The Ulster Grand Prix revs into gear

This year’s celebrations for Bike Week 2013 have been extra special as Lisburn celebrates 60 years of the Ulster Grand Prix taking place at the Dundrod circuit.

With a superb line up of riders, tomorrow’s races, including the main event of the Metzeler Ulster Grand Prix, should live up to expectations.

A number of events have taken place throughout the week, including a night of Ulster Grand Prix nostalgia hosted by Lisburn City Council on Monday evening.

Over 50 vintage and classic bikes were waved off at the start line for a parade lap at the Dundrod Circuit and an exhibition featuring the Dromara Destroyers and winning bikes from the Ulster Grand Prix over the years was also held.

Speaking at the event Alderman Paul Porter said: “Lisburn is proud to support the fastest road race in the World and to have this classic and vintage parade and exhibition in Lisburn is very fitting as we are the only City in the UK to be awarded a European City of Sport designation for 2013. This has been a great start to the Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week and I wish everyone taking part a safe and successful event.”

Also in attendance was young rider Jamie Hamilton, the protégé of road racing legend Ryan Farquhar.

Hamilton, who is in his third year at the Ulster GP, specialises in the Supertwin class, but has proved that he can perform well on any capacity of machinery taking his first Supersport success at the Mid Antrim 150.

He has previously finished second and hopes to go one further this year.

“I like to think this year, I’ll be regarded as one of the frontrunners and for sure that’s exactly what we want to be doing, we want to be running at the front.”