Ulster Grand Prix

Valerie Crichton, a beautiful lady, will be sadly missed by everyone who knew and loved her.
Deepest sympathy to John and family from Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

❤️

Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club are deeply saddened on the passing of esteemed member, Frank Kennedy.

Frank was an enthusiastic and very popular club member having joined in the late 1970’s fulfilling many roles, in his own unique way, with his infectious personality as Chairman, Treasurer and Assistant Clerk of the Course.
A well known and respected volunteer also fulfilling the role of flag marshal at every road race in Ireland.

He was a great front man for the club and with his close friends, Tom Best and Sam McClurkin was an exceptional and willing fundraiser. Frank’s warm and charming personality could literally have sold snow to the eskimos.

Frank was reliable and unselfishly dedicated his time to the Dundrod Club, always willing to help anyone, in any way that he could and was greatly respected by all who had the pleasure spending time in his company.

A true UGP legend, Frank will be missed greatly and our thoughts are with his Daughters Lorna, Nicola and Gail and wider family and friends at this very sad time.

It is with regret that the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club must announce the Ulster Grand Prix will not take place during 2024.
Despite recent positive negotiations with stakeholders of the event, the club has been left with no choice but to take this course of action given motorcycle sport's ongoing insurance issues and a lack of sufficient time to find a solution to these challenges.
The DDMC remains committed to reviving the Ulster Grand Prix and will continue to work towards achieving that goal.

It is with deep regret the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club has been forced to abandon plans to revive the Ulster Grand Prix on August 18-19, 2023.
The club began the initiative with confidence, enjoying the full backing of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council and the Ulster Grand Prix Supporters’ Club. There was encouraging support from teams and riders and we also received strong commitments of financial support from the local business community for which we are extremely grateful.
However, in recent weeks those plans have been undermined by two specific issues.
Despite numerous requests by Dundrod club officials during the last six weeks, we have been totally frustrated in our attempts to gain access to a copy of the public liability insurance policy the Motorcycle Union of Ireland, Ulster Centre, has put in place for 2023.
The Dundrod club was expected to make an initial payment of £26,000 by mid-April. The finance is in place to make that payment but without sight and consideration of the policy documents, the club’s solicitor has advised this payment should not proceed.
That issue has been further compounded by ongoing uncertainty around funding for the event from Tourism NI. The Dundrod club made application to TNI last December as required. We are now in April 2023 and there has still been no indication as to whether or not this application will be successful or what level of support the UGP might be eligible to receive.
Given these uncertainties, the Dundrod club has been left with no option other than to make the unfortunate decision being announced today.

The motorcycle world was rocked here in Northern Ireland when news of the hike in insurance was made clear to all the promoting motorcycle clubs. It was clear to these clubs within the MCUI(UC) that the increase was unaffordable to most if not all running events this year. The clubs could not agree to progress with the purchase of the insurance policy, despite knowing fully that this would mean the cancellation of all two-wheeled sport in Northern Ireland in 2023. The MCUI(UC), not having the funds to purchase the insurance could therefore not continue.

We are now asking our fans, those that love their racing, their road racing and trials to help us by kindly donating directly to our insurance shortfall fund to give us the chance to have racing this year. Your efforts, if successful will result in most if not all two-wheeled sport being back on our calendar.

MCUI (UC) Insurance shortfall for racing in 2023, organized by Motorcycle Union of Ireland Ulster Centre The motorcycle world was rocked here in Northern Ireland whe… Motorcycle Union of Ireland Ulster Centre needs your support for MCUI (UC) Insurance shortfall for racing in 2023

Don’t miss out folks!

🏍 Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Ulster Grand Prix this Saturday at Dundrod Circuit for free!

Mayor Councillor Scott Carson will be leading out the Parade Lap of the 7.4 mile circuit at 2pm to mark the centenary of the world’s fastest road race with 99 other riders and places are still available to join!

The celebrations begin at 11am and last until 5pm with fun for all the family including classic race bikes, vintage cars and bouncy castles.

Both of the Mayor’s Charities, Atlas Centre, Lisburn and Helping Hand Charity RBHSC will be in attendance on the day.

Also, a rideout will leave The Square, Dromara at 9.45am making its way to Dundrod Circuit. Anyone interested in joining is asked to register from 9am in the village.

💻 To sign up or to find out more please visit: www.ulstergrandprix.net

Are you coming along to our Day of Celebration? Visit Lisburn Castlereagh Ulster Grand Prix Supporters Club

DAY OF CELEBRATION TO MARK ULSTER GRAND PRIX CENTENARY ON AUGUST 20, 2022

A special day of celebration to mark the centenary of the Ulster Grand Prix motorcycle race will take place at the paddock area of the Dundrod circuit on Saturday, August 20.
Organised by the Ulster Grand Prix Supporters Club and the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club with the support of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, the event will run from 11am until 5pm with free admission.
Bruce Anstey, a 13 times winner at the Ulster, will be joined by BSB and road racing star, Glenn Irwin alongside a line-up of other road racers from past including Ray McCullough BEM, the winner of the last 250cc World Championship race at Dundrod in 1971.
There will also be a large collection of classic and racing machinery on display, including at least one machine from every decade of competition at the Ulster.
Also on the day 100 riders will officially have the opportunity to take part in a special ride-out lap of the 7.4 mile Co. Antrim circuit to mark the occasion, which still retains the title as the World’s Fastest Road racing course.
With lots of family fun and entertainment in the paddock area, Saturday August 20 promises to be a great day out for all the family, giving race fans an opportunity to reflect on the past and share stories of yesteryear with the motorbiking family as the grand old race celebrates its 100th birthday.
If you wish to be one of the lucky 100 riders to take part in the ride out, please go to the UGP Web Site, www.ulstergrandprix.net where you will find the details on how to purchase the limited entry.

Our beautiful Race Secretary Linda Coulter passed away last night after a short illness. A humble soul who beavered away for the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club with never any fuss or complaint and who had the respect of everyone. Linda was Race Secretary right from the Killinchy 100 days and worked away tirelessly in the background without wanting any praise or attention. We have lost a dear friend and will miss her greatly. Thinking of Alex and the whole family at this time and extending our deepest sympathies.

📸 John Condie