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2004 Club Diary
The Ulster Superbike Show The UGPSC will once again be attending the now famous Superbike Show in the Kings Hall Belfast. Stand 34 in the main hall. Come along and say hello. The event will be held on the 27th, 28th and 29th of November 2004. Last years show was a great success and this 2004 event promises to be even better. Former 125 and 250 current
MotoGP Marlboro Ducati rider Loris Capirossi will be making his first visit to
Ireland. Joining him over
the weekend is our own British Superbike champion John Reynolds, as it’s a
tradition for the British Superbike champion to open the show and there’s no
more better man than Reynolds. Having won both races at Mondello Park he knows
how popular he is in Ireland and is keen to meet up with his fans again. Joining
Reynolds on the stage will be his championship rival Michael Rutter who will be
best remembered this year for clocking over 200mph at the North West 200.
KING'S
HALL, BELFAST Friday
26, Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 November 2004 Ireland’s
Biggest premier motorcycle exhibition The
biggest ever crowd in the eighth year of the Irish Motorcycle and Superbike show
attended the King’s Hall in Belfast. The
organisers have announced the dates for Next Year’s show. Already
exhibitors have booked space for next year.2004 promises to be the biggest and
best show ever run at the King’s Hall More
Manufacturers More Bikes Where?
Where else… The
Irish Motorcycle & Superbike Show, Enquiries
to Rollins Promotions
Rod Organ MotorBike Art The Club is delighted to announce that we will be promoting the fantastic motor bike art of the world famous artist Rod Organ. Club secretary Chris Mc Donald arranged the final details with Rod just before he jetted of to Kentucky USA. The Club will display selected prints for sale at various events including road race meetings throughout the racing calendar. It is hoped that members and visitors to the Club Trailer will be impressed by the super quality prints on offer and decide to purchase a print or two. The Club will benefit by a commission payment agreed with Rod Organ. This is a new venture for the Club and could provide a means of valuable income, please come along to the Trailer and view these superb limited edition prints. You Will Be Impressed. A new Rod Organ page has been added to the web-site with various prints on offer, just click the "Rod Organ" button on the Home Page.
Sam Glass Memorial Trophy 2004 At a special Dundrod Club presentation night in the Ballymac Hotel on Thursday night 2nd September UGPSC members gathered together to present the first ever Sam Glass Memorial Trophy Sadly the UGPSC Superbike Race was not run due to time restrictions on race day, however the committee decided that the new Trophy should be presented to the best newcomer in the UGP Superbike race. Club Secretary and Club treasurer, Chris and Paul presented the trophy to the best newcomer, Guy Martin who finished sixth overall in the main event. A delighted Guy Martin said that this was the "Best ever Trophy " he had yet won and that it would take pride of place on his mothers side board. He did not mention if he was prepared to share the £500 cheque that accompanied the trophy, but we are sure he will spend it wisely. Chairman Des Stewart stated that it was a pleasure to see a most popular newcomer winning the prestigious event, and looked forward to Guy defending the title in 2005.
Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week 16 th - 21 st August 2004 The first ever UGP Bike Week got of to a super start on Monday 16 th, the sun beamed down on the Super - Moto, contestants and the large crowd enjoyed fantastic motorcycle action around a purpose built track. On the Tuesday night many hundreds of racing fans enjoyed a special invitation Mini-Moto event with special guests Jeremy Mc Williams and Liam Haslem. The racing on these miniature racing machines was quite spectacular and everyone enjoyed a thrilling night of fast and furious action. Sadly the scheduled practice for the Dundrod 150 Road Race had to be cancelled due to torrential rain that flooded the circuit on Wednesday 18 th. Everyone agreed that this was the worst weather ever seen around Dundrod. Thursday 19 th August was to be the Dundrod 150 Road Races followed by official practice for the "Ulster", sadly the organisers had to cancel all racing for the day, however a restricted practice did take place later in the afternoon when the rains finally let up. Friday 20 th saw the sun return to Dundrod, thousands flocked to the circuit to witness a fantastic vintage rally with hundred of super cars and motorcycles on display. The atmosphere around the paddock was super and everyone had their fingers crossed for the sun to shine on Saturday. Saturday morning at Dundrod was sunny and quite warm, everyone was in good spirits and eagerly awaiting the start of a super days racing. The production 1000's machines started the day at 10.30am the large crowd in the grandstand cheered as the bikes roared of the starting line, sadly the race was red flagged on the first lap and it was later learned that there was a major accident at Wheelers. Sadly newcomer, 25 year old Andy Wallace was seriously injured in the accident at Wheelers and died later in hospital from his injuries. Andy was distend for stardom within the sport, his untimely death is a sad end to such a promising career. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends in this their time of sorrow. A number of other riders were also injured in the accident and we all wish them a speedy recovery. Racing was delayed for nearly two hours which meant the day was severely hampered due to the time restrictions. Regrettably a few more races were also red flagged resulting in the cancellation of the final superbike race. The Ulster Grand Prix 2004 will be remembered as a sad day for many reasons but credit must go to the Dundrod Club for their vision and dedication to the event. Their idea of running a Bike Week was in general a success, sadly the weather and other unforeseen tragic events on the day will never allow us to forget how cruel the sport we love can be.
