Stunning Ulster GP Bike Week for Amor
Scots ace Keith Amor had one of his best ever week's of road racing when he finished on the podium in all six of his races at the Ulster GP Bike Week. The KBMG Racing rider was in imperious form and he was able to take his second ever International Road Race win (his first at the Ulster GP), a win in the Dundrod 150 Superbike race and a brace of seconds and thirds in his remaining four races. Quite simply, Amor was brilliant all week around the high-speed Dundrod circuit.
Thursday’s Dundrod 150 Superbike race set the trend for the week when he was embroiled in a terrific tussle with Ian Hutchinson but when the Honda rider retired on the third lap, Keith was able to take his Superstock BMW, simply fitted with slick tyres, to a commanding 4.75s win, also setting the fastest lap of the race.
With fine weather on Saturday for the Ulster GP proper, Keith led the first four laps of the Superstock race only for Hutchinson to take over a lap later. The duo were over 8 seconds clear of the rest of the pack and when Keith re-took the lead on the penultimate lap we were all set for a thrilling finale. However, the red flag came out and with the result going back a lap, Keith had to settle for second place. The first Supersport 600cc race saw the duo joined by Michael Dunlop and again Keith led the first four laps before Hutchinson pushed him back to second and he ended the race just 0.176s adrift on the Kojak Racing Honda. Next up was the feature Superbike race where the same pattern emerged. Lapping at over 133mph, Keith led early on once more before being pushed back to second by nemesis Hutchinson and at the chequered flag, the Suzuki of Bruce Anstey had relegated him to third as they encountered some backmarkers although there was just 0.422s between the trio at the end of the 6 laps.
The second Supersport race saw a four-way battle between Keith, Hutchinson and Michael and William Dunlop with positions changing throughout. The race was held in two 3-lap legs due to an incident and, lying second after the first 3 laps, Keith had to get the better of Hutchinson by half a second to get the win on aggregate. It was nip and tuck all the way between the quartet but Keith wasn’t to be denied and after hitting the front on the final lap, he got the overall verdict over Hutchinson by 0.210s for his first ever Ulster GP win.
The final race of the day was the second Superbike race and it was nothing short of sensational as Keith battled it out with Hutchinson, Anstey, Cameron Donald and Guy Martin. Second on each of the first four laps, there was literally inches between the riders as they lapped at record-breaking speeds but, after a last lap sort-out, Keith had to settle for third place on the BMW behind race winner Anstey and Hutchinson with just 0.335s separating them at the end of the five laps. Keith also posted a personal best lap of 133.435mph to round out a truly memorable day.
Talking later, Keith commented; "Wow, what a day! The racing was nothing short of awesome and after winning the Dundrod 150, I was really ‘up’ for the Ulster GP races. I was disappointed with the Superstock result at the start of the day though as I'd made a break in the early stages. Even though Ian pulled me back, I knew where I was stronger than him so the plan was just to tuck in behind him and make a move on the last lap but the last lap never came. In the first Supersport race, I got the lead in the early laps but there was absolutely nothing between the bikes and there was simply no chance to make a break. I got in to the lead again on the final lap but made a little mistake on the third last corner and was too defensive which allowed him to come round me. It was a really enjoyable race though."
"In the first Superbike race, I felt really strong leading but luck was again against me as I caught the backmarkers on the last lap simply at the wrong place at the wrong time and the rest of the boys went flying by. It wasn't easy out there on a Superstock bike against all the Superbikes but I rode my heart out and it gave it everything I had. The second Supersport was a real battle and it was relief more than anything to get the win. Aggregate races are never are easy and I was fortunate that the two Dunlops got involved to mix it up a bit and I was just determined to cross the line first and it felt really good to take my first International Supersport victory on the Honda. Overall, it was an enjoyable day’s racing and whilst I naturally would have liked to have taken one or two more wins I’m sure it must have been fantastic for the spectators. I just want to say a big thank you to everyone involved with the team who’s helped me this weekend especially all the boys at Dunlop, Charles Hurst BMW (Belfast), Dyce Carriers of Aberdeen, Boyce Precision Engineering and SBS brake pads."
Pictures by Alan Armstrong Photography
Phil Wain
Freelance PR
