This is only my second post but I thought some of you may find this racing interesting. Eugene or 'Norge' I refer to is Eugene Laverty currently second inthe world supersport championship, and Stella is my boy. If there is anything I've not made clear or you want more info fire me a reply, Hope you enjoy, Steve.
Here we go then a write up on the Ulster GP. I set off from my home in County Durham for the 190 mile trip to Stranraer, I did it on my trusty BMW 1200 GS which makes everything effortless and enjoyable, even the terrible rain for the first two hours of the journey. I decided to drop into Haltwhistle on the way to see why Hadrian’s Wall had surrended to so many of our Caledonian cousins.
Did you know Haltwhistle is the centre of the UK even though it’s up in Northumberland? And Big Arthur lead singer with the Lurkers moved here from London to take people on Horse and Cart trips along the wall?
Anyhow I digress, on my way to the ferry I came across this Yellow sign a lot, perhaps our Caledonian cousins can fill us in on the nature of the exhibition?
Boarding the ferry was straight forward
And Scotland is such a beautiful place even the view out of the back end of the Vehicle deck was stunning
30 Minutes after landing I was at my digs and waiting for Stella, here’s an excuse for a picture of my bike…can anyone spot the good looking dude in the picture?
Next morning saw me Stella Norge and Pippa on location at the Dundrod circuit. Only in Ireland will you get a farm vehicle in the middle of the paddock
And a picture for our American cousins, one of the bikes from the Wall of Death
Where else do you get to wander all over the track between racers. A rider’s eye view of the grid. (For those who don’t know the Ulster GP circuit is a closed road track, meaning these are regular roads used daily that are closed and used as a race track for the duration of the GP) I rode the circuit the day after the GP, I think it’s safe to say the Dunlop’s, Amor’s and Hutchinson’s can sleep safe in their bed without worrying about me being the new kid on the block.
A lot of the racing is on a shoe string, out of the back of cars, and tearing the insides out of 3 pod tents to make garages.
There were some interesting bikes
The Dunlop Dynasty is everywhere, from Joeys ‘grandstand’
His son who can normally be found running Joeys bar and a decent ex racer himself
The late Robert Dunlop’s (Joeys famous Brother) sons and both quality Road Racers
Inside Keith Amors garage, no prizes for spotting this world class racer in unfamiliar team shirt.
Ian Lougher, he’s been around for ever and still turning a fast wheel on the ‘real road circuits’
Ian Hutchinson is very special and one of the few able to combine road and short circuit at the highest level
The Padgett Honda with his first place award. Like Hutchy Padgett’s seem able to provide a very competitive bike for any occasion
This Guy has the best name in bike racing ‘Timmy Turtle’ and he does a lot for Down syndrome sufferers in Northern Ireland.
Eugene’s bike for the parade lap, a bit different from his usual bike
This bloke had the best seat in the house for the big screen but little regard for anyone else
Guy Martin with a Dunlop on his tail at around 130mph
The spectators can almost touch the racers, and that sadly happened in race one when a rider and two spectators were badly hurt but remain in a stable condition.
Hutchinson and Amor in the Supersport race
Exiting the corner using the full road to head back to start finish, taking care not to catch the bails of hay
Spent a couple of days with Stephen Thompson in Barcelona a few years back, he is an absolute cracker. Everyone paid £50 for their picture on his bike, there’s a story behind the German Sheppard which I won’t go into just now!
Keith Amor on his way through the paddock, he doesn’t look happy for a guy who has just won a race
On the Sunday I headed for home, with time to spare I went back to Dundrod to ride the circuit, then into Belfast for some sight seeing..I always thought of the Summer of 69 as a cheerful song
And a trip to Stormont, the home of many delicate and serious negotiatons over the years, which sits in beautiful surroundings.
Well that’s all folks
