From the start of the programme opener it was Gary Hocking (MV), A Gandossi (MZ), Carlo Ubbiali (MV), and Tom Phillis (Honda), who circulated the Dundrod circuit as one.
Phillis was the first to break, having slipped off at the Hairpin after his filler cap came open drenching him, and the Honda, in fuel. He pulled in to the pits at the end of the second lap.
From that moment on the MV versus MZ battle changed shape with almost every mile, with Hocking, Ubbiali and Gandossi swapping positions constantly. On the sixth lap Gandossi pushed too hard at Quarry and he and the MZ parted company, thankfully without serious injury.
Fellow MZ pilot Ernst Degner was a safe fourth after Honda rider T Tanaka fell and in pushing to catch the leading trio he set the fastest lap of the race but just failed in his mission. Bruno Spaggiari (MV), Luigi Taveri (MV) and John Hempleman (MZ), rounded out the top six.
After what was far from a dull race the victor, Carlo Ubbiali, centre, shares his experiences with, right, runner up Gary Hocking, and Ernst Degner.
