's Open and Tandragee 100 races by 2.8s from Sweeney (106.308mph) on the Martin Jones Racing BMW. Browne will line up in third on his 600cc Yamaha. The Irish rider was just under half-a-second down on Sweeney, lapping at 105.866mph. Ramsey rider Cummins was fourth quickest on the Burrows/RK Racing BMW (105.035mph). The top six was completed by Shaun Anderson on the Team Classic Suzuki and Manxman Marcus Simpson (WH Racing powered by Dynobike Honda). Fellow Isle of Man rider Joe Yeardsley was next riding an Aprilia for Trevor Scott, with the top eight rounded out by Ulsterman Neil Kernohan on his Kernohan Racing Yamaha R1. Browne topped the Supersport times at 106.148mph from Sweeney (104.516mph) and Darryl Tweed (104.246mph). Anderson was fourth fastest on his Suzuki ahead of Cummins. Sweeney claimed pole in the Supertwin class on his MSR Aprilia with a speed of 102.344mph, almost four seconds clear of Tweed (Novo Gen by FAO Racing Aprilia). Sweeney will be looking for more success in Saturday's Supertwin race after earning his maiden podium in the class at the North West 200 in May, when he finished as the runner-up in the second race behind Paul Jordan. Kernohan had a strong run on his Aprilia to qualify fourth behind Barry Furber on the DC Autos Yamaha. The Supertwin session was restarted following a red flag stoppage, which resulted in a delay to the evening schedule. Ten races are due to be held on Saturday, with roads closed this morning from 9:30am and reopening by 7pm. The first race for Supertwin/Supermono riders is scheduled to commence at 10am.
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Making Tandragee 100 return after long hiatus brings me back to my roots: Conor Cummins
Dunlop hasn't raced at Tandragee since 2013 when he was a runaway winner in both Superbike races. However, the 33-time TT winner is going back to his Irish road racing roots once more only weeks after making more history on the Isle of Man where he won four more races to underpin his status as the most successful competitor ever around the notorious Mountain Course. It has been a whirlwind June for the Ballymoney man, who was made an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours, following in the footsteps of his uncle Joey who was honoured with an MBE in 1986 before receiving an OBE 10 years later. Dunlop began the road racing season with a double at the Cookstown 100 in Co Tyrone in April where he won the Supersport and Superbike races and set a new absolute lap record around the 2.1-mile Orritor course. He continued in the same vein at the North West 200 in May, clinching a hat-trick with wins in the Superbike, Supersport and Superstock classes for his first victories on the north coast in eight years. It was the ideal preparation for the TT where Dunlop increased his record from 29 wins to 33 after another four-timer. He will be gunning for more success at Tandragee before returning to the Isle of Man in a few weeks to compete at the Southern 100. Dunlop is a heavy favourite at Tandragee in the Supersport and Open races. However, Ramsey man Cummins will be eager to put on a show for Ulster team Burrows Engineering/RK Racing. Cummins will ride a BMW M1000RR and a Ducati Panigale V2 Supersport machine. The 39-year-old has only raced at the event once before when he made his debut back in 2007. After parting company from the Padgetts Honda team in 2024, Cummins took the chance to race at Armoy on an FHO BMW. It was his first time at the Co Antrim race since 2013, but he enjoyed being back on the Irish roads and is now looking forward to another between-the-hedges fix at Tandragee. 'Whenever I did Armoy last year, I hadn't been to a national road race in donkeys, so whenever my circumstances changed, I said, 'Right, I need to go racing',' said Cummins. 'Thankfully, Bill (Kennedy) and all the club were fantastic to me, so I went and did it and I thought, 'I quite fancy doing more of this'. 'Over the winter, you get to hear of Tandragee and these other races being on, so it's back to the roots. 'It's nice from a sentimental angle to see Irish road races coming back and I've only been to Tandragee once before. 'Going back is quite a cool thing, and since there's been a total shift in my circumstances, I'm really thinking differently about other races and they're on my radar again after the TT.' Cummins' best result at the TT in June was fifth in the second Superstock race, with his 131.5mph lap the fastest ever by a rider for John Burrows' team. While Dunlop and Cummins are the two biggest names at Tandragee, southern Irishman Michael Sweeney could be the man to get closest to Dunlop. The multiple national road racing champion will be out to make his presence felt on his MJR BMW and Yamaha R6 machines and will line-up as the favourite in the Supertwin class after his maiden podium at the North West 200 on his Aprilia in May. Shaun Anderson from Banbridge is another leading light as he returns to his home road race. Roads will be closed on Friday from 11am-7pm for practice. Two races are planned, with a non-Championship Supersport and Senior Support race scheduled after practice. Roads close on Saturday at the earlier time of 9.30am for a 10-race programme and will open again by 7pm.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Jail for former Sats employee linked to corrupt arrangements involving over $18k
