Bike Road Racing Series: Ulster Grand Prix

There is another race for the Bike Road Racing Series, fans.  Never fear, the Ulster Grand Prix is here!  This is round four of the championship.

This race has been around for 90 years, first run in 1922.  Between 1949 and 1971, it was an event within the World Championship for motorcycles (the FIM).  In the 1970s and '80s, it became a part of the World Championship with what was known as the TT Formula One series.  The track to be raced on in Northern Ireland is called the Dundrod circuit.  This is the fastest road racing track in the world with a sustained average speed of over 130 miles an hour.  Here are the names of all the corners and checkpoints on the circuit.  They include (from the start/finish line), The Flying Kilo (for kilometer), Leathemstown, Deers Leap, Ireland's corner, Wheelers Corner, Lindsay Hairpin, The Quarries, and finally, Dawson's Bend.

This track is slightly shorter at almost seven and a half miles.  It's between the distances of Cookstown, the North West 200, and of course, the previous round on the Isle of Man.  Some of the top riders expected to do well in this race are William Dunlop, Michael Dunlop, Jamie Hamilton, Bruce Anstey, Gary Johnson, Conor Cummins, Guy Martin, and Ryan Farquhar.  These names should all be familiar by now for those who follow this blog and read the posts on Bike Road Racing.

The first race of the weekend is the Lisburn City Council Super Stock race.

At the start, both Guy Martin and Bruce Anstey get the jump on the rest of the field.  As Michael Dunlop is seemingly going backwards, Ian Lougher is charging to the front.  Lee Johnston also gets a good start.  The second wave of bikes starts.  Dean Harrison loses two places going through The Flying Kilo.  Ian Lougher pulls out of the draft, trying to get by Guy Martin.  Lougher takes over the race lead.  Cummins runs ahead of Michael Dunlop as the pictures switch between the various bikes with on board cameras.  Bruce Anstey runs behind Conor Cummins in third place as the field is packed tightly together.

The bikes run through the back part of this track in the dry, warm weather that has graced the day for this event/.  The bikes fly through Ireland's corner.  A corner on this very course has been named for Ian Lougher.  People have said Lougher should retire.  But, not with the performance he's putting up in this race so far.  This track has many sweeping, wide corners on it, and the riders really enjoy that aspect of the circuit.  After Wheeler's corner, there's another hair raising bend.  It might have been unnamed in the corner's list above.  Will have to figure out the name.  But, it's impressive.

Anstey had to stand up coming out of the Lindsay hairpin which means Martin and Lougher are able to close up.  It's been a while since Ian Lougher has led an international motorcycle road race.  Lougher leads, 6/10ths quicker than Guy Martin in second.  Lee Johnston is staying with the leaders on his Ducati.  Anstey is really going for it.  Guy Martin passes Ian Lougher for the lead of the race.  Lougher really wants to pass Martin.  He's tempted.  But he knows the road isn't wide enough to make a pass at these speeds.  Michael Dunlop loses the fairing on his bike and just throws it away.  So, there's debris on course, causing a local yellow flag in one of the corners.

Martin, Lougher and Anstey continue to scrap for the top three.  Michael Dunlop is closing.  Dunlop wants to have a go into what is basically, a one line corner.  Dunlop successfully passes Bruce Anstey.  This race is not quite half over.  Ian Lougher continues his charge.  Lougher is going after Guy Martin, but, he doesn't know that Michael Dunlop is right alongside of him!  This could get ugly, quick.  No.  Actually, Lougher moves over and takes the line back.  Conor Cummins and Lee Johnston are in their own battle for fifth spot while the lead scrap is now boiling.

Lee Johnston wiggles through the Lindsay hairpin.  Dunlop passes Lougher but will have to wait to try on Martin.  Dunlop flies past Guy Martin on The Flying Kilo.  William Dunlop is out of this event.  There are six races scheduled.  But, a rider can only participate in five of those six.  Guy Martin is forced to yield to Ian Lougher.  Lougher will come first to the top at Deers Leap.  The question now is, can Michael Dunlop break free from everyone else?  Bruce Anstey hasn't raced for a while.  It seems that the riders are going a bit easier through the Lindsay hairpin now than at the start of the race.

Lougher has to stay right with Michael Dunlop as the bikes approach Leathemstown.  The Johnston/Cummins battle over fifth still rages, too.  Lougher is taking straight lines into the corner while Dunlop weaves and uses more road.  Lougher is determined to pass Dunlop.  Ian Lougher has the most wins at this track besides the late, great, Joey Dunlop.  One lap remains in this first race.  Dunlop leads Lougher by 1.6 seconds.  Lougher has to make up one second and pass Michael Dunlop.  The saying in racing goes, catching is one thing, passing is another.

