The Ulster Superbike Championship blasts into action this weekend at Bishopscourt Race Circuit.
The opening round of the hugely popular series, hosted by the Temple Motorcycle & Athletic Club, is taking place this Saturday, April 2.
It promises to be a bumper day's racing with fans returning to the circuit following the restrictions imposed by Covid-19.
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Reigning Ulster Superbike, 600cc and Supersport champion Alastair Seeley will be the man to beat. The Carrick man is tackling the new Yamaha R1 which he described as being in the early stages of taming.
There is no doubt the IFS Global Logistics Racing Team will endeavour to defend their titles with entries in both the 600cc and Superbike races on Saturday.
Another team taking part this year and with their eyes on the prize are the JMcC Roofing Race team, a local Banbridge based outfit.
They have riders competing in the Ulster Superbike, Supertwin and Supersport 600. This will be rider Jason Lynn's second season racing in the Superbike.
He too has high hopes that his recent ZX10 testing in Spain and Bishopscourt will set him in good stead to give Seeley and the others a run for their money.
Having progressed from a Suzuki to the Kawasaki ZX10, this is certainly a team and a rider not to be missed. Teammate Scott Clements will join him on the day as the JMcC Roofing Race Team put four bikes out on the circuit.
Not to be underestimated are the Magic Bullet Team. Jonny Campbell, Ross Irwin and Richard McFarland have worked hard to make their name on tarmac. Jonny will ride a Yamaha R6 in the 600 Supersport, a bike he described as having plenty of punch.
With the support of owner Stanley Watson they have all the gear this year and have no plan to let Seeley out of their sight.
There was much admiration of the Sam McBride Superbike Cup with Seeley admitting that he had nothing like it in his trophy cabinet. The trophy was recently donated to the Temple Motorcycle & Athletic Club via Winston Buchanan from the family of Mr John Hayes having been presented to his father Mr Jimmy Hayes for winning the Temple 100 Road race in 1935.
The Hayes family kindly donated the trophy to the club in his honour and the members agreed it would be presented in memory of lifelong club member, the late Sam Mcbride, to be awarded to the overall winner on April 2.
The Temple Motorcycle and Athletic Club still in it’s landmark centenary year seem set to run another unmissable day.
Admission will be £12 at the gate including a programme of the day's events sponsored by local businesses.
First race starts at 11am.
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