Ulster Grand Prix
Dundrod Circuit, Northern Ireland
August 10-13, 2016
Race Results:
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Superstock Race:
1. Ian Hutchinson, UK (BMW S1000RR), 6 laps, Total Race Time 20:22.182, Average Race Speed 130.434 mph, Best Lap Time 3:21.402, Best Average Lap Speed 132.292 mph
2. Michael Dunlop, UK (BMW S1000RR), -0.261 second, 3:21.561, 132.188 mph
3. Dan Kneen, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -6.850 seconds, 3:22.005, 131.898 mph
4. Dean Harrison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -20.729, 3:24.332, 130.395 mph
5. Conor Cummins, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -20.733, 3:24.165, 130.502 mph
6. Gary Johnson, UK (BMW S1000RR), -20.884, 3:24.328, 130.398 mph
7. Derek Sheils (Kaw ZX-10R), -21.312, 3:24.081, 130.556 mph
8. Steve Mercer, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -23.282, 3:25.398, 129.719 mph
9. Jamie Coward (Kaw ZX-10R), -38.314, 3:27.412, 128.459 mph
10. Bruce Anstey, New Zealand (Hon CBR1000RR), -42.619, 3:28.083, 128.045 mph
Whitemountain Centra Supersport:
1. Bruce Anstey, New Zealand (Hon CBR600RR), 4 laps, Total Race Time 14:08.289, Average Race Speed 125.107 mph, Best Lap Time 3:28.877, Best Average Lap Speed 127.558 mph
2. Ian Hutchinson, UK (Yam YZF-R6), -0.818 second, 3:27.328, 128.511 mph
3. Conor Cummins, UK (Hon CBR600RR), -3.439 seconds, 3:29.042, 127.457 mph
4. Dean Harrison, UK (Kaw ZX-6R), -3.458, 3:29.537, 127.156 mph
5. Dan Kneen, UK (Yam YZF-R6), -4.077, 3:29.649, 127.088 mph
6. William Dunlop, UK (Yam YZF-R6), -4.668, 3:29.163, 127.384 mph
7. Peter Hickman, UK (Kaw ZX-6R), -5.250, 3:28.520, 127.777 mph
8. Derek McGee (Yam YZF-R6), -25.515, 3:34.127, 124.431 mph
9. Christian Elkin (Tri Daytona 675), -26.162, 3:36.012, 123.345 mph
10. Daniel Cooper (Tri Daytona 675), -28.709, 3:35.839, 123.444 mph
34. Patricia Fernandez, USA (Yam YZF-R6), -1 lap, 3:49.350, 116.172 mph
James Jamieson Construction/McKinstry Skip Hire Superbike:
1. Ian Hutchinson, UK (BMW S1000RR), 7 laps, Total Race Time 23:23.980, Average Race Speed 132.522 mph, Best Lap Time 3:19.258, Best Average Lap Speed 133.716 mph
2. Bruce Anstey, New Zealand (Hon CBR1000RR), -0.274 second, 3:19.217, 133.743 mph
3. Michelin Dunlop, UK (BMW S1000RR), -3.043 seconds, 3:19.118, 133.810 mph
4. Conor Cummins, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -10.350, 3:20.726, 132.738 mph
5. Dean Harrison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -12.444, 3:20.366, 132.976 mph
6. Dan Kneen, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -14.350, 3:20.384, 132.965 mph
7. William Dunlop, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -31.147, 3:22.878, 131.330 mph
8. Steve Mercer, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -32.239, 3:23.270, 131.077 mph
9. Derek Sheils (Suz GSX-R1000), -34.325, 3:22.766, 131.403 mph
10. Derek McGee (BMW S1000RR), -59.769, 3:26.263, 129.175 mph
Barron Transport Services Supersport:
1. Ian Hutchinson, UK (Yam YZF-R6), 6 laps, Total Race Time 21:00.311, Best Lap Time 3:27.628, Best Average Lap Speed 128.325 mph
2. William Dunlop, UK (Yam YZF-R6), -0.101 second, 3:27.770, 128.238 mph
3. Peter Hickman, UK (Kaw ZX-6R), -0.500, 3:27.328, 128.511 mph
4. Bruce Anstey, New Zealand (Hon CBR600RR), -0.674, 3:28.054, 128.063 mph
5. Conor Cummins, UK (Hon CBR600RR), -1.458 seconds, 3:27.961, 128.120 mph
6. Dean Harrison, UK (Kaw ZX-6R), -2.600, 3:28.538, 127.765 mph
7. Gary Johnson, UK (Tri Daytona 675), -21.055, 3:31.805, 125.795 mph
8. Christian Elkin (Tri Daytona 675), -40.147, 3:35.328, 123.737 mph
9. Daniel Cooper (Tri Daytona 675), -40.338, 3:35.127, 123.852 mph
10. Paul Jordan (Hon CBR600RR), -40.420, 3:35.194, 123.814 mph
27. Patricia Fernandez, USA (Yam YZF-R6), -110.494, 3:45.292, 118.264 mph
Around A Pound Superbike:
1. Ian Hutchinson, UK (BMW S1000RR), 6 laps, Total Race Time 20:04.228, Average Race Speed 132.379 mph, Best Lap Time 3:18.704 (New Record), Best Average Lap Speed 134.089 mph
