Ulster team owner Wilson Craig is aiming to branch out in 2013 as he plots a course to his maiden victory at the Isle of Man TT after a successful campaign this season.

William Dunlop gave the Co Londonderry businessman his maiden wins on the international stage this year at the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix.

The Ballymoney rider, who parted company from Craig in an amicable split before joining Shaun Muir’s British championship Milwaukee Yamaha team for next season, covered himself in glory at the North West with a win over circuit specialist Alastair Seeley in the Supersport class.

Dunlop also put the Craig Honda on the top step at Dundrod, beating wily Kiwi Bruce Anstey in the opening Supersport race, but a prized triumph on the Mountain course continued to elude Craig.

Australia’s Cameron Donald gave Island king John McGuinness an early fright in the Superbike race at the TT in June before the Morecambe star pulled away to sew up his 18th victory.

Donald then went agonisingly close in a sensational Supersport showdown, missing out by less than a second to fellow Honda rider Anstey on Clive Padgett’s Honda.

He remains in Craig’s colours for a third year, but Craig may consider a second rider to replace Dunlop after revealing he was open to approaches from potential title backers of his team.

“My bikes are being prepared and they’re ready to go,” he told the News Letter.

“The bikes will be prepared to the highest possible specification and I’ve been inundated with riders looking to ride my bikes, but I’ve been sitting back and looking at the whole situation - I’m not someone who goes chasing riders.

“Cameron was the first choice to go racing with but if a sponsor came on board in the morning it could change things and we could run another rider.

“I would consider tying up with a sponsor for next year,” added Craig.

“Cameron won’t be far away - he was the only rider to really push John McGuinness on the Superbike this year and we had a few things up our sleeves for the Senior, but unfortunately it didn’t run due to the weather.

“We showed what we could do at the North West 200, the TT and the Ulster Grand Prix and we put some of the other so-called big teams to shame,” he said.

“William has left my team and he’s with a good team now on good bikes, so I wish him all the best for next year.”




By Kyle White
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