Keith Amor wows with second International win
Keith Amor is celebrating another International road race win, but admits he is disappointed not to have taken more victories after battling at the front of the field in every one of his races at the Ulster GP.
His Ulster Grand Prix Bikeweek got off to the best of starts with a memorable Superbike win in Thursday's Dundrod 150. Two days later the Scottish star was back at the front of the field in the Ulster GP, taking a win, his first at the Ulster and only his second International road race victory, and finishing on the podium in every other race he contested.
Amor said:
"Wow, what a day! The racing was nothing short of awesome and after winning the Dundrod 150, I was really 'up' for the Ulster GP races."
"Overall, it was an enjoyable day's racing and whilst I naturally would have liked to have taken one or two more wins I'm sure it must have been fantastic for the spectators. I just want to say a big thank you to everyone involved with the team who's helped me this weekend especially all the boys at Dunlop, Charles Hurst BMW (Belfast), Dyce Carriers of Aberdeen, Boyce Precision Engineering and SBS brake pads."
The Dundrod 150 Superike race saw Amor tussling with Ian Hutchinson until, on lap three, Hutchy's Honda retired, allowing Amor to take a 4.75 second win on his Superstock BMW, and the fastest lap of the race.
On Saturday, Amor led the first four laps of the Supersotkc race only for Hutchinson to take over a lap later. The pair were more than eight seconds clear of the rest of the pack and when Amor re-took the lead on the penultimate lap it was all set for a thrilling finale - until the red flag came out and the result was declared based on the order at the end of the previous lap, putting Amor second to Hutchy.
The first Supersport 600cc race saw Amor and Hutchy joined by Michael Dunlop at the front, and again Amor led the first four laps before Hutchinson pushed him back to second. He ended the race just 0.176s adrift on the Kojak Racing Honda.
Next up was the feature Superbike race where the same pattern emerged. Lapping at more than 133mph, Amor led early on once more before being pushed back to second by nemesis Hutchinson and at the chequered flag the Suzuki of Bruce Anstey had relegated him to third, with the top three split by just 0.422s at the end of the six laps. Amor later explained he lost out on the runner-up spot after they encountered backmarkers.
The second Supersport race saw a four-way battle between Amor, Hutchinson and the Dunlop brother Michael and William, with positions changing throughout. The race was held in two 3-lap legs due to an incident and, lying second after the first 3 laps, Amor had to get the better of Hutchinson by half a second to take the win on aggregate.
It was nip and tuck all the way between the quartet, but Amor wasn't to be denied and after hitting the front on the final lap, he got the overall verdict over Hutchinson by 0.210s for his first ever Ulster GP win.
The final race of the day was the second Superbike race and it was nothing short of sensational as Amor battled it out with Hutchinson, Anstey, Cameron Donald and Guy Martin. Second on each of the first four laps, there were inches between the riders as they lapped at record-breaking speeds. However, after a last lap sort-out, Amor had to settle for third place on the BMW, behind race winner Anstey and Hutchinson, the top three split by just 0.335s at the end of the five laps. Amor also posted a personal best lap of 133.435mph.
He said:
"I was disappointed with the Superstock result at the start of the day as I'd made a break in the early stages. Even though Ian pulled me back, I knew where I was stronger than him so the plan was just to tuck in behind him and make a move on the last lap but the last lap never came."
"In the first Supersport race, I got the lead in the early laps, but there was absolutely nothing between the bikes and there was simply no chance to make a break. I got into the lead again on the final lap, but made a little mistake on the third last corner and was too defensive which allowed Hutchy to come by me. It was a really enjoyable race though."
"In the first Superbike race I felt really strong leading, but luck was again against me as I caught the backmarkers on the last lap simply at the wrong place at the wrong time and the rest of the boys went flying by. It wasn't easy out there on a Superstock bike against all the Superbikes, but I rode my heart out and it gave it everything I had."
"The second Supersport was a real battle and it was relief more than anything to get the win. Aggregate races are never are easy and I was fortunate that the two Dunlops got involved to mix it up a bit and I was just determined to cross the line first and it felt really good to take my first International Supersport victory on the Honda."
