William Dunlop back on Track for Athea

Written by Administrator

Ballymoney rider William Dunlop will be heading on the first boat to Dublin on Friday morning, after his whirlwind three day trip to Mark Kneens KRP base in England eventually ending up with the double North West 200 winner getting his problems with his two stroke machines finally sorted, and will be on the starting grid in Sundays Athea Road Races in Co-Limerick. With a basically rebuilt 250 PJ Flynn/Ballygowan RRSC Honda, and a revamped 125 Honda, Dunlop is hopeful of getting back on track this weekend when he will ride in four class's, 125 - 250 - 600 and Superbike, the later two class's on the Chris Dowds backed Yamaha's.   William Dunlop:  "After the Bush Road Races last weekend, I was ready for the hills, with break down after break down with the 125 and 250 Honda's, seeming to becoming a regular occurrence.   I have had Paddy Flynn's 250 Honda engine almost rebuilt, so its nearly a new engine now in the bike.  Fortunately enough, I won't have to run it in, so it should be race ready when I arrive at Athea.   I owe it to Paddy Flynn and the Ballygowan RRSC to get the 250 Honda on the podium as they both have made it possible for me to get the bike back to race shape.  The 125 Honda I will be riding at Athea will be my own, well, Paddy's, with a new clutch fitted to her over in Marks this week.     Chris Dowds bikes on the other hand have not missed a beat all year, so I will be looking to a good run on both of them this weekend also.    I would go as far to say that the Athea race is my favourite National race of the year, as the people down there are just so good and kind to the riders.....they make you feel really welcome.  It seems that the further south you go the nicer people are, so yes, I am really up for this weekend".