2. Bruce Anstey, New Zealand (Hon CBR1000RR), -0.800 second, 3:18.964, 133.913 mph
3. Michelin Dunlop, UK (BMW S1000RR), -1.289 seconds, 3:18.866, 133.979 mph
4. Conor Cummins, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -2.453, 3:19.051, 133.855 mph
5. Dean Harrison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -6.890, 3:19.729, 133.401 mph
6. Dan Kneen, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -12.128, 3:19.770, 133.373 mph
7. Peter Hickman, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -19.989, 3:21.848, 132.000 mph
8. Gary Johnson, UK (BMW S1000RR), -22.236, 3:22.970, 131.270 mph
9. Steve Mercer, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -22.774, 3:22.721, 131.432 mph
10. Derek Sheils (Suz GSX-R1000), -23.042, 3:23.223, 131.107 mph
More, from a press release issued by Metzeler:
Ian Hutchinson On Top as METZELER Claims Wins at 2016 Ulster Grand Prix
With Wins in the Superbike, Supersport and Superstock Classes, Hutchy Won on Both the Road-Legal METZELER RACETEC™ RR Treaded Tire and Full RACETEC™ RR Slick
DUNDROD, Northern Ireland – METZELER rider Ian Hutchinson continued his stunning form in the 2016 Road Racing season yesterday, picking up four wins and setting a new lap record at the World’s Fastest Road Race, the Ulster Grand Prix. Fellow METZELER riders Dan Kneen and William Dunlop also enjoyed podium finishes in the Superstock and Supersport classes, respectively.
The popular Northern Ireland event once again saw thousands of fans pack the hedgerows around the seven mile Roads circuit to enjoy a day full of action-packed racing. Kicking things off was the Superstock race and Tyco BMW star Ian Hutchinson leapt off the line from his fourth row starting position, crossing the start line at the end of the opening lap in the lead. Battling throughout the six-lap race, Hutchinson made his move back into the lead on the final lap, crossing the line ahead of Michael Dunlop with fellow METZELER rider Dan Kneen in third. Both Hutchinson and Kneen were using the road-legal RACETEC™ RR treaded tire.
The first Supersport race again saw ‘Hutchy’ enjoy a fantastic start, running in second over the opening three laps. Closing dramatically on lap four, it looked set for another battle for the lead over the final laps, however, a red flag at the start of lap five saw the result declared, with Hutchinson and his Team Traction Control Yamaha squad securing second place.
The opening seven-lap Superbike outing proved an enthralling affair, with Hutchinson, Anstey and Dunlop battling for the lead throughout the race. Hutchinson held second for the opening half of the race, with the trio trading places regularly over the final few laps. Able to pull a gap over the final lap, the Tyco BMW star crossed the line first to claim the victory by 0.2 seconds.
Saving it until the final run to the flag in the second Supersport race, Hutchinson ensured it was a grandstand finish, claiming victory on his TTC Yamaha by just over 0.1 seconds ahead of William Dunlop, making it a METZELER 1-2 finish.
Rounding out the day in style, Ian Hutchinson and Tyco BMW doubled up on Superbike victories, setting a new Ulster Grand Prix lap record on the final circulation in the process. Hutchy’s lap of 3:18.704 was set on the METZELER RACETEC™RR slicks and with an average speed of 134.089 mph it makes Hutchy the fastest Road Racer in the world!
The last round of the road racing season for METZELER will be the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, scheduled on November 17-20, 2016.
More, from a press release issued by Devitt RC Express Racing:
Strong Ulster GP for Devitt RC Express Racing
The Bristol-based Devitt RC Express Racing Kawasaki team were back in road race action this week at the Ulster Grand Prix, the final International road race of the season, and it proved to be a strong meeting for the team with riders Steve Mercer and Jamie Coward taking a succession of top class results.