Cummins continues to chase Johnston.  The battle is on for second through to fourth into Wheeler's.  Anstey tries passing Martin in the hairpin.  Martin says, "uh, uh" and shuts the door.  Michael Dunlop wins the first race of the day.

#9 Michael Dunlop     Kawasaki

Next on the program is race one for the AER Lingus UGP Supersport division.

Before this race even starts, Gary Johnson runs into issues with his bike.  He was to have started on the front row.  But, bike #70 has mechanical woes.  At the start of this one, it's Bruce Anstey away first and William Dunlop also flies off the line.  The bikes are still stacked up, riding onboard with Adrian Archibald into The Flying Kilo.  Lee Johnston is in contention with Michael Dunlop also in fifth.  The second wave prepares to get the green light.  Paul Owen on bike #98 leads that group.

The bikes snake their way into Leathemstown for the first time in this race.  Dunlop leads over Anstey.  Johnston is already up to fourth on lap one as these riders put the 600cc Supersport machines through their paces.  Conor Cummins is now up to third place.  Guy Martin got a really bad start in this race as there's another battle ensuing.  Anstey is right with William Dunlop through the hairpin.  Ollie Lindstrom has been battling Adrian Archibald and Lindstrom makes a successful pass.  At the start of lap two, Anstey is positioning himself for a run down The Kilo.

Anstey was slightly behind Dunlop through Dawson's.  But he recovers quickly.  William Dunlop undoubtedly has the fastest bike of anyone in the 600 Supersport division.  Dunlop and Anstey are checking out on the rest of this field.  The bikes really come close together in a section called Jordan's Cross.  Anstey really needs to let Dunlop know he's there by the time they get to Lindsay hairpin.  Lee Johnston still holds third.  But, it's a war between Dunlop and Anstey.  Anstey is still not close enough into Rock Bends.  But now, on the straight bit of road, Anstey might have a shot at Dumlop.

Adrian Archibald was off on the grass and fortunately recovered.  Archibald either missed a gear, hit neutral, or pulled on the clutch.  Meanwhile, will Anstey have enough speed to draft by Dunlop on the uphill?  No.  That move won't work.  Guy Martin closes on the two way battle between Lee Johnston and Conor Cummins.  But Johnston has other plans.  He wants by Cummins.  Johnston makes the pass.  Michael Pearson is thrown from his bike.  This is a huge high side.  With this crash, the race is red flagged.

This race is over.  William Dunlop wins it.  The first of two 600 Supersport races is in the books.

#6 William Dunlop     Honda

Up next, it's the first race for the Superbikes presented by McKinstry Skip Hire.  Guy Martin has not beaten Michael Dunlop in this class since the season opener at Cookstown.

At the start of this one, Guy Martin takes the lead over Ryan Farquhar.  Michael Dunlop is slicing his way through this field like a hot knife through butter, trying to get to Guy Martin.  Another single file conga line of bikes as this race starts.  Bruce Anstey runs behind Michael Dunlop with Gary Johnson also close by.  Ryan Farquhar challenges Guy Martin as John Burrows threads his way through the pack on his Suzuki.  Johnson looks to pass Ryan Farquhar and does it.

Farquhar is back on his Superbike after running a Superstock motorcycle last time out at the Isle of Man.  Anstey battles Dunlop.  Dunlop is now in a podium spot, in third.  John Burrows is off pace in this race while Guy Martin continues on his merry way in the lead.  Gary Johnson, though, is right on Martin's rear tire.  Gary Johnson actually passes Guy Martin for the lead of this motorcycle race.  Bruce Anstey also makes a pass on Ryan Farquhar.  Johnson is gapping Martin now.  At the end of lap one, Anstey passes Farquhar.

More importantly, it's that lead battle still simmering between Martin and Johnson.  Martin fends off Johnson's challenge, keeping the lead.  William Dunlop, meanwhile, is out of this race, slowing his bike down.  Michael Dunlop, meanwhile is within striking distance of Gary Johnson.  Dunlop is struggling, but he says that he's more comfortable on the bigger Superbike (1000ccs) as opposed to the Supersport (600ccs).  Dunlop moves past Johnson into second spot now.  Bruce Anstey trails Conor Cummins further down the field.

The riders make their way through the sequence of corners at Cochran's Town, Quarterlands, and Irelands.  Dunlop is right on Martin once again.  It's harder for a rider to steer a bike with the movement of their seat compared to the smaller displacement ones.  On The Kilo, once again, Michael Dunlop slides by Guy Martin.  This is what Dunlop wanted.  Can he open a gap?  Martin tries coming back at Dunlop through Deer's Leap.  Gary Johnson and Bruce Anstey seemed to have lost touch with the top two.  Martin passes Dunlop.  No.  Dunlop comes back through the slipstream.

