I am really pleased that the new Enniskillen 100 road races went well and without incident last weekend. Hopefully this will be a much needed boost to the national road racing scene as I believe they are always the breeding ground for our international events.
We took the decision last year to replace the Dundrod 150 races and since then it has been all go putting the new look race format into place. The Dundrod replacement will be part of the MCE UGP racing and kicks off after practice. First up is a six lap Supersport race followed by the Ultralightweight/Lightweight, then the Supertwins and concluding with a six lap Superbike race.
For Saturday race day, the roads will close at 9.30am for a seven race programme. It will be starting off with a 20 minute warm up session for Supersport, Superstock and Superbike machines. Although, our Superpole was very popular with the riders and race fans alike, I have taken the decision that a 20 minute warm up session is much more beneficial to the riders. Firstly, so they can experience current track conditions and secondly so they can get dialled in before the mass start down the flying kilo.
So with an 11 race programme over bikeweek could we possibly have 11 different winners or could one rider be winning all seven?! One thing’s for sure, and i’ve said it before, if you win a race around Dundrod you’ve earned it.
The Darran Lindsay memorial trophy awarded to the man of the meeting will now be decided over the two days as opposed to the Saturday only.
I am pleased to say that BBC Radio Ulster have just confirmed live coverage of the 4 race schedule on Thursday. With this in mind, alongside an increased prize fund and a few other exciting plans to be announced, it sure will make Thursday another epic day of racing for all you fans.