Ulster Grand Prixs first ‘Meet the Riders’ event a great success

Fans were given the opportunity to meet some of the riders who will take part in August’s Ulster Grand Prix last night at the Ramada in Belfast.

The ‘Meet the Riders’ event, which was the first one held by the race, was attended by a number of fans and eight of the riders. The night featured a Q&A session with the riders and fans were then able to go and meet them for autographs and photographs, including the occasional selfie! As well as the riders, Tyco, Mar-Train and Bathams BMW had brought bikes which fans could sit on to have their photo taken.

William Dunlop, Jamie Hamilton, Dan Kneen and Paul Owen were amongst the riders in attendance. Michael Dunlop, who had been at the official launch earlier in the day, sent his apologies as he had travelled to Germany to visit BMW. Stephen Thompson, Lee Johnston, Peter Hickman and Dean Harrison were also there. The riders were asked a number of questions and there was banter a-plenty between them as they answered. They discussed what goes through their minds when they’re racing, how they react after incidents with other riders, and if they could ride for any team who it would be. Riders were particularly sketchy about this one. Hickman offered up Repsol Honda while Harrison, whose team were in attendance, said Mar-Train – his current team. Dunlop was asked about his accident at this year’s TT and he said he was very lucky to come away with a break on a part of his leg that isn’t really very important. He revealed that he hopes to be racing at the Skerries this weekend if Tyco can get a bike sorted.

Riders were also asked if when they had moments on the bike did it play on their minds on proceeding laps? Some said that it did but Dunlop explained that normally they look much worse than they actually are so it isn’t really that big a deal. This year’s Ulster Grand Prix will be Paul Owen’s last, with the rider revealing that he is retiring from international road racing. Harrison jokingly asked was he really retiring, or would he be one of those riders who ‘retired’ and returned in six months. Also on stage, Hamilton and Johnston were awarded with their medals for joining the 130 club at last year’s Ulster Grand Prix.

The riders also touched on the controversial topic of fatalities in road racing, which has come to the fore of debate following the tragic death of Simon Andrews at this year’s North West 200. Riders felt strongly about the topic with Hickman and Harrison debating how people could complain about something they’d never been to before. They also noted that the people who were calling for road racing to be banned are the same types of people who like to jump on ‘bad news’ and won’t discuss the winner of a race. Owen pointed out that more people die fishing in Northern Ireland, but nobody calls for it to be banned.

All-in-all it was an enjoyable evening. As well as the riders in attendance, Clerk of the course Noel Johnston promised that there were more big names to be announced.

Hundreds of fans attend NW200 ‘Meet the Riders’ event

Hundreds of bike racing fans descended on the Titanic building last night for the opportunity to meet some of the riders who will be taking part in this year’s Vauxhall International North West 200.

The event, which was designed to bring the NW200 closer to the fans and give the general public more access, was fronted by BBC’s Stephen Watson and featured the likes of John McGuinness, Ryan Farquhar, and Josh Brookes. Tickets for the event were free but only around 600 were issued and were given on a first come first served basis.

Earlier in the day the press launch had taken place where a host of changes for this year had been revealed. Among them were the addition of a lap to each of the two Superbike races, bringing the total number of laps to seven, and a new Man of the Meeting award in memory of Robert Dunlop. Other announcements included the addition of viewing screen at York Corner, free wifi throughout the paddock, and the extension of the BBC deal which will see the broadcaster continue to present North West 200 coverage worldwide for the next five years.

At the ‘Meet the Riders’ event, after viewing compilation videos of action from previous North West 200s, Stephen Watson interviewed the riders. Riders in attendance were John McGuinness, Michael and William Dunlop, Ian Hutchinson, Josh Brookes, Steve Mercer, Peter Hickman, Keith Amor, Ryan Farquhar, Alistair Seeley, Jeremy McWilliams and Stuart Easton. For Hutchinson, Amor, and Farquhar it marks a return to the North West 200 after time away for different reasons. It will be former British Superbike rider Hickman’s first time at the race. All of the riders spoke of their excitement for the race, and what it means to race at the North West 200.

Following that, the riders spread out throughout the room and fans were given the opportunity to go and talk to them, get their autographs and photographs taken with them. There was a buzz of excitement in the room and, with just six weeks to go until race week, it looks set to increase. The event was the first time the North West 200 has tried something like this and all-in-all it seemed to be a great success!