The Ice Valley by Motorsave Trade team enjoyed an excellent Ulster Grand Prix meeting this week with Peter Hickman posting some excellent results on his debut, which included becoming the fastest ever newcomer at the event after a lap of over 131mph, and team owner Paul Shoesmith achieving some of his best results around the high-speed Dundrod circuit.
Louth’s Hickman overcame a spill at Wheeler’s on the opening lap of Thursday morning’s Superstock qualifying session to be back out in time for the Dundrod 150 races later in the day and he opened his account with a stunning seventh in the Superbike. Riding the Superstock BMW, his fastest lap of 131.198mph comfortably made him the fastest ever rider around the 7.4-mile circuit and using the same bike, he then won the National Challenge race by over 20 seconds with yet more 130mph+ laps.
Saturday’s action saw the Ulster Grand Prix races held in much less favourable conditions with drizzle and strong winds affecting everyone. Louth rider Hickman was undeterred though and took two more excellent results in the feature Superbike and Superstock races with a brace of fifths the outcome. It also meant he was awarded the ‘Best Newcomer’ trophy, just as he had done at the Isle of Man TT and North West 200 meetings earlier this season.
Team owner Shoesmith was also in action and took a brace of top twenty finishes in Thursday’s Dundrod 150 races with 13th in the Supertwins and 20th in the Superbike. However, the Poynton rider enjoyed a really strong Ulster Grand Prix race day with his best result coming in the second Supertwins race where he took an excellent eighth place. He also took 11th in the Supersport race and 12th in the Superstock race to crown an excellent meeting for the team
Peter Hickman: “It’s been another really good and enjoyable meeting for me and I’m delighted with the results and to pick up the ‘Best Newcomer’ award again. I made a bit of a mistake on Thursday and crashed out, making a real mess of the bike, but the team did wonders to get me back out in time for the races whilst Steve Hicken and Michael Dunlop helped me out with various parts. The bike felt exactly the same as it did before the crash and to get seventh and lap at more than 131mph in the Dundrod 150 race was really pleasing given the state the bike was in a few hours earlier.”
“It was a lot tougher on Saturday with the poor weather, which was unfortunate for everyone, as it made both riding and tyre choice tricky. I was over the moon with a pair of fifths though, especially in the Superbike race, and I’ve really enjoyed my first time at Dundrod. Shoey and the whole team have been mega and they did a mint job all week so it’s nice to repay them with some good results.”
Paul Shoesmith, Team Owner: “Once again, Peter’s attitude to the whole meeting has been exemplary and the whole team’s ecstatic with his results. He’s learnt the circuit so quickly and although he was obviously disappointed to have tipped off, he came back in superb style not only in terms of his results but also his lap in excess of 131mph which has made him the fastest newcomer in the history of the event. He’s attained some fantastic results, particularly those achieved in difficult conditions, so we couldn’t be happier.”
“As for my own results, I exceeded my expectations. I tend to finish in the top half of the races but this week I finished in the top third of all of them and I was well chuffed with the Superstock result as it’s such a tough class. I had a great battle in the second Supertwins race which wrapped up my week nicely so a big thanks to all the team for working so hard and all the sponsors for making it all possible.”
Paul now heads to the Isle of Man where he’ll be contesting the Formula 1 Classic TT race on the RLR Motorsports GSXR750 Suzuki. The 4-lap race takes place on Monday August 25th.
Pictures by Jon Jessop Photography.
