By Richard Petrie BBC Sport

Ryan Farquhar is the latest in a long line of top road racers to emerge from Northern Ireland.

The 27-year-old has already demonstrated his pedigree by winning the Senior Manx Grand Prix in 2000 on the demanding Isle of Man Mountain Circuit.

Ryan Farquhar hopes for a good season in 2003

He followed that up with an impressive debut at the TT Races on the same course in June last year.

The Dungannon man has also been on the rostrum at the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix international races and has won a number of national races in his native country.

Farquhar began racing in 1993 on a TZ350 Yamaha and then won the Clubmans Championship for novice riders a year later.

He first raced on public roads at the Cookstown 100 in 1995 and initially specialised in the 250cc class.

"I lost a couple of friends through fatalities on the roads but my passion for the sport has always been there, although I also enjoy doing some circuits," explained Farquhar.

The Mountain Course is my favourite circuit and I love riding round it Ryan Farquhar

When Cumbrian road racer Bob Jackson suffered serious injuries in an accident in 1998, Ryan inherited his sponsorship with the successful McAdoo Racing Team.

The next year proved to be a frustrating one as he struggled to cope with riding a wide range of machinery from 125cc to 750cc.

"I just had too many bikes and was struggling to set them up and come to terms with riding four-strokes after so many years on a 250.

"The next year we decided to concentrate on the 600 and 750 bikes and I felt I was progressing and getting some good results."

The 2001 season was cancelled due to fears about the spread of foot-and-mouth disease but Ryan returned to the saddle in 2002 on a Yamaha R1 and a 600cc Kawasaki.

"I felt particularly comfortable on the R1 and it is probably the best bike I have ever ridden.

"I had top three finishes at the North West and the Ulster Grand Prix but struggled a bit at the TT.

"I set my sights very high for the Island races and although I had some good finishes, things just did not work out as I had hoped.

'Main target'

"I could have been third in the Supersport 600 race but had to settle for fifth due to a fault with the bike.

"I also got petrol in my eyes in the Production 600 event which did not help my chances."

Farquhar will ride a 1000cc Suzuki and a 600cc Kawasaki this season at all the major national and international events.

"My season in 2003 will be based around the TT and I am determined to earn a rostrum spot. That is my main target for the year."

"The Mountain Course is my favourite circuit and I love riding round it. My fastest lap so far is 123.50mph and I hope to better that.

"The Southern 100 on the Isle of Man is another of my favourite meetings as the organising club are very helpful and the organisation is good."