The current Steve Henshaw Gold Cup holder, Guy Martin returns to the popular and picturesque Oliver’s Mount road racing course over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday 14th & 15th September for the 63rd Steve Henshaw International Gold Cup Road Races.
The Tyco Suzuki rider has won the prestigious trophy no less than eight times including a record-breaking seven-in-a-row between 2003 and 2009.
However the popular Lincolnshire rider is unlikely to have an easy time defending his unique record with 88 other competitors all aiming to be first passed the chequered flag!
Martin’s main rival is likely to be four-time TT winner this year, Michael Dunlop on the MD Racing Hondas and of course you can never discount the H M Plant Padgett’s Honda team-mates, John McGuinness and Bruce Anstey who will both be out to round off the 2013 road racing season with places on top of the podium.
Inspiring star of the current season Dean Harrison will be a serious threat to the ‘established’ stars around the 2.43-mile hillside circuit.
Add to the mix, Jamie Coward, Jamie Hamilton, Steve Mercer, Keith Pringle, Davy Morgan, Paul Owen, Mick & Mark Goodings and the prospects of exciting racing are really enhanced and you can’t rule out the man on his swan-song season, Ian Lougher, who so far has 131 wins to his name around ‘the Mount’.
The likes of William Dunlop, Ivan Lintin, Daniel Frear, Mike Minns, James Cowton are also likely to mix-it with the big bikes on their more versatile 600 mounts.
Michael Dunlop is also down to ride his 250cc Honda twin and will be out to rival his brother William for the top honours in the quarter-litre class, along with Phil Harvey, Justin Waring, Davy Morgan, Paul Owen and Seamus Elliott also charging for the chequered flag.
The 650 SuperTwins class will see renewed rivalry between Ivan Lintin, Jamie Hamilton, Dean Harrison and James Cowton with challenges coming from Mick Goodings, Chris Palmer, Daniel Frear, David Bell, Craig Shirlaw and James Neesom to name but a few.
The ever popular 125’s will no doubt see a battle royal between the two ‘retiring’ veterans Ian Lougher and Chris Palmer, who will have William Dunlop, Phil Harvey, Peter Wakefield and Tony Flinton snapping at the heals to name but a few.
Racing starts at 1.00pm both days, with practice and qualifying on Saturday from 9.00am and free practice on Sunday from 9.30am.
Admission is available on the gate at ?20 for Saturday and ?30 for the Sunday per adult, accompanied children 15 and under are free as is parking. Sorry all advance tickets have been sold out but there will still be plenty of tickets to be bought on the gate but these will not allow you access to the competitors paddock.
