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The Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club having had our first club meeting since UGP Bike Week powered by the Belfast Telegraph, unanimously agreed on our intention to run Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week 2009 from August 10th – 15th . Messages of support and donations which the Club have received are numerous and from all over the British Isles and further a field, this was just the tonic we needed to continue after 12 months of extremely hard work with no reward on UGP Saturday.

Bike Week 2008 is now gone and although we have an extremely heavy financial burden to carry, the Club are currently meeting with various people from both the public and private sector not only to alleviate the problems we are faced with from this year’s event, but also to secure the long term future of the world’s fastest road race. Reflection on the 2008 race week made the Club Members realise that we owe a huge thank you for your patience to sponsors, riders, fans, press, and most importantly the marshals and first aid personnel who stayed at their posts enduring the foulest of weather without complaint, you really are an amazing group of people and the Dundrod Club will always be in your debt.

Bike Week 2009 will be no easy task, however to let the Ulster Grand Prix die would be a major mistake not only all road racers and fans, but also for Northern Ireland as the “Prix” brings in much needed revenue for the local economy, and showcases “Our Wee Country” worldwide with TV exposure to 500 million homes around the globe.

Promotion of the UGP needs positive words and actions and we are delighted to say that is already evident in the ranks of the Ulster Grand Prix Supporters Club. Once again they are going to back the “Ulster” and are currently approaching one of the schools in the Dundrod area to design next years badge and car sticker, an idea which proved to be extremely popular and successful last year. The badges will hopefully be ready in early December, and from then on the Supporters Club will be actively seeking members old and new. Revenue raised by the Supporters Club is a huge lifeline to the “Prix” and without it this international road race would have been consigned to history many years ago, so we urge all road race fans to do their bit and join the UGP supporters Club.

Lisburn City Council is also a major player in the promotion of Bike Week especially the Leisure Services Department who are already working very closely with us to ensure the ’09 races get off the ground. Realistically the Council can do no more than they have in previous years, but then again their ingenuity and willingness to help us pushes the boundaries back annually and the Club appreciates greatly everything they do for us.
In conclusion the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club will do everything in our power to promote UGP Bike Week 2009 and will keep everyone updated as our plans for ’09 fall into place.

Footnote
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Great news. I always try to get over, even if it's just a quick fly job. Will try for '09.

Rob