Retro Rewind: World-record lap and Superbike double for Manxman Conor Cummins at Ulster Grand Prix

Since the team’s inception in 1982, Cookstown businessman Winston McAdoo has been the driving force behind the family outfit, which has become firmly established as one of the most successful privateer teams in the sport.

From an initial association with the evergreen Paul Cranston in 1983, the McAdoo Racing team has launched the careers of some of the sport’s biggest stars, nurturing the raw talent of riders such as Ryan Farquhar and Ian Hutchinson and providing the resources for more experienced competitors in the mould of popular Cumbrian Bob Jackson and unassuming Ulsterman Brian Reid to ruffle the feathers of the big factory teams.

In 2009, young Manxman Conor Cummins added his name to the prestigious list of McAdoo riders following a short but promising spell in the famous purple livery at the Southern 100 and rain-lashed Ulster GP in 2008.

Cummins burst onto the scene in 2007 when he obliterated the opposition to win the Irish Senior and Supersport road racing titles during his first full season between the hedges. The Ramsey ace is tipped to haul McAdoo Racing back to the pinnacle of the sport after two stuttering seasons.

In 2007, Donegal man Ray Porter’s retirement from road racing during the North West 200 left the McAdoo team without a rider for the TT, but they ended the year on a high note after re-signing Ryan Farquhar, who blazed a trail at the Mid-Antrim 150 to bag a four-timer.

With the successful re-establishment of a proven partnership the Co. Tyrone outfit went into 2008 season with optimism restored, but an unexpected financial disagreement between Farquhar and the team owners threw a proverbial spanner in the works and the team was forced to axe their TT plans for the second year in succession.

Cummins, though, was determined to make his mark with the Kawasaki Motors UK-backed team.

He said: “I’d like to win everything I enter this year. That might come across as being a bit big-headed of me to say that, but I’ve got every chance with the McAdoo Kawasaki Racing set-up.

“It’s all looking really good and the bikes should be among the best on the grid, so it’s up to me really. The TT is the top goal for this year and always will be, but the North West is a totally awesome event and I’ll always come back here as long as I’m riding bikes,” added Cummins.

“It’s the high speeds that you get up to and the close racing - there’s about 15 lads on the grid that can win a race at the North West and that’s what makes it exciting.

“There’s also such a great atmosphere and obviously a lot of people watching the racing. There’s a lot of luck involved in winning a race at the North West and you’ve got to use your head. It comes down to who is the wisest in the bunch on the day.”

Cummins was in no doubt his Kawasaki machines would be more than a match for anything on the grid in 2009.

“The Southern 100 last year was a really exciting time for me because I’d never ridden a Kawasaki before and when I jumped on the McAdoo bikes it all clicked for me first time,” he said.

“We went to the Ulster Grand Prix and on the Superstock bike I was under the lap record, so the potential of the team - who have enjoyed so much success in the past - combined with the performance of the bikes has given me the utmost confidence in the whole set-up.”

Later that season, Cummins became the fastest road racer in the world with a lap of 133.284 mph on his way to victory in the Dundrod 150 Superbike race.

He then clinched his first major international triumph at the Ulster Grand Prix proper in the feature Superbike race, narrowly holding off Ian Hutchinson and Guy Martin to take the spoils for the delighted Ulster team.

A serious accident in 2010 at the Isle of Man TT slowed Cummins’ progress but he fought his way back to become a leading contender once more and returned to the rostrum in the Lightweight race at the TT in 2013.

See also:

- Retro Rewind - Steve Plater's dramatic 2009 Senior TT triumph- Retro Rewind - Guy Martin's final Ulster Grand Prix success- Retro Rewind - Three reasons why 2004 was such a special year for Ryan Farquhar- Retro Rewind - Young Portadown rider Wayne Hamilton was destined for the top- Retro Rewind - Michael Dunlop's first 'Race of Legends' win at Armoy- Retro Rewind - Special day for the Dunlops at North West 200* A message from the Editor:

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