For the 29-year-old Newtownards rider, this is his first world championship outing since July last year when he was injured in Belgium.

A highly experienced competitor, Crockstar can reflect on four Grand Prix successes – two in 2000 and two in 2001 when he finished third in the world rankings.

Winner of three British titles, Crockard is looking forward to Sunday’s races.

“At least it’s a new track for everybody and that should make it all the more interesting,” said Crockard, who has spent most of the summer riding cross-country events in America.

“Over the last few weeks I’ve been limbering up in England doing a couple of British championship rounds,” said Crockard who rides for the PAR Honda team. “I’ve also been doing some of the local events.

“However, getting back on to the world stage and riding in front of my home crowd is going to be something special.”

In the MX1 class Crockard (right) is due to be joined by Wayne Garrett who retained the premier Ulster championship at the weekend.

Garrett is part of the TAS Moto-One Suzuki team managed by Ballymena’s Philip McCullough.

Southern Centre riders Stuart Edmunds, who has given Garrett a tough time on the domestic scene, and Ross Browne will also be contesting the two 40-minute races.

According to the entry list issued by the sport’s world governing body, the FIM, the MX2 runners with Irish licences are Shaun Simpson, Martin Barr, Jason Garrett, Robert Hamilton and Graeme Irwin.

Currently fourth in the world, Simpson is a Scot but rides for Roger Magee’s Crossgar-based KTM team.

So far this season, Simpson has twice been on the podium and a maiden win on Sunday really would be a fairytale come true.

The 20-year-old from St Andrews is presently recovering from a collarbone injury but it didn’t hamper him a week ago when he won a British championship round in Cumbria.

Barr from Ballyclare has also been in the wars and only recently recovered from a broken collarbone and broken nose sustained on different occasions.

Jason Garrett is the younger brother of Wayne while Hamilton, who hails from Portavogie, and 16-year-old Irwin all have a mountain to climb to qualify for the MX2 races.

Qualifying takes place on Saturday with racing due to commence on Sunday at 12 noon.

q The Maine Road Race Club which backs Barry Davidson on a 600 Honda is holding a Country and Western concert in Broughshane Community Centre on Tuesday. September 16.

There are six acts including Breakaway, Ann Breen and Marie. The admission is just £7 payable at the door.

q The Boyne road races scheduled for September 20-21 have been cancelled because agreement couldn’t be reached with the residents over the Tullyallen circuit.