Ian Simpson of Dalbeattie, Scotland roared to a 123 mph win in the Belfast Plant Hire-sponsored Superbike Race at Saturday's Ulster Grand Prix over the 7.3-mile Dundrod Circuit.
Simpson, double TT winner in the Isle of Man in June, emerged victorious from a four-man battle fought out for the entire race distance with Ulster star James Courtney, Welshman Jason Griffiths and English rider Michael Rutter.
Simpson set the fastest lap of the meeting, at 125.036 mph, just short of the lap record.
It was a good day for Wales, with Griffiths winning the opening Superbike race and Ian Loughter scoring an emphatic victory in the first 250cc race. In the second 250cc race, Loughter was beaten in a thrilling wheel-to-wheel dice by Owen McNally from Coleraine.
Hero of the day was undoubtedly Robert Dunlop, winner of a hard fought 125cc race in which he eventually broke clear of Phelim Owens, Loughter and McNally to win by 5.38 seconds. Dubliner Mark Curtin had a fine ride in the 125cc race, finishing sixth at 107.159 mph.
