McGuinness set to shine

By Richard Petrie
BBC Sport

McGuinness is looking to break his duck around the Dundrod circuit

John McGuinness will hope to score his first Ulster Grand Prix success on only his second visit to the Dundrod circuit on Saturday - weather permitting.

The Morecambe rider, a triple winner at the Isle of Man TT in June, rides the Hawk Kawasaki on which he competes in the British Superbike Championship.

McGuinness also has Yamaha machinery for the Production 1000, Production 600 and Supersport 600 classes.

He finished third in the Production 600 category on his debut last year.

This year's event boasts the highest quality field assembled for many years and an amalgamation with the Dundrod 150 national races, which will be run on Thursday, adds a further dimension.

Adrian Archibald leads the Northern Ireland challenge aboard the TAS Suzukis on which he has enjoyed so much success in recent seasons.

The Ballymoney man has not been in competitive action since winning the Senior TT in June but improvements have been made to his machines and he may be the man to beat.

Archibald currently holds the lap record for the circuit at 128.504mph and has expressed a liking for the course.

His team-mate Bruce Anstey took the honours in the Production 1000 event last year and will be eager to add to his tally this year.

Dromore-based Welshman Ian Lougher is another who has excelled at this race and will be a contender in each of the classes he contests on his fleet of Hondas.

He will start as favourite for the Supersport 600 race, having acquired the services of the bike ridden by Karl Harris in the British Championship series.

Jason Griffiths represents Yamaha's best hope of success while Kiwi Shaun Harris should also be in contention.

Farquhar looking for his first win around Dundrod on Kawasaki

Ulsterman Ryan Farquhar could follow up his win at the TT by recording his first 'Ulster' success on the Kawasakis.

His best hope of victory may come in the two 600cc races but compatriot Richard Britton may have to settle for podium places after an indifferent season.

Dubliner Martin Finnegan has shown his credentials with some fine results on the Irish roads this season and cannot be discounted for some big results on Saturday.

Darran Lindsay, another rider who has been in fine form this summer, is forced to sit out the 'Prix' due to a broken wrist sustained in the North Monaghan road races.

Of particular interest this year will be the 125cc race with rumours rife that veteran Robert Dunlop is set to hang up his leathers at the end of the season.

If so, Dunlop will be keen to go out on a high but he faces stiff competition from Lougher and Englishman Chris Palmer.

A promising number of newcomers make their debut at the event this year, among them multiple North West 200 winner Callum Ramsay and former British Supersport rider Rob Frost.

Saturday's race schedule:

Roads close - 9.30am
Production 1000 (7 laps)
Production 600 (6 laps)
125/400 laps (5 laps)
UGP Superbike races (8 laps)
Supersport 600 (7 laps)
Classic Forgotten Era Race (5 laps)
UGP Superbike (7 laps)