2019 Ulster Grand Prix

Thursday Race Reports

Thursday afternoon saw the start of race action at the 2019 fonaCAB Ulster Grand Prix with a feast of high speed action that saw Dundrod reclaim it’s title as the world’s fastest road race.

Peter Hickman set a new outright lap record of 136.415mph on his way to victory in the Superbike race aboard the Smith’s S1000RR BMW. The new record is 2.6 seconds faster than the old mark and almost 1 mph quicker than his TT record of 135.452mph,

Peter Hickman

“I was struggling to pass Dean in the early stages as he was really fast in a straight line and we’re down a bit on top speed.  I got a really good run out of the last corner and used the slipstream perfectly along the Flying Kilo so I knew if I could get to Deer’s Leap in front, I’d have a good chance of getting away. Once I got the clear track, I could ride my own lines, rather than Dean’s, and I hit all my markers so was able to pull away.” We don’t have the fastest bike out there but we do have a very good package so it’s great to get the win and get the outright lap record back for myself, the team and BMW.”

Conor Cummins posted the highest speed ever recorded at Dundrod when he broke the beam on the speed trap on the Flying Kilo at 202.8mph on the Milenco Padgett’s Honda Fireblade. Cummins finished third in the race with Dean Harrison taking the runner-up slot on the Silicone Kawasaki.

South Australian David Johnson crossed the line in sixth place ahead of Derek Sheils and Jamie Coward.

The race was red flagged on the final lap when Sam West crashed without injury at Quarry Bends and his BMW burst into flames.

Tyco BMW’s Michael Dunlop had earlier withdrawn from the Thursday evening Superbike race but the 30-year-old intends to race in Saturday’s Superbike and Superstock
events.

SBK Race Results

Superstock

Peter Hickman topped the opening Superstock qualifying session at 130.871mph, 1.883 mph seconds ahead of Dean Harrison (Silcone Kawasaki). Lee Johnston was third quickest on the Ashcourt Racing BMW.

Jamie Coward continued to impress on the Prez Yamaha, posting 4th fastest time with Davey Todd (Wepol/Penz13.com BMW) 5th.

Paul Jordan’s second lap 126.572mph was quick enough to give him 6th place on the grid for Saturday’s race before the Magherafelt rider slid off his RC Express/Dafabet Devitt’s Kawasaki at Leathemstown. He was uninjured in the crash.

Michael Sweeney (MJR BMW), David Johnson (Honda Racing), Derek Sheils (RK Racing/Burrows Suzuki) and Shaun Anderson (NW Racing BMW) completed the top ten.

Conor Cummins could only manage a lap of 125.090mph on the Milenco Padgett’s Honda for 14th place. Michael Dunlop was even further down the order in 29th place on the MD Racing BMW after completing just two laps.

Superstock Qualifying Results

Supersport Race

Peter Hickman was victorious in the Supersport race later in the evening on his Trooper Beer Triumph, winning the bout after a huge tussle with Lee Johnston on the Ashcourt Racing Yamaha. 

David Johnson finished eighth ahead of Xavier Denis and Dominic Herbertson. 

Supersport Race Results

SuperTwins

Paul Jordan took his first international race win in the Supertwins race on the RC Express, Dafabet Devitts Kawasaki, finishing just 0.092 seconds ahead of Joe Loughlin on a Team ILR/ Coverdale Paton. Jamie Coward was third on the KTS Racing Kawasaki.

Super Twin Race Results

Lightweight

The Lightweight race was won by Neil Kernohan on the Logan Yamaha just 0.06 seconds ahead of Davy Morgan (Honda) with Paul Williams (Yamaha) in third.

Lightweight Race Results

Ultra Lightweight

Czech racer Michal Dokoupil repeated his 2018 victory in the Ultra Lightweight race aboard his Ariane machine with Christian Elkin 1.5 seconds back on the Wylie Honda. Melissa Kennedy was the only female rostrum finisher of the day aboard her KNR Honda in third.

Ultra Lightweight Race Results