Ulster Grand Prix
Venue: Dundrod Date: Saturday, 14 August Start 1030 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC Sport website plus BBC Radio Ulster; highlights on BBC One Sunday 2225 BST and Tuesday 2235  Ian Hutchinson became the first rider to win five TTs in a week |
Having become the first rider to win five Isle of Man TT races in one week, Yorkshire rider Ian Hutchinson now has Phillip McCallen's Ulster Grand Prix record of five wins in a day very much in his sights. McCallen bettered McCallen's 14-year-old record of four TT successes within seven days when he secured a clean sweep of the solo classes in June, but believes it will be even more difficult to overhaul the Portadown rider's Dundrod benchmark. "To win so many races in one day is perhaps an even bigger challenge, but it's one I'm up for," said Hutchinson. "Dundrod is a fast, flowing, high speed circuit which I really enjoy - it's a real riders' circuit, and one that is different from anywhere else we compete at. "The racing's always so close and competitive and the fans are very knowledgeable - they really know their road racing," added the Bingley rider. The 31-year-old will compete in both Superbike races, two Supersport events and the Superstock race as he aims to add to his tally of two wins on the County Antrim course. He won a rain-sodden feature Superbike race in 2007 and then took the honours in a closely-fought two-part Superstock event last year.  | It helps that I'm with the same team for both roads and circuits |
Hutchinson currently holds the lap record for the Grand Prix itself at 133.23mph, although Manxman Conor Cummins recorded a slightly faster speed in last year's Dundrod 150 Superbike race. Since his triumphant TT week, the Padgett's Honda rider has been back in action on the short circuits, competing in the British Supersport championship, and surviving a few crashes along the way. "I've had a few 'offs' but that's what happens in circuit racing as you are pushing the limits that little bit further. "I don't find any real difficulty in reverting from roads to circuits or vice versa, with the only big difference being the change in tyres. "It helps that I'm with the same team for both roads and circuits, and I couldn't ask for more from Clive Padgett and the boys - they've done everything I could've asked from them this year. "Nothing has really changed a great deal for me since the TT - I guess I've been in demand from the fans and the media a bit more and I've been doing more interviews. "But I don't feel any more pressure than usual - I'll just do what I want to do and hopefully I will be fast enough." The Bingley rider will face stiff competition from the likes of Guy Martin, Ryan Farquhar, Keith Amor and William and Michael Dunlop but will concentrate on his own race. "All the races will be tough at the 'Ulster' and I don't think I have a better chance in one than the others, I'll just be trying my best to take as many wins as I can," added road racing's man of the moment.
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