Ulster Grand Prix Report 2007
Can I start this update with an apology to everyone, as you may be aware, , It is my policy to do this as soon as I can after each race meeting, but after the UGP, it has been a rush to get over here to the IOM, and this is the first chance I have got , so Thanks for your patience.
The UGP, dunno what to say, I probably didn’t get the results I would have liked, but with the weather as it was, I wasn’t going to stick my neck out. I wasn’t prepared to take any risks in conditions like that.
In the superstock race, I was happy enough with my 14th place, I had a great scrap with Les Shand, I was also impressed with Michael Pearson, better known as a short circuit rider, he was going great guns on his R1, keep it up Michael.
Good to see Ryan back on top step of Podium again, I think many thought his days were over for International wins, but he has sure proved them wrong
 In the 600 race, I had problems getting of the line, and with a result, I had to start at the back of the second group, I got a blinder of a start, and passed Dwyer agnew coming in to Leathemstown, and from then on, we had a great scrap, we passed and re passed, he gave me signals, and I returned the favour!, I really enjoyed this race, but a wee bit disappointed, when I found that I wasn’t allowed the time difference, but, hey, it was good fun!
I was looking forward to the superbike race, even though my qualifying wasn’t to good, however, on lap one, with the spray coming from lougher and Thompsons bikes, I decided to pull in, as I thought it to risky, I wasn’t to surprised when the red flag went out to call it quits.
With the UGP taking place during the week, I must say a Big Thank you to Geoff, Raymond and the lads who took time of their work to come down and give me a hand, also special mention to Kerry Hughes who made all those cuppas, and kept the hot teas flowing when needed.
Did anyone notice Doc John out on a race bike at last? John got an unexpected chance during practices t see what a race bike really goes like!
What happened was, his tyres were been changed, he was having a chat with us, when he got a call to go to an accident!, so without hesitation, I told him to take the blade, I don’t think he had time to think about it, and away he went, despite the cold tryes, and the gear linkage different from what he is used to, he was away like a rocket!.
Thankfully the rider wasn’t to bad, and john got a good excuse to get riding a proper superbike on the worlds fastest road circuit!
After loading up, we headed of for home, where we had to unload, and pack all into the wee Transit in readiness for the Boat next morning for IOM.
Had a quiet sat night, Chinese and a couple of glasses of wine, before getting up early on Sunday morning, as I had to collect the 500 honda from Wallace Seawright before getting the boat.
Pictures By Baylon McCaughey www.irishracephotography.com
 Can I say a Big Thank You to both Wallace and Billy lyle for there hard work into the wee hours of Sunday morning, in getting the bike ready for me.
So here I am on the Island, since I arrived, I have been working flat out on the bikes, Monday evening saw me earn a handy £20, Thanks Simon!, He bet me that I wouldn’t get past quarter bridge on my first lap!, Cheers, I will have a wee beer on that Simon, anyway, my first ever ride on a classic bike, and I must say, I thouroughly enjoyed it, better than I expected, however you’ve got to hand it to these Classic Guys, when you see the top guys ride these bikes hard, they are really good riders, Baylon has told me to get tucked in behind John Goodall, and I will be going places!
I saw this guy in the paddock earlier to day, and had to be convinced that this was the guy Baylor was talking about!, and I got a chance to see him on my first lap, for about 20 seconds or so!, he passed me, and he was flying! And hes no spring chicken!
I was pleasantly surprised to see I had done a lap of 87mph and was 14th , RJ Woosley was on the phone, and I think he was more surprised than I was !
I was approaching the Goosneck, when the bike started to splutter, and here I was , thinking, bloody classics!, how am I going to get back now!, and then I found out, I had accidentally hit the fuel switch with my knee, got it turned on again, and we were motoring again.
To night I am hoping to do a lap on each bike, weather is good, and has been since I arrived, so heres hoping for more of the same for the next two weeks!.
Better get ready now, apologies again for the delay, I promise it wont happen again!
JB#16
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