The 35-year-old Ulsterman is once again one of the top contenders for the four-lap RST Classic Superbike race, scheduled for August Bank Holiday Monday 26 August. However, this year marks a significant change in his approach—after over a decade of racing with Team Classic Suzuki, Dunlop will be chasing glory aboard a Ducati 916.
Dunlop will also compete in the three-lap PE Lightweight Manx Grand Prix on Friday 23 August, riding his 250cc MD Racing Honda. However, it’s the Classic Superbike race where he is expected to pin his hopes for success. Dunlop has a storied history in this class, having taken inaugural honors in the 2013 race on Team Classic Suzuki’s 1100cc XR69 machine. Although retirements followed in the subsequent two years, he made a stunning comeback in 2016 with another victory, setting a new lap record of 126.808mph.
His last two outings in the Classic Superbike race ended in last-lap retirements, in 2019 and 2022 respectively. However, in 2023, Dunlop switched to the 750cc GSXR SRAD model and promptly secured his fifth victory in the class, aided by a best lap of 126.681mph, finishing 33.7 seconds ahead of David Johnson.
The shift to the iconic Ducati 916 presents a fresh challenge for Dunlop. The machine has yet to claim victory around the Mountain Course, though it has shown promise with podium finishes in the 1995 Senior TT and 1996 Formula One races, ridden by Iain Duffus and Michael Rutter, respectively. Dean Harrison’s lap of 125.597mph, set in practice for last year’s Manx Grand Prix, stands as the quickest ever on a Ducati 916 and will serve as the benchmark for Dunlop this year.
In addition to the Classic Superbike race, Dunlop’s participation in the Lightweight race offers him another shot at victory around the Mountain Course. While recent years have seen mixed results for him in this class, his lap of 116.535mph in practice last year underscores the threat he poses to competitors like Mike Browne, James Hind, and Ian Lougher.
All eyes will be on Dunlop as he takes on this new challenge, with fans eagerly anticipating whether the King of the Mountain can add yet another chapter to his illustrious career.
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Ardee News, Ardee Sports, Ardee GAA, Ardee Gaelic Games, Ardee Football, Ardee Soccer, Ardee Rugby, Ardee Business, Ardee Jobs, Ardee Property, Ardee Louth