Club Trailer Greets Dundrod Visitors The Supporters Club launched their new Club Trailer at this years Ulster Grand Prix Bike week. Situated in a prominent position in the paddock area the Club Trailer welcomed visitors to the UGP Bike week. Committee members manned the trailer all through the bike week festival and were happy to report nothing but encouraging comments from all of the many thousands of visitors. Club Chairman Des Stewart commented "It's great that the Club has now got it's own purpose built home, I hope that members and visitors will soon become familiar with the trailer at various race meeting throughout the coming years and will be happy to call in for a chat"
Please support our Trailer Sponsors
Chairman, Des Stewart Announces 2004 Funding At a press conference hosted by the UGPSC on Monday night 26 th July in the Lisburn Island Complex, Club Chairman Des Stewart announced the Club's funding for the 2004 Ulster Grand Prix. Speaking to a packed hall the Chairman informed everyone that the Ulster Grand Prix Supporters Club would be donating £25.000 towards the running of this years race. He was happy to finally release the long awaited news to the gathered press and pointed out that this was a 25% increase on last years figure. The chairman also advised that the Club has now donated approximately £800,000 since it's formation in 1963, a figure all Club members should be very proud of. The Chairman also announced that as in 2003 the Club would once again have a Superbike race at this years meeting which would be the last race on the UGP Saturday program. He Thanked the Dundrod Club for this kind consideration. The UGPSC would also be presenting a new trophy to be known as the "Sam Glass Memorial Trophy", a rose bowl, replica and £500 will be awarded to the best Newcomer in this final race of the day. The chairman also announced the launch of a new "Club Trailer" an impressive 25ft trailer which it was hoped would become a focal point at various race meetings North and South throughout the racing calendar. He advised that the trailer was for the membership, a place to come and have a chat and listen to all the paddock news etc, it will of course always be open to all racing spectators who wished to join the Supporters Club and he hoped that everyone will recognise the Supporters Club's continued commitment to this wonderful event. The chairman ended the conference by wishing the race promoters, the competitors and all spectators a successful, safe and enjoyable Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week.
Stannifer Snoddon U.G.P. Bike Week Launched At a press conference on Monday night 21st June in the Lisburn Leisureplex, Lisburn City Council in partnership with the Dundrod & District Motorcycle Club Launched the Stannifer Snoddon Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week 2004. Speaking on behalf of the Lisburn City Council Deputy Mayor and UGPSC member Cecil Calvert said, "Lisburn City Council is proud to continue in its support of the Ulster Grand Prix demonstrating the growing strength of the event. I would like to congratulate the Dundrod Club for their long term commitment to road racing by developing this event into the Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week and for keeping alive the Dundrod !50 road race." Speaking on behalf of the Dundrod & District Motorcycle Club Race Co-Ordinator Leslie Moore said, " with six weeks to go before the closing date for entries, I am delighted to report that we are already up 70% on this same corresponding time last year and will again have a world wide line up at the Ulster and Dundrod 150 races in 2004. This year's event again has the makings of being the best real road racing meeting of the season and in these final five weeks I will be working hard to secure the best line-up of international riders for the Ulster Grand Prix and Dundrod 150 races."
Ulster Grand Prix Working Group. At a press conference on Monday night 21st June in the Lisburn Leisureplex Alderman Ivan Davis launched the new Ulster Grand Prix Working Group. The group has been set up to drive forward the event with a strategic partnership approach. The Group is made up of Lisburn City Council, The Ulster Grand Prix Supporters Club, the 2 & 4 Wheeled Motor Sport Steering Group, The Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the Dundrod & District Motorcycle Club. The aim of the Working Group is to provide a vison for the development plan both for the Dundrod Circuit and the Ulster Grand Prix event as a whole.
Dundrod MCC announce more details. At a press conference on Tuesday night 20th April in the Ballymac Hotel Dundrod Club Secretary Leslie Moore announced further details of the much awaited Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week 2004.
Annual Grand Draw Click on the Grand Draw Page to the Left to see if you are one of this Years Lucky Winners. The Welsh Wizard, Ian Lougher picked out the five lucky winning tickets at the Lisburn Island Complex on Wednesday 10th March.
Left to right: Tom Best, Vice Chairman. Ian Lougher. Des Stewart, Chairman. Paul McGovern, Treasurer. Andy Pinkerton, President.
