For many years, Dunlop's uncle, Joey, dominated the races over the Dundrod circuit, while in more recent times, William's father, Robert, was the king of the 125cc class, and William hopes to honour his father by winning this class once again.

"The fact that my father was killed at the North-West 200 in May certainly made me think twice about racing," said William. "But on the day of the North-West, I decided it would have been Dad's wish for me to take part. I remember that during the funeral arrangements I occupied myself in the fact that I had machines to prepare, although I didn't make a major decision to race until the Saturday morning.

"As it was, I didn't get much further than a few yards from the start, but, as we all know, my brother Michael did the needful and scored an historic 250cc win."

Back to the Ulster Grand Prix and William has a battery of bikes, which will include having five rides on the Saturday and also the 125 ride on the Thursday — a race which Robert won last year.

William was successful for the first time in the Ulster when he won the 250cc race in pouring rain, and it wasn't long afterwards that the meeting was abandoned.

"I remember that well," said William. "The weather was dreadful, but the fact that I had won my first race at the Ulster helped me to overlook the disastrous day that was from a weather point of view."

Since Robert's death, William has been fortunate, in that he is engrossed in his racing machinery. Every day is a new one, and he tries hard to concentrate on the tasks which lie ahead.

"Of course I miss my dad, who was my mentor as well as many other things," said William. "I still think he is looking over me, and perhaps he is. He was a great fan of the Ulster Grand Prix, where he had many successes, and no doubt he is looking down, wishing that I will follow in his wake."

Apart from the 250cc, where William feels he has a tremendous chance, there are also the 600cc races, as well as the two Superbikes, which will give William his five races on the Saturday.

"I feel I have a great chance of winning one of the 600cc races and, to be honest, the bikes are in such good tune I see myself as having a memorable day.

"My mum asked me not to ride at the TT this year and I respected her wishes," William said.

"Now a win at the Ulster Grand Prix would help to boost a season which, in many ways, has been forgettable from my point of view. I suppose tragic is a better word, but I don't like bringing my dad's death back into my mind. "