Bruce Anstey is aiming to continue his impressive form into the 2015 Ulster Grand Prix and challenge the existing lap record around the Dundrod circuit.
The 45-year-old has had a very successful 2015 road racing season so far, taking victory in the Isle of Man TT Superbike race along with a trio of second-place finishes in the Supersport and TT Zero events.
The Kiwi also achieved podium finishes at the North West 200 and believes that both he and his Padgetts Honda team are in a good position ahead of the Ulster Grand Prix.
He said: “It’s my fifth year with Padgetts and my fifth year with the Fireblade so we know exactly where we are with the bikes.
“The superbike handles so well and we’ve been making improvements to the engine year on year. It’s a proven package really so we’re definitely in a good place.”
Despite being one of the older riders in the paddock, Anstey has proved on a regular basis that age is no barrier to him. The veteran has finished on the podium in every international road race since 2002 and has shown no signs of slowing down.
Not content with simply taking victory, Anstey now also has his sights set on beating his own Dundrod lap record of 133.977mph – set back in 2010.
The world’s fastest road racer added: “I didn’t think that record would last this long, but I can see it going this year. If it’s dry we’ve just got to smash it. I don’t know how fast we’ll go, but with the speeds we’ve been riding this season I’d say we’re in with a good shout.
“Even last year we weren’t far off in tricky conditions so on a good day it will definitely be broken.”
The New Zealander mastered the challenging weather at last year’s event to claim two victories and take the man of the meeting crown.
Hoping for more of the same, Anstey said: “Last year was really good, I haven’t had man of the meeting for about ten years but I’ve always felt really comfortable around the track. It would be great to have the title again and it’s always the aim.”
Practice sessions for the 2015 Ulster Grand Prix get underway on Wednesday 5 August, with the racing action taking place on Thursday 6 August and Saturday 8 August.
