The 2019 fonaCAB Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week will be packed with racing excitement and family fun on August 3-10.
The action will begin with a special attempt at setting a new world record on Saturday, August 3 with the most different makes of motorcycle in a parade lap. The current mark stands at 31 set in Peru in 2013.
“Motorbikes are extremely popular in Northern Ireland so it is our hope that we can break the record this year.” the UGP’s marketing co-ordinator, Geoff Wilson, said.
“We have been working with Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council to organise this event and we would urge people to come out and support us during the attempt.”
The event will start at 10am at the Ulster Aviation Society at the Maze and finish at Market Square in Lisburn. The bikes involved in the attempt will be on display at Market Square from 11am for one hour.
Those interested in taking part in this unique world record attempt should email geoff@ulstergrandprix.net stating their full name and manufacturer of their motorcycle.
The Dundrod circuit will be the venue for a sponsored walk on Sunday August 4 to raise funds for the Injured Riders Welfare Fund, leaving the UGP paddock at 12 noon. A quiz night in aid of this worthy cause will also take place in the paddock marquee at Dundrod at 7pm on Tuesday evening.
A church service will take place in the paddock marquee at 3.30pm on Sunday.
The first of three “Meet the Riders of the UGP’ will take place on Monday, August 5 at 1pm in Antrim’s Castle Mall shopping centre. You can also meet your favourite riders at similar events on Friday August 9 at the Circle K, Airport road Service Station, Nutt’s Corner at 11am and in the Whitemountain Centra store at 2pm.
The Lisburn and Dromara areas will host two special two wheeled events on August 5 and 6.
The Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council vintage rally will leave Lisburn’s Island Centre at 7pm on Monday evening on the traditional run to the UGP Paddock.
Dundrod will also be the destination for the annual Dromara Destroyers Ride out the following evening, August 6. Everyone taking part is invited to meet in the Co Down village where the new statues of the famous racing quartet Ian McGregor, Ray McCullough, Trevor Steele and Brian Reid are now on display at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
Over 230 road riders took part in last year’s ride out and the organisers hope to reach the 250 mark this time around.
A line-up of the road racing stars of the current UGP will take place in a special chat show in the paddock marquee after the opening practice session at 9pm on Wednesday August 7.
The annual Ulster Classic Motorcycle Club will run their annual charity grasstrack meeting at the Fort road, Dundrod on Friday August 9 from 5pm with trials bike demonstrations in the paddock on Monday and Friday evenings.
This year’s Ulster Grand Prix will also play host to two special conferences aimed at raising the profile of motorcycle sport.
The first of these will be hosted by the Chartered Institute of Marketing at 7.30am in the paddock marquee on Tuesday August 6.
The conference will focus on ways to grow your business to appeal to visitors whilst providing great service and attracting new customers.
This early morning event will see a panel of expert speakers share their experiences in this area, followed by a Q&A session.
This event is free to attend with breakfast butty and drink refreshments provided.
The ‘Transformative Power of Sport’ conference, will be hosted by the UGP, Department of Justice, Department for Communities and PSNI in the same venue at 9am on Friday, August 9.
“This is an exciting conference which will highlight a number of exceptional projects that have used sport as the platform to engage with a local community.” Geoff Wilson said.
“The conference is open to everyone but we are very keen to see delegates who want to use sport as a platform for good.”
With live music in the marquee and the traditional paddock walkabout on Friday before Saturday’s main day of racing action there will be something for everyone at this year’s Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week. Please check the www.ulstergrandprix.net website for further details.