Leong Poh Keong was sentenced to one year, three months and three weeks' jail. PHOTO: ST FILE Jail for former Sats employee linked to corrupt arrangements involving over $18k SINGAPORE – A training, quality and projects executive at Sats Maintenance Centre was involved in corrupt arrangements worth more than $18,000 with multiple representatives of the company's vendors. Leong Poh Keong, who is no longer employed by Sats – a ground handler and in-flight caterer at Changi Airport – had disclosed confidential tender-related information to the representatives. This allowed Dominic Quek Chun Hua, Lim Ban Hock and Virgil Joy Angelus to access the pricing information of competitors, severely compromising the tender process. On June 26, Leong was sentenced to one year, three months and three weeks' jail. The 39-year-old Singaporean had pleaded guilty to two counts of graft involving more than $14,000, as well as one count each of cheating and obstructing the course of justice. Eight other charges, including graft-related ones linked to the remaining amount, were considered during his sentencing. The three vendor representatives were earlier dealt with in court. Although the case involved 'tainted contracts', Deputy Public Prosecutor Bryan Wong said there is no evidence that Sats suffered actual losses. Sats Maintenance Centre supported the company's ground support equipment section, which managed specialised vehicles on the airport tarmac. At the time of the offences, Leong's responsibilities included drafting bidding documents based on Sats' desired specifications for potential suppliers. He also acted as a liaison between potential bidders and the tender evaluation committee, which included members of the maintenance centre's management. Quek was then an operations manager at Tom's Tyre (TT), which had supplied tyres and rims to customers, including Sats. In January 2015, TT entered into a contract with Sats for the supply, delivery and fixing of new and existing tyres. In late 2019, Sats told TT, the incumbent supplier, and other firms that it was launching an open tender exercise for tyre-related services. The tender was for a contract period from Jan 1, 2020, to Dec 31, 2022, with an option for Sats to extend the contract by a further two years. Around mid-2020, Leong was engaged as the writer for the open tender, the court heard. In or around April that year, Leong approached Quek for a loan, citing 'health problems' of his child, who was living in Vietnam. Between April 2020 and January 2021, Quek handed Leong a total of $9,500 over three occasions. During this period, Leong told Quek that another tyre supplier had submitted a tender price that was about 20 per cent lower than TT's. Leong also said he was prepared to recommend TT for the award of the open tender, if the firm was willing to reduce its tender price by 20 per cent. However, investigations did not reveal if TT reduced its tender price. DPP Wong said that the open tender exercise was eventually closed in April 2021 after Sats discovered Leong's misconduct. The tender was not awarded to TT or any other prospective bidders. Meanwhile, Lim was a director at Env-Pro Tech Engineering and TK Engineering at the time of the offences. Env-Pro was involved in fabrication activities, while TK Engineering manufactured vehicle parts. On one occasion between 2019 and 2020, Leong asked Lim for a loan as his son had 'kidney failure and required dialysis treatment'. Leong later received a bribe of more than $4,000. In October 2020, Leong told Lim that Sats Maintenance Centre had an open tender exercise for repair services. He shared with Lim confidential information, including the price lists of the then incumbent contractor. TK Engineering clinched the job and signed a contract with Sats in January 2021. As for Virgil, he was involved in an unrelated case. At the time of the offences, he held directorships in businesses, including project management firm Elizabeth-Zion Aviation and Ports, and technological services company Elizabeth-Zion Technology. Between 2016 and 2017, Sats awarded Elizabeth-Zion Technology a project to build a driving simulator for employees. Between 2017 and 2018, Elizabeth-Zion Aviation and Ports was awarded a Sats contract to provide manpower for refuelling operations. Some time between 2019 and 2020, Leong approached Virgil for a corrupt loan of $1,000 , which the latter gave him. On or around Feb 19, 2021, Leong found out from a colleague that Sats wanted to terminate his employment contract, and that investigations by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau into his case would follow soon after. Leong then contacted Quek, Lim and Virgil and advised them to delete any incriminating text messages they had exchanged with him. On June 26, Leong's bail was set at $30,000. He is expected to begin serving his sentence on July 10. Shaffiq Alkhatib is The Straits Times' court correspondent, covering mainly criminal cases heard at the State Courts. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Vax shortage, closure of PHCs at noon leave city at risk of rabies
