Dunlop hopeful of 125GP challenge

William Dunlop intends to compete in the first six rounds of the British 125GP Championship in 2012.

Roads specialist Dunlop has the offer of a Honda, which will be supplied by Mark Keen of KRP Racing.

The 26-year-old, who will return to the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix on Wilson Craig's Honda machines, feels the chance to ride in the British series will enable him to sharpen up his racing skills as he targets success on the international stage this year.

"I spoke to Mark and he is prepared to build me the best possible bike that he can, so I'm pleased because it will be a competitive bike," he said.

"I did the first few rounds of the British championship last year and was lying third in the championship at one point, so hopefully on a good bike I'll be able to get some strong results.

"The only problem is I need a personal sponsor to help out with costs because I don't have the same backing as I did last year. Hopefully somebody will come on board because the British races are a good chance to
sharpen you up for the roads.

"At the minute I'd be aiming to do the first six rounds of the championship, but that depends on my results because I'd only ride if I was competitive rather than wasting anyone's money."

The North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix winner is preparing for his second season in Northern Ireland businessman Craig's team and is likely to be rejoined by Australian star Cameron Donald.

He narrowly missed out on sealing a prestigious international road racing success for Craig's team at the Ulster GP at Dundrod last August, when he twice lost the lead of the Supersport races on the final lap of each race at the hairpin to his brother Michael, who notched a 600cc double and defeated Guy Martin to win the Superstock class.