Road Racing News Race of The Year award goes to, drum roll, the Castle Mall Super Twins race of the FonaCAB Ulster Grand Prix.
The opening twins class encounter of last August’s Ulster GP epitomised just how close, exciting, thrilling, exhilarating competition can be around the world’s fastest road race circuit, Dundrod.
There was nothing in it throughout between Team ILR’s Joe Loughlin, Christian Elkin, lap three retiree Lee Johnston, TT Privateers Champion Jamie Coward and Dafabet Devitt Racing’s Paul Jordan.
Photo by Tommy Vennard
KTS Racing’s Coward who was one second down on Magherafelt’s Jordan going into the fourth and last lap, surged into the race lead at the Windmill only for Jordan to re-take the lead at Wheelers which he maintained to the chequered flag.
Race runner-up, just 0.092 behind first time UGP victor Jordan was prospective TT 2020 exponent, impressive International roads returnee Loughlin who edged out Hebden Bridge’s Coward, who’s lap four lap time of 3 minutes 42.999 seconds, proved the fastest lap of the race.
Ultra Lightweight race runner-up Elkin finished fourth, Welsh roads legend Ian Lougher was fifth whilst sixth place went to leading overseas competitor French star Xavier Denis.
Wrapping up the first ten finishers were Jonathan Perry, lead UGP newcomer James Chawke, Logan Racing’s Neil Kernohan and Maria Costello MBE.
Others to register strong results included Ryan Gibson 12th, Marty Lennon 13th, Veronika Hankocyova 14th, James Tadman 15th and Eoin O’Siochru 17th.
World class International road race action, compelling 650 machinery competition, next gen stars turning on the style, the Castle Mall Super Twins Ulster GP race had it all, showcasing as aforementioned how thrilling competition can be around the hugely popular, hugely respected, much loved Dundrod course.
Words by Stevie Rial