Chennai: The city, reeling under a surging stray dog population, is facing a rabies crisis. Yet, institutions intended to be the frontline against this deadly disease — primary health centres (PHCs) in the city and suburbs — are consistently inadequate. A TOI investigation uncovered shortages of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) and unjustified closure at noon citing fears of "wastage". Worse, none of the PHCs had rabies immunoglobulin, which provides immediate antibodies to neutralise the virus at the wound site, particularly in severe bites. Staff nurses at two of the nine PHCs surveyed – Virugambakkam and Maduravoyal – said they had no stock of ARV vaccine. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai "We can give a TT injection," a nurse at Virugambakkam PHC said. What she did not say was that Tetanus Toxoid is not a substitute for ARV and that the patient must take the vaccine at the next available centre as early as possible. Other PHCs at Perambur, Royapettah, T Nagar, Valasaravakkam, and Avadi turned away patients who reached the centres after noon. Almost all staff at these centres said the vaccination is done only between 9am and noon. The multi-dose vaccine vials should be discarded within up to six hours of opening, they said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรดทองCFDs กับโบรกเกอร์ที่เชื่อถือได้ | เรียนรู้เพิ่มเติม IC Markets สมัคร Undo Kundrathur was the only PHC where the vaccine was available throughout the day. Experts said PHCs that do not have the vaccine in stock must either offer them at people's doorstep through the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam scheme or take them to the nearest hospital where the vaccine is available. Anti-rabies vaccines are incredibly effective, but factors such as delays can make them redundant, said infectious diseases expert Dr Subramaniam Swaminathan. "When the staff offer Tetanus Toxoid or a less effective vaccine instead of directing the patients to the nearest facility, patients may assume it is not serious," he said. Studies by the directorate of public health also showed most people think dog bites cannot give them rabies, and some assume that bleeding injuries are safe as virus will wash off with the blood. "Many people skip vaccinations if they see the wound heal or if they don't see visible wounds, both of which are wrong. If there is a two-day delay, starting the vaccine with immunoglobulin may be effective," Dr Subramaniam added. However, none of the PHCs stock immunoglobulin. Senior officials in the health department, including director of public health Dr T S Selvavinayagam, said they have repeatedly asked people to get themselves vaccinated against rabies for all animal bites at the nearest PHCs. "All people infected by rabies in the state have either skipped vaccination or have not completed the course," he said. Earlier, health minister Ma Subramanian had told reporters that PHCs and CHCs (Community Health Centers) have also been instructed to maintain a round-the-clock supply of ARVs, with a minimum stock of 20 vials.
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Michael Dunlop to make Tandragee 100 return after more than a decade away
Dunlop hasn't raced at the event since 2013, when he won both Superbike races on a Honda Fireblade. The Ballymoney rider is on the crest of a wave after winning four more races at the TT to increase his tally to an unprecedented 33 victories around the Mountain Course earlier this month. Dunlop has also been honoured with an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours for services to motorcycling. He is entered in the Supersport and Superbike classes at Tandragee, which is being held for the first time since 2022. Confirming the news on Monday, a statement from the organisers said: 'Earlier this year, our overall sponsor, owner of Around A Pound, Gerry Rice — who has also been a personal sponsor of Michael's for many years, had agreed to negotiate with Michael once the TT was over. 'True to their word, both men met and agreed that Michael will compete on his Supersport Ducati and Superstock MD Racing machines at this year's Around A Pound Tandragee 100 event on Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28, 2025. 'The club are absolutely thrilled to have Michael return to the iconic Tandragee 100 course, one of the few remaining 'old school' circuits — especially after his record-breaking performance at the 2025 Isle of Man TT.' The need for crucial resurfacing work around the spectacular 5.3-mile course prevented the race from going ahead in 2023 and 2024 but those have now been completed and the 2025 edition of the race is all systems go. It may be over a decade since Dunlop last raced at Tandragee but there is no shadow of a doubt that he will take all the beating this weekend. His chief rivals for success when the action gets under way include the likes of Skerries man Michael Sweeney and Conor Cummins from the Isle of Man, who is spearheading the charge for silverware for John Burrows' team. Shaun Anderson, meanwhile, has also entered at his home road race where his machines include the Wiz Norton, which he will be jumping aboard in the Classic Superbike race. Practice and qualifying for the Tandragee 100 takes place on Friday (roads will be closed 11.00am to 9.00pm) with racing on Saturday, when roads will be closed from 9.30am until no later than 7.00pm.
