The McKinstry Skip Hire Ulster Grand Prix has secured Aer Lingus as its airline partner for the third year running, it was announced today.

Honda TT Legends Keith Amor and John McGuinness met Aer Lingus Base Captain in Belfast, Harry Brady, at Belfast International Airport to celebrate the renewed partnership.

Noel Johnston, Clerk of the Course at Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club said; “I’m pleased to confirm the Ulster Grand Prix’s continued association with Aer Lingus, Northern Ireland’s best low fare airline. Our event just couldn’t take place without the support of our sponsors.

“Every year we aspire to attract yet more competitors and spectators from as far afield as the USA and Australia, as well as from European countries such as Spain, Italy, France and the Czech Republic. Having an airline partner helps us to do this.

“With less than a month to go until Bike Week, plans are coming together well. Rider entries close on 14 July so shortly after that I’ll be able to announce the official competitor list. We have some great names signed up and so we look set to rival the fantastic racing we saw in 2010,” he said.

Declan Kearney, Director of Communications at Aer Lingus said; “We’re proud to support this prestigious race which is now in its 89th year. It’s a good fit for us as it’s a truly international event and we hope to see fans from all over the world fly with us to our base in Belfast International Airport, only six miles away from the infamous Dundrod circuit.

“During the Summer months we fly from Alicante, Barcelona, Faro, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Heathrow, Malaga, Rome and Tenerife into Belfast. We also have a codeshare agreement with British Airways, which allows travel from all over the globe as far as London Heathrow, and then on to Belfast with us,” he said.

Bike Week 2011 will run from 7 – 13 August in Dundrod, Co. Antrim. Entry wristbands cost £25 and allow access to the paddock and to designated safe areas around the course all week. Under 16s go free.