Up and coming road racing talent Adam McLean has been tipped for success at this year’s MCE Ulster Grand Prix, say its organisers.
McLean’s road racing campaign only began in 2015, and already he is creating a stir amongst the community. He has enjoyed success in this year’s road races, where he won the 600 race at Cookstown, came fourth and fifth at the Northwest 200 and won the 600 and came second in the Supertwin class at Walderstown.
At the Ulster GP last year, McLean finished sixth in the Maxwell Freight Services Supertwins race, and twelfth in the Barron Transport Services Supersport race. This year, he will contest the Ultra Lightweight, Supertwins and 600cc classes with his sights set on a podium.
“I’ve had a really strong year and it does give me a lot of confidence coming to the Ulster,” said McLean. “It was nice to get the Leading Newcomer award at the TT, I’d put a lot of homework in over the winter and did a lot of laps to get used to the circuit, so I was happy.
“Before I went, I set myself a goal of a 120mph lap and to do that on the third night of practice, I was over the moon.”
McLean will contest the Gym Co Ultra Lightweight and Plant Lubrication NI Ultra Lightweight class on the Mark Hanna Racing 125, the CRVS Media Supertwins and Maxwell Freight Services Supertwins on the Roy Hanna Motors/MJ Palmers Kawasaki twin and the Centra Whitemountain Supersport and Barron Transport Services Supersport races on the MSS Perfomance 600 Kawasaki.
“I’ve got the best bikes I could possibly have at the minute and I have a lot of good people around me so I’m more than happy with my set-up running up to the Ulster,” added McLean. “I’d almost prefer to keep my goals to myself but I know what I want to achieve and I will have a really good crack at it. In the Supertwins class I’d like to be there or thereabouts with a podium or a win and I’d be really happy with a top five on the 600.
“Dundrod is fast, it’s flowing and it suits my riding style. I really enjoyed last year and the fact that I’m now a lot stronger and my pace is a lot better means I’ve been looking forward to getting to it all year.
“I’d like to add that we’re a small run team and it’s extremely difficult to operate financially at this level, so we’re always happy to welcome new sponsors on board,” he added.
Noel Johnston who is Clerk of the Course for the MCE Ulster Grand Prix said: “I have a feeling that Adam could be the real dark horse of this year’s event. I have been seriously impressed with what I’ve seen of him so far and he’s only just getting into his stride.
“Adam is one to watch for sure, in any of the classes he’s competing in. There’s an added incentive this year for him to win the Supertwins race though, as race sponsors Maxwell Freight have created a pair of customised number plates for the winner. They’re a super company who regularly go above and beyond in their support of the event and the riders, and this is just one example.”