With regular team members Ivan Lintin and Alan Bonner continuing to recover from injury, Mercer and Coward were more than able deputies and they opened their account for the week with eighth and ninth respectively in Thursday’s shortened Dundrod 150 Superbike race.
Saturday was the feature Ulster Grand Prix race day and weather conditions improved considerably from the mist and damp that had blighted qualifying on Wednesday and Thursday. The first race was for the Superstock class where both riders had excelled in the damp on Thursday, Steve qualifying third and Jamie fourth.
The race itself saw Steve battling with four other riders for fourth place and although he had to settle for eighth at the chequered flag, a lap of 129.719mph on the Kawasaki ZX-10R showed how well he was riding. Jamie was one further place back in ninth having lapped at 128.459mph.
Next up for Maidstone’s Mercer was the seven-lap feature Superbike race and eighth was again the outcome, this time improving his best lap speed to 131.077mph. He saved the best until last though and although he finished one place further back in the second Superbike race, in ninth, he set a new personal best lap of the 7.4-mile Dundrod circuit at a superb 131.432mph.
Coward, meanwhile, took 12th in the second Superbike race with another 128mph+ lap and he was also in action in the two Supersport 600cc races where he took a brace of 11ths with a best lap just under 124mph.
Steve Mercer: “It was all a bit last minute getting the deal together to stand in for Ivan and whilst it’s never nice taking a ride of an injured rider, it’s been a great week for me. I’m not the biggest fan of racing on the roads in the damp or wet but I’ve never felt as comfortable as what I did on the Kawasaki ZX-10R. The races themselves were held in a lot better weather and I’ve got to be pleased with my results. I’ve set comfortably my fastest ever lap on a road race circuit and the bike’s never missed a beat so a huge thank you to the team for the opportunity.”
Jamie Coward: “It’s been a good week and I’m pleased with how I performed and with the results and lap times I achieved. I’d like to think I’ve done a good job standing in for Alan and to finish in the top 12 in every race, in what was a high quality field, is very pleasing. I’ve set personal best lap times in every class and I can’t complain at all. The bikes are mega and I’ve really enjoyed my time with the team. I can’t thank them enough for all their support and help and they’ve certainly taken my riding to a new level.”
Ben Constable, Team Owner: “I can’t have asked for more from Steve or Jamie this week, they’ve both been a pleasure to work with. Steve had never seen the bike until Wednesday so to take four top ten finishes on the Superstock ZX-10R and lap at 131.4mph is an excellent return. Jamie has also enjoyed a strong, consistent week and he’s finished in the top 12 in all of the races on our bikes so it’s been a good week for the whole team.”
“We were also delighted to have Ian Ayre, Chief Executive of Liverpool Football Club, as a guest of the team at the Ulster GP this week and although conditions weren’t the greatest on Thursday, he thoroughly enjoyed his time at the event. He’s a huge motorbike fan and it’s great to have someone like Ian come along and support not just the Devitt RC Express Racing team but also motorcycling and road racing in general.”
The team now have a month’s break before contesting the Scarborough Gold Cup on September 24-25.
More, from a press release issued by Dan Cooper Racing:
Cooper claims maiden International road race win at Ulster GP
Stroud’s Daniel Cooper claimed his maiden International road race win on Saturday when he took a thrilling victory in the Supertwins race at the Ulster Grand Prix. The 28-year old was part of a terrific six-rider battle for the lead but he was ahead when it mattered most and an intelligent final lap saw him grab the win by just under half a second.
With injury having severely hindered his campaign at the Isle of Man TT races, Cooper and the SB Tuning Kawasaki were keen to end the International road race season on a high and although conditions in qualifying were far from ideal, the 7.4-mile Dundrod circuit was completely dry for the five-lap race on Saturday afternoon.
Having qualified in second place, Dan was keen to make the most of his front row start and from the moment the lights turned green it was clear that would be the case. Less than a second covered the leading six riders for the entire race with positions changing all the time but Dan never dropped lower than third place. Indeed, he led on numerous occasions and on the final lap, an overtaking manoeuvre at Jordan’s Cross put him in first place once more and with a strong second half to the lap, he duly took a brilliant win by just under half a second.
