The story of the club

Early in 1963 the Ulster Grand Prix stood on the brink of extinction due to acute financial problems, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board had just announced the withdrawal of their customary grant towards the staging of the race, and the outlook was bleak indeed. It was at this point that under the leadership of Des Jardin a small band of enthusiasts got together and decided to do something about the situation.

Thus was born the Ulster Grand Prix Supporters Club.

The excitement and euphoria generated when 300 people crammed into a hall in Glenavy, Co Antrim for the inaugural meeting of the club on the 11th April 1963 quickly evaporated with the realisation that the entire proceeds of the evening amounted to £65.00, a far cry from the substantial sum urgently required. What really saved the day was a decision taken to produce and sell a metal lapel badge inscribed " UGP 1963 ". The demand for this badge outstripped all expectations and was not satisfied until a total of 15000 were distributed. As a result the club was able to donate £1000 to race funds and the 1963 " Ulster " was rescued.

It soon became evident though that the precarious financial position of the race was no mere temporary aberration and the Supporters` Club discovered that the task it had undertaken was not destined to be a "one off" affair, but one which would make great demands on it year after year after year.

Difficult times still lay ahead, especially in the early 1970`s during the worst of the civil unrest in the province and again after the U.G.P. lost its World Championship status in 1973. This in particular, was a severe blow to morale and it took several years for the club to recover from the effects of the FIM decision. The decline in membership was nonetheless reversed and in 1977 the club was in a position to hand over £10000 to the race organizers.

Unfortunately, the level of commercial sponsorship which the event attracts, is still nowhere near sufficient to safeguard its future, so the organizers are still heavily dependent on the supporters club.

Thanks to the amazing generosity and loyalty of our membership we continue to provide substantial financial  backing for the event and indeed since 1963 we have contributed an incredible £800,000.