Twice IRRC Supersport Champion Laurent Hoffmann enjoyed a quite prodigious maiden Ulster GP tenure which culminated with the Belgian roads star been crowned lead Dundrod course newcomer.
Adapting quickly to the fast, flowing just over seven miles long Dundrod circuit, opening race action of this year’s FonaCAB Ulster Grand Prix saw Hoffmann bank a very respectable 23rd place finish within the record breaking, history making Circle K Airport Road Service Station Superbike race.
The following Centra Whitemountain Supersport race would see Hoffmann closely match the pace of various established, high calibre UGP exponents on route to securing a solid 16th place finish.
After Thursday’s race action, attentions then turned to UGP Race Day which began with the Daly’s Hyundai Superstock encounter.
GSX-R 1000 Suzuki mounted Hoffmann, competing under the Delaur Road Racing Belgium banner would go onto finish an excellent 13th, finishing in front of the likes of Enniskillen Grand Final winner Forest Dunn, Wigan’s Josh Daley and 2016 Senior Manx GP winner Tom Weeden.
Remainder of ‘Race Day’ would yield more impressive results with a brace of 15 place finishes secured from the feature MMB Surfacing, Around A Pound Superbike races.
Reflecting via Facebook about earning the title of lead newcomer of the 2019 FonaCAB Ulster Grand Prix, Hoffmann who’s presently second within the 2019 IRRC Supersport Championship standings, stated:
“To become this at the fastest road race in the world is really something! With an average speed of over 122 mph I’m now officially the fastest Belgian road racer ever. Couldn’t be happier!”
Hoffmann’s racing attentions now return to the IRRC scene for the penultimate round of this year’s series which takes place this weekend at the iconic Czech Republic based Horice roads circuit.
Words by Stevie Rial