The two bikes touch, fortunately, no one falls down!  Dunlop comes back.  Into Wheelers, Martin is having none of it.  He slides back past Dunlop another time!  Dunlop pushes too hard!  He ditches the bike under braking!  With Dunlop's demise, this opens the door for Conor Cummins and Bruce Anstey who are in a battle of their own.  Michael Dunlop remounts his bike and continues.  He was injured before this race and has other races to compete in.  So, he could have hurt himself more than he anticipated.

But, Guy Martin isn't worried.  He wins it!

#7 Guy Martin     Suzuki

Now, onto the second half of the day of racing.

Coming up, it's the Maxwell Freight Services Supertwins race.

The road is dry.  Jamie Hamilton has pole.  Ryan Farquhar and Jamie Hamilton are 1-2 at the start.  Hamilton is flying already, sailing past Ryan Farquhar.  Now, there's a race within a race here.  The Wash 'N' Dash 250cc race will be run at the very same time as the Supertwins.  Kevin Stroger and Davy Morgan are leading this field.  The top two 250cc riders touch!  Whoa!  There aren't that many 250cc bikes on the grid.  But, it's going to be a competitive race for this class.

Hamilton passes for the lead coming to Deer's Leap.  Now, there's a sign at Deer's Leap that says, ten percent.  Not sure what that means, though.  It can't be ten percent throttle.  These guys are flying through Cochranstown.  Adrian Archibald has Ryan Kneen all over him, further down the pack.  Russ Malford is also in this pack with Archibald and Kneen.  Paul Robinson and Davy Morgan are scrapping for the 250cc lead.  Seamus Elliott is also up there.  Kneen and Archibald are being follow closely by Ivan Linton.  This is a very close race for both classes being combined.

Mountford, Linton and Archibald are all right together.  Seamus Elliott leads the 250s.  Jamie Hamilton is second with a four way battle for third led by Russ Mountford.  Archibald passes Mountford.  Farquhar leads as the bikes approach Leathemstown.  Robinson and Morgan still dice for 250cc honors.  Intriguing to follow two races in one.  Kneen and Mountford pass Adrian Archibald.  Ivan Linton is up at the sharp end, too.  Kneen leads Osborne.  Mountford flies by Archibald.  Ivan Linton gets by Adrian Archibald.

Mountford, Linton, and Kneen are nose to tail.  The combined Supertwins and 250cc race is on it's last lap.  Who will win?  It's the last lap of the event.  Kneen, Mountford, Linton, and Archibald are fighting for the win here.  Paul Owen slows on his 250cc bike.  Ivan Linton comes from back to front.  These riders are taking every chance, sliding precariously between one another!  Wow!  The battle for third continues to rage.  This is good stuff!

Linton is passed by Archibald.  Meanwhile, Ryan Farquhar is checking out.  Farquhar has won 199 of these tourist trophy races across the classes!  Wow!  This will be win number 200!  Ivan Linton has passed Adrian Archibald for good.  Linton's luck isn't turning in the right direction, though.  He's fallen behind once again.  Mountford has flown by Archibald in the hairpin.  But, this race is over.  Ryan Farquhar wins it, with Jamie Hamilton second.

Red flags are displayed right before the end of the race.  Davey Morgan gets top honors in the 250cc class and the fans salute him since he's a local rider.

#77 Ryan Farquhar     Kawasaki

This is win number 199 for Farquhar at one of these Tourist Trophy events.  He's knocking on the door for number 200.  In the 250cc class (as their demise could be coming), it's Davy Morgan, winning.

#7 Davy Morgan      Honda

Up next, it's race two for the Super Sport class.

Gary Johnson gets the hole shot on the Padgett's Honda.  Dan Kneen is also coming as the bikes fan out six or seven abreast down the straightaway!  Holy smokes!  Conor Cummins and Bruce Anstey both start this race well.  Gary Johnson passes Dan Kneen.  Rider Dan Cooper is now leading the race.  He's an unknown name, but might not be that way for long.  Anstey and Lee Johnston are up in this fight, too.  This 600cc race is exciting right from the green light!

Gary Johnson and Conor Cummins battle for fourth.  Gary Johnson takes over the lead from Dan Cooper.  Johnson gets the lead, going around Bruce Anstey.  They are team mates in this division.  Johnson's bike is smoking every now and again.  Not sure why.  It's essentially a brand new motorcycle.  Anstey is flying and William Dunlop might have a say in this.  Anstey takes over the lead and then, immediately, it's seized by William Dunlop.  Uh oh.  There's a red flag, just as this race was heating up.  There's nothing serious going on.  The race will restart.

The race will now be only five laps.  Everybody wants the lead.  Lee Johnston, Gary Johnson, Ian Lougher, and a whole bunch more.  Michael Dunlop is up there.  Guy Martin is coming to the fore.  Gary Johnson passes for fourth spot.  Dunlop, Anstey and Cummins, are 1-2-3, headed for Deers Leap.  They come back through Cochranestown.  Anstey is going very well on a 600cc machine as he's also got experience on Superbikes, and 1000cc Super Stock motorcycles.  Lee Johnston is about to be eaten up by Michael Dunlop.

