Guy Martin has been crowned ‘Man of the Meeting’ at the Ulster Grand Prix. The Tyco Suzuki rider won three races on Saturday, including the feature Superbike race, as well as taking third in another. The results come after he signed a contract extension to stay with the team for 2014, which was announced on Friday to put an end to speculation. His wins see him move to fourth in the all-time list for wins at the Ulster, with 11 to his name. Michael and William Dunlop won one race apiece, with Ian Lougher and Ivan Lintin also victorious.
The day kicked off with a five lap practice session for the Superstock class after rain disrupted practice on Thursday. The first race of the day was the Barron Transport Services Supersport race, which Guy Martin had qualified on pole position for. He went on to win ahead of Bruce Anstey and Lee Johnston. This result ensured that New Zealander Anstey continued his impressive record of finishing on the podium at every North West 200, TT, and Ulster Grand Prix meeting in the past ten years. Michael Dunlop failed to finish the race after clutch problems, with Gary Johnson and Jamie Hamilton joining him on the sidelines.
After a damp start to the day, the sun came out and the track soon dried up. Next up for the riders was the Lisburn City Council Superstock race and, following his disappointment in race one, it was a successful outing for Michael Dunlop as he won ahead of Gary Johnson and Bruce Anstey. The Ultra-lightweight and Lightweight classes went out together and it proved to be a close race. It was red-flagged after Peter McKillop crashed out, and re-started as a three lap race. This allowed Jamie Hamilton, who had slid off at Leathemstown on the opening lap, to rejoin the pack and he went on to fight with Ivan Lintin right to the line. Lintin took his first International road race victory, but was just 0.048s clear of KMR Kawasaki rider Hamilton. Lee Johnston finished just a second back to take the third and final podium spot. Ian Lougher won the Ultra-lightweight class, on his last appearance at the Ulster GP, three tenths of a second ahead of Christian Elkin. Paul Jordan was a further 27 seconds down the field, but also finished on the podium.
The seven lap McKinstry Skip Hire Ulster Grand Prix was up next, the event’s main race. Michael Dunlop started on pole position but Guy Martin took the lead on the opening lap and stayed there for the duration of the race. He pulled out a comfortable lead but when they started to reach backmarkers, Dunlop was able to close the gap. It was a close run to the line but the Tyco Suzuki rider held on for the victory but just by under a tenth of a second. It was also a successful race for William Dunlop who finished on the podium. The second Supersport race came next, but the final race of the day was the second Superbike race. Michael Dunlop faced drama as he was wheeled off the grid before the race started. Guy Martin was again able to build up a comfortable lead initially ahead of Gary Johnson, who later retired from the race. William Dunlop also had problems, retiring on the penultimate lap, with his team-mate Conor Cummins going on to finish on the podium, just behind Bruce Anstey. There was a close battle within the top ten between Lee Johnston, Dean Harrison, Cameron Donald and Jamie Hamilton. Harrison, Donald and Hamilton swapped positions a few times, but ultimately Hamilton came out on top, securing a solid top five finish after his problems throughout the day.
The penultimate race of the meeting, however, provided the most thrilling moments of the day. The Ulster Grand Prix winner Guy Martin failed to start the race while Michael Dunlop had a disappointing race start. William Dunlop took the lead early on and finished the first lap ahead of Bruce Anstey and Connor Cummins. The leading duo pulled away and enjoyed a close battle that went right down to the wire. On the last lap it was Anstey who led but Dunlop was not letting him get away. Anstey ran wide, with Dunlop doing the same, allowing Anstey to get the run on him into the Quarries. However, the Milwaukee Yahama rider went round the outside at the final corner to win the race by 0.073s. Cummins held on to finish third.
After the Dundrod 150 races were cancelled by rain there were concerns that the Ulster Grand Prix could also be a washout. Earlier in the year the North West 200 was forced to cancel its races after adverse weather conditions. However, with the rain easing off for the start of the first race, it stayed away right until the end of the final race of the day and it proved to be a highly successful day. As well as the racing there were parade laps, with Bruce Anstey taking the legendary Britten V1000 for a lap around Dundrod.
A number of the riders who were present at the Ulster Grand Prix have headed straight to the Isle of Man in prepartion for the Manx Grand Prix and the inaugural Classic TT which are next up on the calendar.
The 'H' Duct 