It was an excellent day for Dan all round as he finished inside the top 12 in all of his races, only beaten by the bigger, factory teams. Riding the SB Tuning BMW Superstock machine, Dan opened his account for the day with 11th in the Superstock race where he lapped at 127.367mph and then repeated the result in the feature Ulster Grand Prix Superbike race where he improved his personal best lap of the Dundrod circuit to 128.270mph.
He was also in action in the two six-lap Supersport races where he also enjoyed two excellent rides. Riding the SB Tuning Triumph on this occasion, Dan took a fine tenth place in the first encounter, just over three seconds adrift of eighth place, and he improved to ninth in the second race where he also set his best lap on a Supersport machine at 123.852mph.
Dan Cooper: “Winning the Supertwin race isn’t a bad way to end the day is it??!! We didn’t have any dry practice time on the bike so I didn’t know how hard to push to begin with and I decided to sit with the leading group in the early stages and let the race settle down. There were a few wild overtaking manoeuvres going on but I kept in the front three places for much of the race and knew if I could lead into the hairpin going into the final lap, I had a good chance of holding on. I was stronger from there to the start and finish than the other riders and the plan worked out perfectly.”
“It’s completed a really good day and having missed the majority of the TT, it’s nice to finish the International season with a good set of results. My lowest finish was 11th and I lapped at over 128mph on the big bike so although I was a little disappointed with the Supersport results – the bike was good out the turns but a little bit down on top end – I’ve got to be happy with how the meeting’s gone. The riders ahead of me in the Supersport and Superbike races were all part of the big, factory teams so we can’t complain at all. The team have done a mega job again and days like this make up for the earlier disappointments.”
Dan now returns to the Isle of Man for the Classic TT road races, which take place from August 20-29.
More, from a press release issued by GBmoto Racing Kawasaki:
BAD LUCK THWARTS GBMOTO PODIUM CHALLENGE AT ULSTER GRAND PRIX
Having shown strong pace throughout practice and qualifying, the GBmoto Racing Kawasaki team were confident heading into race day at the Ulster Grand Prix today, however a puncture and technical problems thwarted Peter Hickman from showing his true potential.
Despite damp weather affecting the opening practice and qualifying sessions, Peter Hickman was able to put his Superbike-spec Kawasaki ZX-10R in second place ahead of Superpole and the Superstock machine in ninth. With the new one-lap format Superpole being pushed back to Saturday, Hicky, as he known to his legions of fans, powered the Superbike around the seven mile circuit to claim third place and a front row start for the two main races.
Enjoying a fantastic start in the Superstock race, he leapt off from his third row starting position to lead at the halfway point around the opening lap. Crossing the start line at the beginning of lap two in second place narrowly behind eventual winner Hutchinson, disaster soon struck and, just like in the corresponding race at the Isle of Man TT, a puncture forced him to retire at the end of lap two.
Confident of a better showing in the opening Superbike race, Peter again enjoyed a fantastic start to be involved in a four rider battle for the lead. Setting the fastest lap of the race on the third circulation, just 0.1s outside the lap record and a stunning 133.99mph average, it looked set to be a nail biting finish. Unfortunately a technical fault towards the end of lap five forced him to retire.
Following the technical fault in the opening race, Peter started the final Superbike race using his Superstock ZX-10R machine. Enjoying a strong opening lap to run fourth over the line, he was just unable to stay with the higher power of the Superbikes, taking the chequered flag in a credible seventh place. His overall race time however was faster than the Superstock winning time from earlier in the day.
Hickman was however able to climb the rostrum in the second Supersport outing, carving his way through the field over the closing stages to claim third.
Disappointed, Peter Hickman said, “It’s been a tough day, I felt I could have won the stock race this morning, was leading from the first corner but halfway through lap one I knew I had an issue. Turns out it was a rear puncture. The Supersport races went well, I was a bit too tentative in first race at start as it was still wet and got a podium in the second. The Superbike race went well, I was comfortable and running with the leaders no problem, then had a technical problem with the bike. I recorded the fastest lap of the race though at 133.892mph and clocked 199.8mph through the speed trap.. Last race was tough on the stocker in the Superbike race, 7th was as much as I can do!”
GBmoto Racing Team Principal Mark Smith-Halvorsen concluded, “Today has been a day where Peter Hickman rode as well as anybody, but didn’t get what he deserved out of it. A fantastic podium on the 600, two fastest race laps, including a 133.9mph Superbike lap and a race time on a the Superstock bike late on, that would have won earlier in the day – means it’s a day of what ifs. Thanks to everybody that backed our effort, we will be doing things differently ahead of the Macau GP.”