International road race the
Ulster Grand Prix is on track for August 2008 with
last year’s title sponsor the Belfast Telegraph
set to once again back the event with a combined support
package of cash, editorial and in-paper promotional
support. Belfast Telegraph Ulster Grand Prix Bike
Week is set to take place this summer at the Dundrod
circuit from 11th – 16th August with the main
Race Day events scheduled for Saturday 16th August.
The event, which dates back to 1922,
making it Ireland’s oldest road race, is organised
by the Dundrod & District Motor Cycle Club and
is currently in the process of signing up riders and
aims to have a similar line-up to last year’s
rain swept but exciting competition.
Pic : Stephen Davison - Pacemaker
Press International
Organisers are hoping to welcome
back event record holders John McGuinness who last
year set a lap record of 131.7 mph in the Dundrod
150 Superbike event whilst Yorkshireman Ian Hutchinson
set the fastest ever UGP lap record in 2006 achieving
130.8 mph in the UGP Superbike Race. However despite
their records Guy Martin went on to win both races!
Indeed the 2007 Dundrod 150 Superbike Race achieved
a top accolade by being voted 2007 Race of the Year
by visitors to website RealRoadRacing.Com
Guests of honour at Wednesday's press
conference included racing stars Relentess Suzuki
by TAS rider Cameron Donald and local heroes Ryan
Farquhar, Adrian Archibald and William Dunlop.
Said Clerk of Course Noel Johnston,
“Once again Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week will
feature an 11 race programme with five races running
on Thursday night’s Dundrod 150 event whilst
Saturday’s Race Day will profile six races culminating
in the Belfast Telegraph Superbike Race. And of course
we’re hoping the weather will be kinder to us
in 2008!”
“The Dundrod Club is delighted
to again welcome the Belfast Telegraph as the sponsor
of this year’s Ulster Grand Prix. The Telegraph’s
financial support is vital to maintaining and developing
the event and we believe the paper’s high profile
will benefit the UGP in terms of additional spectators
and competitors.”
The 2008 event will be enhanced by
the news earlier this year that the UGP 125cc race
will have full Grand Prix status.
The Dundrod Club have also planned
or already implemented a number of course improvements
in preparation for the summer. The section from Flobog
Crossroads to the Start/Finish area will be resurfaced
whilst the area through Jordan’s Crossroads
has been opened up with hedges and trees removed,
resulting in improved safety for competitors and enhanced
vantage points for spectators.
Lisburn City Council will once again
play a key role in supporting the UGP and Lisburn
Mayor Cllr James Tinsley said: “Lisburn
City Council is once again delighted to support the
Ulster Grand Prix, and it is great to see a number
of top riders already gearing up for success. The
Council has again agreed to provide financial assistance
as well as technical assistance to help ensure the
continuing success of the event. The Ulster Grand
Prix is a flagship event in the City of Lisburn and
with even more improvements round the circuit this
year, I know we can all look forward to some thrilling
road racing at Dundrod in August.”
Pic : Stephen Davison - Pacemaker Press
International
Belfast Telegraph sports editor Steven
Beacom said the company was very pleased to lend its
support to one of Northern Ireland’s top sporting
events. “A signature event in Northern Ireland’s
summer sporting calendar, the Ulster Grand Prix attracts
thousands of visitors during Bike Week, and we believe
that it’s crucial that an event of this stature
should be enhanced and developed. We are delighted
to continue to support the Ulster Grand Prix and aim
to generate in depth coverage in the lead up to and
during the UGP this August. We look forward to a safe
and exciting event and to welcoming riders, teams
and spectators from all over the world.”
BBC Sport Northern Ireland will once
again provide extensive coverage on television, radio,
BBC Online and Ceefax.
[ view
more photos from the press launch ]
