WERA Racer/NESBA rider Brandon Cretu confirms racing at Ulster Grand Prix in Ireland American Brandon Cretu has been accepted as an entry by the Dundrod & District Motorcycle Club to race in the Ulster Grand Prix in Belfast, Ireland, August 15. Brandon will one of the only U.S. racers competing in the event against the some of the best “real road” racers from Ireland, Europe, and the rest of the world. A little over a year ago, Cretu traveled to the Isle of Man to work for John Richards’ Pro Superbike team, instantly fell in love with “real road” racing and knew it was his ultimate goal in riding & racing motorcycles. While at the TT Cretu learned everything he could from both riders on the team–Mike and John Crellin–who are also natives of the island.

Racing in the IOM TT is Cretu’s ultimate goal but he believes the Ulster GP is the best first step to take. The Ulster GP is touted as the world’s fastest “real road” race. Using public roads that are closed down for racing use during the week of the Ulster, this circuit is known as the “Dundrod” and is a little over 7 miles long. Cretu will be the first to admit he is far from the best racer around but he’s determined to go over to the Ulster GP and represent the U.S. in a professional manner.

Cretu has done a lot with his limited time and budget in racing. Most people who know him have seen him haul his racebike in a van he bought off ebay for $600. In his first year racing (2006) he won a WERA Regional Novice Championship and has been progressing rapidly as an expert racer each year since. He earned a top-5 finish in only his second expert race of the 2007 season and has been quickly dropping his lap times. In July 2007 Cretu was involved in a devastating accident in which he suffered a severely broken neck. He was homebound for nearly four months and in rehab for another three months before he was cleared to participate in “normal” activities, although his doctors told him to never ride as much as a bicycle ever again.

Cretu took the needed time off and came back to the racing grid in 2009 stronger than ever. He has managed a podium finish and a top-5 finish in the first two rounds of his 2009 season against some seasoned AMA and WERA National competitors. Now he is counting down the days until he leaves for Ireland and competes in his first ever “real road” race. Cretu said, “I am very excited for this awesome opportunity. Just being able to ride with some of the best real road racers out there and competing in an international event is a dream come true. This will definitely be a big challenge, I have never actually raced in a real road race but have studied the course extensively and seen this type of racing first-hand while I worked at the TT last year so I know what I’m in for. The next couple of weeks will be stressful as I count down the days and try to come up with more funding but I’m eager to make my way overseas and compete in the Ulster GP. My number one goal is to enjoy myself and be safe, number two is to qualify! One thing I can say after being involved in my accident is, know what your dreams are in life, and realize that you are capable of doing anything you commit yourself to. Live life to its fullest!”

Cretu’s primary sponsors for the 2009 season and the Ulster GP include Mark Hamilton, NESBA, Spyder Leatherworks, Panolin, Vortex, RK and Drippinwet.com. Cretu would also like to thank the following people for helping him along the way whether it be with simple advice or more than that: Mark Hamilton, NESBA, Aaron Brown-AB1 Motorsports, John Richards/Pro Superbikes, Mike and John Crellin, Keith Dattisman-Rat Rocket Endurance, Jimmy Vanderhaar and a special thank you to all his friends/family for being there for him through everything! Cretu is still in dire need of financial assistance for this endeavor. Any amount helps, from $5 to $500. All donations will be used solely for the purpose of competing in the Ulster GP, whether it’s for tires or fuel. Those interested in providing financial support, can send money via paypal to [email protected] and placing “Brandon UGP donation” in the message box. There is a link for donations on Brandon’s website, www.brandoncreturacing.com as well. Please check on Brandon’s website and blog for updates as the race comes closer. Check out the following websites for more information on Brandon’s racing exploits and the Ulster Grand Prix…. www.brandoncreturacing.com www.ulstergrandprix.net