The Ballymoney Motor-cycle Show The Clubs now annual pilgrimage to the Joey Dunlop Leisure Complex in Ballymoney took place last week-end the 27 th & 28 th February. As usual the show was well attended with visitors finding lots to see and do. Stephen and Trudy Blair represented the Club over the week-end and thanks to their sterling efforts they managed to signed up nearly 100 new members. Our thanks once again go to Davy Louden for the invitation to attend this super show and also a special thank you to all our old friends who dropped by to say hello. See you all again next year.
Ulster Grand Prix Nostalgia Night Sunday 7th March from 6.00pm The Ballymac Hotel, Dundrod As expected Joey Dunlop -
winner of 24 Ulster Grand Prix races - features strongly in a special ‘Ulster
Grand Prix Nostalgia Night’. In its 82nd year the Ulster Grand Prix is
Ireland’s oldest remaining international road race and it has many historical
facts. The Ulster Grand Prix
Supporters Club will be there to sell you the latest 2004 badges and give advice
on their older badges worth. As mentioned earlier Joey
takes centre stage as you can enjoy his victories on the Rothmans Formula One
Honda, 500 race battle with Roger Marshall, his great comeback battle against
his brother Robert’s JPS Norton in 1990, the very close battle with Phillip
McCallen where they even touched on the last lap in 1994 and his hat-trick in
1995. All historical occasions, which you can see all the races in one night and
you can also purchase any of the video’s on the night at a special price.
The Ulster Motor-Cycle Show The Club attended the Nutt Promotions and Enkalon Club Motorcycle show held over 4 days at the St Georges Markets Belfast. The event was a great success with over 200 new members signed up. As usual the stand was well presented and looked quite smart. Tom Best and Popeye were in attendance every night and they were well supported by various other members of the committee. Well done everyone concerned. It was also nice to see Stephen Blair back again after his short stay in hospital, it looks as if he is getting better and looking forward to Ballymoney this coming Friday and Saturday. Don't forget to call in and say hello.
2003 Annual General Meeting The Forty First Annual General Meeting took place in the Chestnut Suite, The Lisburn Island Civic Center Lisburn at 8.00pm Wednesday 4 th February. Sadly just over 20 members attended this years meeting which was a very disappointing response. However, the Club Chairman Des Stewart welcomed everyone and went on to give his report on the events through-out the year. The Chairman thanked everyone for their help and support and hoped that the 2004 Ulster Grand Prix would be as great as the 2003 event. Norman Morrow informed the meeting that he would be standing down as Club President, he went on to explain that he felt that it was time for a change and expressed his thanks to the committee for all their support over the years. Sadly long term member Charlie Hunter also informed the meeting that he was standing down from the committee. Everyone in the hall thanked both men for all their years of service to the club and wished them well for the future. The membership at the AGM then set about electing the following members to these Office Positions: Club President: Andy Pinkerton. Club Chairman: Desmond Stewart. Vice Chair: Tom Best. Hon Treasurer: Paul Mc Govern. Asst Treasurer: Andy Pinkerton. Hon Secretary: Chris Mc Donald. Asst Secretary: Stephen Blair. A number of new members we elected to the Management Committee and a full list of Committee members will be listed in due course. The Club President congratulated everyone on their election and expressed that with this new team in place the Club would continue to flourish and continue to support our one aim "The Ulster Grand Prix"
2003 Annual General Meeting The Forty First Annual General Meeting is scheduled to take place in the Chestnut Suite, The Lisburn Island Civic Center Lisburn at 8.00pm Wednesday 4 th February. All club members will have received by post a copy of the meeting agenda along with a copy of the Secretary's and Treasurer's annual reports. All members are welcome to attend.
Motorcycle Exhibitions Results The 2004 Membership campaign got of to a great start when nearly 500 members were signed up at the motorcycle show in the Kings Hall and also at a motorcycle show in Muckamore County Antrim. A fantastic result and well done all who helped make it a super weekend.
UGPSC Receive Special Award The Dundrod & District Motorcycle Club announced that they have awarded the Gerry Bill Memorial Trophy for Services to Motorcycling for 2003 to the Ulster Grand Prix Supporters Club. The presentation took place at a recent press conference held by the DDMCC, after receiving the award the UGPSC secretary Chris (Popeye) Mc Donald said he was delighted to accept the award on behalf of the hard working committee members and the Clubs loyal membership. Popeye congratulated the DDMCC for their continued support of the "Ulster" and thanked everyone who helped in making the 2003 Ulster Grand Prix one of the best events for many years. Along with the spectacular trophy came a cheque for £100 to be donated to a charity of the clubs choice, the UGPSC Committee decided to award the £100 to the NI Injured Riders Fund.
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