TODAY IS Dundrod day. That is, the 70th Ulster Grand Prix which runs over seven miles around the Co Antrim town. First held in 1922, Dundrod is one of the longest running road races held in Ireland and it is also the fastest. Held on this circuit since 1953, the current absolute lap, owned by Welshman Jason Griffiths on a 750cc Kawasaki, stands at 126.10 mph. Recorded in 1994 in a wheel-to-wheel tangle with Ulster's Phillip McCallen, Griffiths is back today riding 600cc and 1000c Yahamas.

Inevitably the man they will all want to beat is Joey Dunlop, the 47-year-old Ballymoney veteran who continually shows younger riders the fastest way around circuits. Dunlop had no fewer than 47 Dundrod victories throughout his remarkable career and rides in both the Superbike races, the Regal 600, the 125cc and both 250cc events.