Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister attended the Adelaide Irish Motorbike Awards for the first time and reiterated her desire to do all she can to ensure the Ulster Grand Prix returns in 2027.

Emma Little-Pengelly is involved in plans to revive the historic race at Dundrod following an announcement in November that the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre) had taken on responsibility for running the event – last held in 2019 – with backing from Stormont.

Speaking at the awards, the self-confessed road racing fan said: “It’s really fantastic to be here and to see so many people gathered as well, and everybody in good cheer.

“It’s a fantastic sport, not just for the riders, but for the spectators and supporters. It gives so much joy and it’s good to be here to help celebrate with you tonight.

placeholder image — Michael Dunlop with Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly after receiving the Joey Dunlop trophy as Irish Motorcyclist of the Year at the Adelaide Irish Motorbike Awards. (Photo by Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press)

“I’m a great supporter of getting the right support to the sport and particularly around road racing. I’ve grown up all my life with so many people around me who are just such great fans of road racing.

“Obviously I’ve been up at the North West 200 many times over the years and of course recently, but of course the Ulster Grand Prix hasn’t happened for the last number of years.

“At my office in Lisburn I work with James Tinsley (DUP councillor) who’s a big Dundrod man, a big, big fan of the Ulster Grand Prix and getting it back as well.

“Together we’ve been working very hard to try to secure that and even today [Friday], we got a big team from Roads Service to go out and take a look at that track today to see what we need to do to get this back for 2027.”