The Lancia D25 at Dundrod

This is the engine bay of the Lancia D25 with its rarely seen 3750cc four cam 60-degree V6. This D25 will be assigned to Juan Manuel Fangio and Eugenio Castellotti for the Tourist Trophy at the Dundrod circuit in Northern Ireland on September 11, 1954. Lancia had brought four cars to the “TT,” a pair of D25s –  the second being given to Albert Ascari and Luigi Villoresi – and another pair of the…

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Over 250 bikers travel in convoy to Dundrod to lap famous MCE UGP circuit

HUNDREDS of bikers have taken part in the now annual MCE Ulster Grand Prix ‘Bike Fest’ convoy from three starting points in Northern Ireland, all culminating in a lap of the world famous MCE UGP circuit on the eve of the first practice sessions.

The legendary Dromara Destroyers (Brian Reid, Ray McCullough, Trevor Steele and Ian McGregor) led a ride out of over 200 bikes from Dromara village centre for the third year running.

Joining them at Dundrod, the home of the MCE Ulster Grand Prix, were two convoys of Harley-Davidsons as well as Vespas who travelled from Scooter Specialist NI in Belfast.

Noel Johnston, Clerk of the Course at the MCE Ulster Grand Prix said: “We were delighted to see so many people from the biking community out in force; but who could blame them for being unable to turn down the chance to ride round the MCE UGP during bike week – safely of course!

“The circuit itself is in great shape and we’re now ready for the first race bikes on the grid on Wednesday morning. Here’s to a safe few days of close, shoulder to shoulder racing at what is, in my opinion, the greatest mass start road race in the world,” he added.

More information about events and racing during the MCE Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week:

Wednesday 8th August

10.00 – Roads close for MCE Ulster Grand Prix practice sessions

21.00 – An Evening with the World’s Best Road Racers in the Hospitality Marquee, followed by live music.

Thursday 9th August

10.00 – Roads close for practice followed by MCE Ulster Grand Prix races. The race order is: Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council 600 Supersport race, the DGH Services Supertwins race, the Belfast International Airport Ultralightweight/Lightweight race and the Circle K Airport Road Service Station Superbike race.

12.30 – 19.00 – VIP event in Hospitality Marquee (for ticket holders only).

22.00 – Live music in Hospitality Marquee.

Friday 10th August

11.00 – Meet the Riders event at Circle K Airport Road Service Station

12.00 – E-Trax NI indoor motocross e-park event (near Moira roundabout)

13.00 – Mini cars and mini bikes demo and racing in MCE UGP paddock throughout the day from 13.00

14.00 – MCE UGP Family Fun Event at Centra Whitemountain

15.00 – Bus tours of the MCE UGP circuit with rider commentary on board

17.00 – Ulster Classic Motorcycle Club Grass Track Racing at Fort Road, Dundrod

18.00 – Scrambler and trial bike display in MCE UGP paddock

20.30 – Live music in the Hospitality Marquee

Saturday 11th August

09.30 – Roads close for the seven-race MCE Ulster Grand Prix programme. A 20 minute warm up session for Supersport, Superstock and Superbike machines will precede the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Supersport race, the Centra Whitemountain Supersport race, the Plant Lubrication NI Ultra Lightweight/Lightweight, the MMB Surfacing Superbike race, the Team Air Power 600 Supersport Race, the Maxwell Freight Supertwins race and the Around-A-Pound Superbike race

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All eyes on Dundrod as Hicky and Harrison prepare to meet again

The 2018 MCE Insurance Ulster Grand Prix is less than a month away and the anticipation is certainly building.

Following a TT that saw Peter Hickman demolish the outright lap record to win a thrilling Senior TT finale ahead of Dean Harrison, the 7.4011 miles of Dundrod tarmac is the next meeting ground for these road-racing heavyweights.

Peter, UGP Man of the Meeting in 2017 and now the world’s fastest rider, secured podium finishes in four classes, three of which were as race winner.

Commenting on his and Dean’s recent form Peter said:

“Obviously I had my first win at the North West this year and followed this up with a host of firsts at the TT, the highlight of which was achieving a new lap record in the Senior Class. The aim is always to win at the slowest pace possible but Dean was flying and 135mph was the only speed I could do to secure the win! “

Hickman credits Dean’s speed with his experience of competing at the BSBs, commenting:

“A few years ago I told Dean that if he wanted to get faster he needed to come to the BSBs. It’s a faster style of racing, with top level riders, bikes and teams and I think if you can ride at the BSBs you can ride anywhere.

“In hindsight I wish I’d never mentioned it to him…he’s been giving me grief ever since!”

Although disappointed to lose his lap record, Dean is very much focused on race wins rather than records commenting:

“Lap records are there to be broken but with race wins your name is forever etched on that trophy and cannot be taken away from you. I’m looking forward to getting out there but I’m definitely not counting my chickens! There are at least 10 other riders who all have a chance at that podium and based on how well the teams are all performing it won’t be easy out there.”

Clerk of the Course, Noel Johnston commented: “Both riders have had an incredible year to date and are returning to the Dundrod circuit confident and with a plethora of race wins under their belt. They are both at the top of their game, which will no doubt make for some very exciting, and edge-of-your-seat racing for fans.

“We have two days of international racing this year, with 11 races taking place across the Thursday and Saturday. There are over 100 riders participating and it promises to be the perfect climax to the international road-racing season.”

The Aston Brain Trust

We are standing in front of the pits at Dundrod, a difficult and highly dangerous public road circuit near Belfast in Northern Ireland on September 18, 1955 where the famous Tourist Trophy race, this year of 1000 Km, is about to be held, counting for the World Championship for Sports Cars. The main protagonists include Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Ferrari, Maserati and Aston Martin. Before us we have…