Gordon Crockard has said that he hopes to compete in six rounds of this year's Ulster Motocross Championship.

The Newtowards rider finished third in last year's World 250cc Championship but he has still promised to support the local scene this season.

The news came on the evening that the Motorcycle Racing Association announced a record �47,000 sponsorship for this season's Ulster and Irish Championships.

Three rounds of the Irish Championship will be staged in Northern Ireland.

Quad racing will also benefit from the increased sponsorship.

The Ulster Premier Motocross Championship starts on Saturday at Desertmartin while the Irish series begins at Seaforde on 6 April.

Crockard's rivals in the premier series will include last year's champion Tommy Merton plus Philip McCullough and Adam Lyons.