Ballymena's Dean McMaster tapping into knowledge of seasoned Macau Grand Prix racers ahead of debut at legendary street race on Air NI Kawasaki

The Ballymena man is one of three Northern Ireland riders who will take on the unique challenge of the 3.8-mile Guia course in southern China.

McMaster will join fellow newcomers Mark Hewitt from Portadown and Hillsborough’s Aaron Spence at the iconic event, which runs from November 19-22.

The 58th edition of the motorcycle race is scheduled to run over 12 laps on Saturday, November 21, when Ulster’s Paul Jordan is among the leading contenders for the podium on the Jackson Racing Honda Fireblade.

McMaster is the most experienced of the trio of Macau first-timers from Northern Ireland, having raced at the North West 200 over the past three years and having competed at the Cookstown 100, Armoy, Tandragee 100, Oliver’s Mount in Scarborough and Aberdare Park.

The 32-year-old will be the sole Kawasaki rider on the start line at Macau on his Air NI ZX-10RR machine, with the 20-strong field consisting predominantly of BMW and Honda machinery.

McMaster, like Hewitt and Spence, is a regular in the Ulster Superbike Championship and the opportunity to travel to the other side of the world to compete in a race like no other has filled him with a mix of apprehension and excitement.

However, he has taken advice from leading Irish road racers Michael Sweeney and Jordan, plus former competitor Stephen Thompson – all seasoned Macau exponents – and is satisfied he has done all the groundwork he can before jetting off to the Far East in a few weeks’ time.

“I’ve been watching a hell of a lot of on-board videos and being the age I am, we all played the PlayStation game when we were kids, TT Superbike 2, so you have an idea of where the track goes,” McMaster said.

“But I’ve watched a lot of on-boards and I’ve had a good chat with Paul Jordan about the circuit and Michael Sweeney recently. I’ve even had a word with Stephen Thompson about it.

“Sweeney said to me it was as tough as a six-lap TT race because of the concentration levels you need in the heat, but I do think he was just trying to make sure you treat the place with the respect it deserves because they know you and they care about you.

“I actually went to Room Race in Ballymoney because they have a car simulator that has the Macau circuit in it and I did an hour in that last weekend.

“I did feel it was quite beneficial because you can watch all the videos you want, but you’re not interacting with it. With the simulator, yes it’s a car, but you’re able to know whether you’re going left or right, so I feel quite prepared going. I always try and do my homework before a road race.

“I’m really looking forward to it and even just having the chance to go and ride where all the greats have raced.

“Also, I’m going with riders I know. Me and Kevin Keyes have been riding mini-motos together since we were 10 years old and Paul Jordan was racing mini-motos with me back then too. You’re not going alone and it’d be different if you were going to the other side of the planet and you didn’t know anybody.”

The trip to Macau was an unforeseen additional expense that wasn’t factored into the team’s budget for 2026 and a fundraiser for McMaster will be held this weekend in the Square One Bar in Dromara.

“We’ve an end-of-season party and fundraiser at the weekend because this wasn’t in the budget to do this,” he said.

“It only popped up mid-August, so it’s going to be in the Square One Bar in Dromara on Saturday the 31st, Hallowe’en night. We wouldn’t normally be the sort to run fundraisers but it’s just because it popped up out of the blue.

“Part of the requirements are that you have to take a spare motor and we blew a motor up in June, so we had to get that built. Christian Elkin pulled us out of a hole and managed to get it turned around for us in good time. Christian at the Dynocentre does all my engine building and he’s moved heaven and earth to get that done for us.

“Obviously Bobby [Surgenor] and Richard [Simpson – of Air NI] have paid for it, so even getting all that organised was a headache and it all only got pulled together last Wednesday, a few days before the bike was due to go.

“I feel fairly well set now that the bike’s away in the crate and if I’ve forgot something, I’m just going to have to deal with it now. So I’ll just focus on the event, get relaxed, and look forward to it.

“We’ve got a special helmet done and a special motorbike with some gold on it and a nice skyline because you have to make the effort when you’re going.

“I think it will be interesting as well because you never get to see the car side of the paddock. We know what a fancy motorbike paddock looks like, but I’d say the car stuff would be like another world compared to what we’re used to.”

Along with Jordan, the Macau line-up this year includes four-time winner Peter Hickman, Rob Hodson, Phil Crowe, Michael Evans, Marcus Simpson and Italy’s Maurizio Bottalico, who impressed on his debut in 2025.

Davey Todd, the winner for the past two years, won’t be in action after failing to meet the organisers’ invitation criteria with the Yorkshire rider missing the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT through injury.