It's the final lap of this second 600 Super Sport race.  Oh.  It looks like Dunlop will pass, and bring Bruce Anstey with him.  They both zoomed around a lapped bike.  Bruce Anstey closes up on William Dunlop.  These two are going at it in Jordan's Cross.  Wow!  Anstey slides around Dunlop into a u curve.  This will be nail biter.  Anstey and Dunlop side-by-side!  Anstey takes the lead up to Dawson's and there aren't other passing opportunities before the finish line.  Does Anstey have the 600 Supersport race in the bag?  Despite running wide, yes.  Anstey wins it!

#5 Bruce Anstey     Honda

Coming up, it's the last race of the day and of the weekend.  Race two for Superbikes.  The race will be six laps.  At the start, Guy Martin gets the lead after Ryan Farquhar was presumed to have gotten an awesome start!  Michael Dunlop is flying as John Burrows is in the middle of the pack, his usual spot, carving through the field.  Ian Lougher is up in the order at the beginning, too.  Gary Johnson follows Guy Martin into Leathemstown for the first time,

Johnson is right up on Michael Dunlop's rear tire.  No one has done double race wins this weekend.  In this second Superbike race, that could all change.  William Dunlop chases Ryan Farquhar into Cochranestown.  Ian Lougher passes Lee Johnston on the Ducati.  John Burrows is riding an older bike that used to belong to Bruce Anstey.  But, he isn't happy with how it's performing.  William Dunlop flies past Ryan Farquhar.  Michael Dunlop is still going well despite the fact he's hurt.  He's had trouble walking, but not when he gets on the motorcycle.  Guy Martin holds the race lead.

William Dunlop is slowing down.  Something is wrong with his Wilson Craig Honda.  This is Dunlop's second retirement of the day.  Gary Johnson looks to pass Guy Martin.  He almost pulls it off.  Ian Lougher passes Bruce Anstey.  He's backing down slightly figuring one win in these races will be enough for the weekend.  Nothing has changed among the top two.  Anstey and Conor Cummins are still there.  But, this will boil down to a two bike race.  Ryan Farquhar is running behind Conor Cummins.  Working lap three of six.  Halfway home.  Coming through Deer's Leap, the scrap between Lougher and Anstey continues.

Michael Dunlop is going for it, officially.  He tries mightily to pass Gary Johnson!  Can he do it?  No.  Not this time.  Bruce Anstey is fading on the uphill.  He's falling into Dunlop's clutches.  Yes.  Dunlop zooms past Anstey.  Anstey is having to deal with that pesky Lougher fellow again.  Now, this has become a three way fight to the finish of the Ulster Grand Prix.  There's a gap between Martin and Dunlop of 4/10ths of a second.  Dunlop has Martin in his sites.  Bruce Anstey may have to concede to Ian Lougher.  But, it's the lead battle that's crucial.

Anstey loses a spot.  He must have missed a shift.  But, big news!  Michael Dunlop passes Guy Martin for the lead, coming to the finish!  Dean Harrison on bike #15 is now challenging Ian Lougher, having passed Anstey.  Michael Dunlop has this one in the bag.  Guy Martin will really have to push if he wants victory today.  Guy Martin isn't finished, coming to the Flying Kilo.  No matter who wins this race, there will not be a repeat winner like in all the earlier races.  Dean Harrison passes Bruce Anstey.  Michael Dunlop makes an error at Jordan's Cross, allowing Guy Martin to pass.

Dunlop tries to come back, but no.  Martin leads.  Dunlop passes again.  Wow!  This will be hammer and tongs racing to the finish.  They still battle through Wheelers, coming to Tornograph and into the Lindsay hairpin.  Dean Harrison drives around Ian Lougher again.  Bruce Anstey is still in this, sans brakes!  Phew!  It's the last lap.  Any more suspense?  We'll find out.  Guy Martin will not be dispensed with through The Flying Kilo.  No dice.  Dunlop keeps the lead.  The riders enter Cochranestown one last time.  Gary Johnson and Conor Cummins scrap for third.

There's lapped traffic in the way for the leaders, coming to the finish!  No problem.  Guy Martin pounces through Jordan's Cross.  Will he make it stick?  Guy Martin leads Dunlop into Wheelers.  What will Dunlop do in the hairpin?  He's got one more chance to make a move.  They're wheel to wheel!  Dunlop goes inside of Martin!  Dunlop opens a lead.  It's over for Guy Martin.  Michael Dunlop wins it!

#9 Michael Dunlop     Honda

The Ulster Grand Prix is in the books.  There might be more Bike Road Racing.  Stay tuned.