The 2016 MCE Insurance Ulster Grand Prix will surely give race fans something to talk about over the winter months as we wait for the start of the 2017 road racing season.
After a few trying days with the weather being my biggest challenge, lady luck was on our side on Saturday with dry roads all day.
One of the highlights of the week for me were some very impressive newcomers including Daniel Hegarty, David Jackson, Dominic Herbertson, Graham Kennedy, Mike Booth, James Tadman, Sam West and James Kelly. I have no doubt that these guys will be stars of the future on the road racing scene. It was David Jackson’s first ever road race and he lapped Dundrod at nearly 126mph, we certainly haven’t heard the last of him!
Our new lap record of 134.089mph set by Hutchy makes him the fastest road racer in the world and moves the bar that bit higher. With his four hard fought wins he was given a trophy very close to me, the Darran Lindsay Man of the Meeting award.
It was a very emotional return to Dundrod for Phil Armes who suffered a spinal injury there in 1995, which has confined him to a wheelchair ever since but with a special adapted bike he was able to complete that lap he started 21 years ago. Phil is a great inspiration, and I am delighted I could make this happen for him.
I have received very favourable feedback from the race fans regarding Superpole, I was pleased with the outcome.
The racing was second to none in all classes and I can’t wait to sit down and watch the TV coverage on this week (last night and tonight at 9pm, BBC2 NI), it will make great viewing.
At this stage all that is left to say is a big thank you to all the people that helped make it happen and a speedy recovery to David Johnson and John Walsh.