Well for Saturday's Belfast Telegraph Ulster Grand Prix, the lough was barely visible for most of the day.

Racing was delayed for two hours, heavy rain having lashed the course leaving the brave and determined band of officials and workers from the organising Dundrod Club with a mammoth task of digging drains to let the water flow away before any racing could take place.

Despite the weather, crowds flocked to the circuit in their thousands, with the tented village of UGP merchandise doing a roaring trade.

The longest queue of the morning however was at Nibbles Catering outlet for chips, burgers an Ulster Fry, tea or coffee as fans passed the time waiting and wondering if they were ever going to see bikes take to the course at all.

All the while the riders waited in their motor-homes, caravans or awnings for decisions to be taken as to whether the race was on or off, signing autographs or chatting to friends or mechanics, deciding what tyres would be suitable if and when racing commenced.

Thankfully the rain abated and the commentator made the announcement that everyone was waiting to here: "Would all Superstock competitors make their way to the assembly area for your race."

First man to sample the conditions was 15-times world champion Giacomo Agostini who received a tumultuous reception from the fans in the Joey Dunlop grandstand with the sun-tanned Italian legend commenting before his lap, "The first time I come to Dundrod in 1966, very bad weather, like today. It is part of the race I think."

Before the first race you could feel the tension and expectation as the engines revved and then the thunderous roar as the pack flew down the 'Flying Kilo' in a wall of spray at totally mind boggling speeds in excess of 180mph.

Twenty-five minutes later rejuvenated local hero Ryan Farquhar, winner of the Superstocks race, said: "This is a dream come true. I won here two years ago, but since then things have not been what I was used to. It's great to be on the top step of an UGP podium again."

That basically sums it up. To the winners the spoils, garlands, champagne, the trophies, the adulation of the crowds and the fact that everyone competing has that lingering ambition to win an 'Ulster', but only a few succeed around what is the fastest circuit in the world currently in use.

Next up a win for Guy Martin, his seventh in two years at Dundrod followed by the first ever Dundrod victory for William Dunlop followed home by brother Michael, continuing the dynasty that has been so successful with their father Robert and late uncle Joey.

Then the Belfast Telegraph Superbike race and as the heavens opened three laps into the race, it meant the organisers had to cut the race short with Ian Hutchinson declared the winner.

More circuit inspections took place before racing was abandoned on safety grounds.

Man of the Meeting Guy Martin, who had a win, a second and a fifth in his three races admitted: "That was a wise decision. Changing surfaces around here make it treacherous in the wet.

"Top race meeting though and I got the job done today. It could have been better, but then again it could have been worse. I would now rate Dundrod as my favourite circuit."