Ryan Farquhar will make the trip to Sunday’s final Irish road race of the season at Killalane to participate in a special parade lap along with fellow Dungannon rider John Burrows.

Farquhar announced his retirement from the sport last week and is keen to say goodbye to his legions fans for their support throughout his stellar career.

The 36-year-old had already revealed he intended to compete in a parade lap at the Gold Cup meeting at Scarborough in North Yorkshire next weekend, but was unable to confirm his attendance at Killalane in north County Dublin until the arrangements for the funeral of his uncle, Trevor Ferguson, were finalised.

Mr Ferguson (48), from Castlecaulfield in Co Tyrone, was killed in a crash at the Manx Grand Prix last Wednesday while competing on Farquhar’s KMR Kawasaki machine in the Supertwin race.

The race was won by Nigel Moore, also from Dungannon, who was riding in the famous KMR colours in the Isle of Man.

Farquhar and Burrows - who was a close friend of Mr Ferguson - will participate in the parade lap at Killalane on Mr Ferguson’s machines.

Burrows, a regular front runner at the national race meetings, will not race at the event.

Farquhar said: “I’d like to ride Trevor’s 750 Suzuki as it is sitting exactly the way it was before he was due to ride it in the Senior race at the Manx, except he never got the chance.”

The Ulster road racing star surpassed Isle of Man TT legend Joey Dunlop’s record tally of national race victories at Killalane in 2009 and could have achieved his 200th win on Sunday, but instead returns to the event in very different circumstances.

Currently poised on 199 Irish victories, Farquhar conceded that his goal of toppling the 200 mark “wasn’t meant to be.”

On Wednesday, Farquhar and Burrows led an escort for Mr Ferguson’s body from Belfast Port back to his home village of Castlecaulfield.

His funeral will take place on Friday at 2pm from the family home in Castlecaulfield, proceeding to Castlecaulfield Presbyterian Church for a 3pm service, followed by internment in the adjoining churchyard.

Donations in lieu to the Manx Grand Prix Helicopter Fund and Injured Riders Welfare Fund should be made payable to F Martin and Sons, Funeral Directors, 185 Ballygawley Rd, Dungannon, BT70 1RY.

Meanwhile, the organisers of the Country Crest Killalane road races this weekend have confirmed final details of the event.

Michael Dunlop tops the entry and will ride the Hunts Motorcycles/McAdoo Honda Fireblade in the Open and Grand Final races.

His older brother William will also be on the grid at Killalane, when he will challenge Michael for honours on Wilson Craig’s 600cc Honda in the Supersport class.

William has opted not to ride the Craig Honda Superbike this weekend, but will have his 125cc and 250cc Hondas in addition to his CBR600RR.

The entry list also includes Adrian Archibald, Michael Pearson, Derek Sheils and Brian McCormack.

Practice takes places on Saturday with roads closed from 1pm.

On Sunday, roads close at 9.30am, with the first of nine races due under way at 10am.


.