Ryan Farquhar has once again claimed the Duke Road Race Rankings Series after another magnificent season riding his stable of KMR Kawasaki machines.

This is the sixth time in 10-years for the Dungannon rider to gain this accolade.

Farquhar will receive the ‘new’ Geoff Duke Trophy at the Adelaide Motorcycle Awards Night next month in Belfast.

He has the original trophy in his permanent collection having won the unique award outright after competing a hat-trick of title wins in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

His points tally for the past season of 3754 points were made up of 43 Rankings Race victories plus a further 11 podium finishes and another four top ten finishes.

In addition Ryan set 12 record and 27 fastest laps during the 23 round Duke series, which has just concluded its tenth year of competition.

Of all his race victories during the 2011 season, Ryan stated that winning the Steve Hensahw Gold Cup at Oliver’s Mount in September and becoming the first Ulsterman to do so was perhaps the most satisfying.


Second place went to William Dunlop with 2726 points, just 30 ahead of his brother Michael who accumulated 2696 points during the year.

Ian Lougher, the Dromara-based Welshman, who was the inaugural winner in 2002 and took the titles again in 2005 and 2006 finished in fourth place.

And during the past 10-years has never finished lower than sixth place!

John Burrows slotted into fifth place a climb of three places on the previous year while veteran Manxman Chris Palmer took sixth place and during the past decade has only dropped out of the top ten twice, both due to injury.

The Duke series began in April at Scarborough and moved on to Cookstown concluding last month with the Macau Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, at the monthly meeting of the Ulster Centre earlier this week around 15 competitors attended to voice their opinion on the controversial UC ‘control’ tyre two-year deal with Pirelli.

Mark Sanlon, convenor of the tarmac committee said,

“I had the honour of explaining the deal and prize fund to them. The first hour of the meeting was used to address questions and issues they have with the deal. There is one point that has to be address by Pirelli relating to 125 and 250cc machines.

“The competitors who attended did say they were not interested in prize funds or promotion of events, which runs against the grain of most clubs that try very hard in promoting events in conjunction with the press.

”After a long discussion it was agreed to hold a competitors meeting next Monday night in the Chimney Corner Hotel for all Ulster Centre Licence holders.

“There will then be a special Ulster Centre meeting the following Wednesday night to review the situation and the Pirelli deal.”

Finally, the Moira club and their new rider David Lumsden from Skerries have parted company even before a wheel has been turned!

On behalf of the Moira club which has been in existence for 30-years, the chairman Colly Walker issued the following statement:

“Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the Moira MRC and their chosen rider for 2012, David Lumsden, have agreed to an amicable parting.

“The club wish David all the best for the 2012 season.

“And a further announcement regarding the club’s future plans will be released in due course,” the statement added.

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