Belfast Newsletter
A plethora of star names will be out in force at the Adelaide Blackhorse Motorcycle Festival in Belfast this weekend.
The annual show, organised by promoter and businessman Billy Nutt of Nutt Promotions for the 19th year, will be officially opened at the King’s Hall on Friday by World Superbike Championship runner-up Eugene Laverty.
Mar-Train Racing’s Alastair Seeley will also be in attendance as the doors open to the public at 2pm on Friday, along with North West 200 and British Superbike favourite Michael Rutter.
Carrickfergus man Seeley, who finished a close runner-up in the British Supersport Championship last year on the Gearlink Kawasaki, will also be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs on Saturday, while Rutter will be in attendance at the event on all three days from Friday until Sunday.
Nutt has also confirmed Manx rider Dan Kneen among the special guests, who has joined Dungannon businessman and race team owner John Burrows for 2014.
Ulster’s William Dunlop will represent Moneymore outfit Tyco Suzuki at the festival this weekend and it is hoped that seven-time Isle of Man TT winner Michael Dunlop will also make an appearance in Belfast.
Macau Grand Prix comeback hero Ian Hutchinson has also been confirmed by the organisers, with the Milwaukee Yamaha star in town on Saturday and Sunday.
Hutchinson is gearing up for an eagerly anticipated return this year following his sensational victory at Macau in November.
The Yorkshireman will also compete in the MCE British Superbike Championship this season in the newly-formed FFX Yamaha team.
The Bingley Bullet will make his UK road racing return at the Vauxhall International North West 200 in May alongside Australia ace Josh Brookes for Shaun Muir’s Milwaukee Yamaha team.
Hutchinson will be joined by Scotland’s Stuart Easton, who won the British Supersport crown in 2013 for Northern Ireland team Mar-Train Racing.
Irish road racing Supersport and Supertwin champion Jamie Hamilton plus short circuit prospect Conor Parkhill will also meet fans at the King’s Hall this weekend.
Each of the major manufacturers will be represented at the annual extravaganza, with the latest models from Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Ducati, Suzuki, Harley Davidson, Triumph, KTM, Victory and Indian on display.
The ever popular auto-jumble will be a magnet for collectors and tinkering enthusiasts while the off-road fraternity will be out in force with MX, Quadcross and Enduro/Cross County all represented in the Motocross Village, where motocross star Martin Barr is the main off-road VIP.
The festival takes place at the King’s Hall from Friday, February 7 until Sunday, February 9. Opening hours are 2pm-10pm on Friday and 10am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday.