| The Ulster Grand
Prix Bike week was next up, which included
the Dundrod 150 and International Ulster
Grand Prix around the famous Dundrod circuit
in the hills above Belfast. With only
having competed once here in the past
six years, it was a matter of getting
plenty of laps in on the Investasure Racing
Fireblade and Autotech 600 Kawasaki as
the Ballygowan 250cc Honda was still unavailable.
Wednesday was all day practice, with
the various classes being split up during
the day causing no real panics. Davy was
able to get out among the newcomers, to
get a few early laps, and quickly settled
down and qualified both the Investasure
Racing Fireblade and Autotech 600 Kawasaki
machines, there were no dramas during
the sessions – job done, but could
be better!!
Thursday brought practice for the Ulster
Grand Prix Races along with the Dundrod
150 Road Races. One of Davy’s disappointments
over recent weeks has been not being able
to ride his Ballygowan & District
Road Racing Supporters Club backed 250
Honda, and this week was no exception.
As Davy entered the paddock on Thursday
morning, John Burrows approached him and
ask him if he’d like to ride his
250 Honda, Davy did not need to be asked
twice and jumped at the chance. Davy was
able to return the favour by qualifying
the HM Motorhomes 250cc Honda for the
250cc Ulster Grand Prix Race on Saturday,
as well as completing more practice on
both 1000cc and 600cc machines.
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Davy’s only race
of the day was the Dundrod 150 Superbike
race, and with a disappointing grid position
got away cleanly, but the race was short
lived as he has clutch problems and the
machine just would not pull out of corners,
so as a precaution, Davy retired from
the race.
At the end of the day Davy commented;
“Well, I’ve got round
and am getting back into the swing of
things. Of late I’ve been suffering
from a real lack of confidence in myself
and I am now heading in the right direction.”
Continuing to speak about his performance
during practice, he stated, “I can
point out the corners I know I am too
slow through around the circuit, and probably
wouldn’t point at two of them. I’m
really struggling with Dawson’s
and that is probably loosing me three
to four seconds by the time we reach Leathemstown.”
I retired in the Superbike race as a precaution
with clutch problems.”
As Saturday race day approached all eyes
were on the weather as heavy rain showers
were predicted, but as it turned out the
weather was superb and lap records tumbled
all day as the Dundrod circuit re-gained
the title of the fastest race track in
the world.
Davy’s first race of the day was
the David Wood Supersport 600, and with
the standard bike struggling for top end
speed Davy rode hard and enjoyed a few
battles on the track finishing 21st at
the flag!! After getting the loan of HM
Motorhomes 250cc machine at the last moment,
thanks to John, Hugh and the team, Davy
had a great battle with Ian Morrell and
Adrian McFarland, eventually crossing
the line in sixth place.
In the first Superbike race of the day
as conditions improved, the race was short
lived again for Davy as the Investasure
Racing Fireblade’s clutch gremlins
reappeared and it was another retirement
for Davy, and this was to be his final
race of the day as the problems meant
being safe rather than sorry.
“The Dundrod circuit is in
excellent condition”, Davy
comment after the race, “Big
Noel and the Dundrod club are to be congratulated
on work they have carried out during the
year, and for the way they ran the racing
today”.
Speaking about his own racing, he said;
“By the end of the weekend my
much lacking confidence has grown. In
my races I got into some terrific and
fun scraps, which did my confidence a
power of good. I feel I am, if what, slowly
getting back to my old self. I would like
to thank John Burrows and HM Motorhomes
team for the use of the Honda for the
250cc race, I’ve missed the 250
class racing since mine blew up and it
was great fun to be back on one.”
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pic : Hammy McClements - www.hammysracingphotos.com
pic : Hammy McClements - www.hammysracingphotos.com
pic : Hammy McClements - www.hammysracingphotos.com
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