Alastair Seeley out to defend Superbike title with local club hosting event opener
THIS weekend sees the return of motorbike racing after what has been an ominous start to the 2023 season.
Numerous meetings and hard work behind the scenes by clubs, members and delegates have ensured that short circuit races in Northern Ireland have finally been given the green light after well documented, soaring insurance costs had previously seen all tarmac and trail events – including the iconic North West 200 – cancelled for 2023.
The Temple Motorcycle Club will host Round One of the Ulster Superbike Championship at Bishopscourt and are confident that the day will be a huge success.
Entries are open and flooding in, with top local teams and their riders from both sides of the border expected to show up and show off their incredible skills and fearless talent in pursuit of the USBK Championship 2023 title.
Motorcycle racing in the south of Ireland is still in doubt and the Temple club invites all southern riders to join them for what is set to be another fantastic season of high speed, action packed racing.
Both the Temple 100 and The Sam McBride Cup will be up for grabs on Saturday at Bishopscourt as well as points from the opening round heading into a now promising season of motorbike racing.
It won’t be easy to take the Ulster Superbike Championship title from Alastair Sealey who cleaned up at Round One of the USBK at Bishopscourt in 2022 on his IFS Global Logistics Yamaha, but there were plenty of contenders up for the challenge.
Jason Lynn, Carl Phillips and Christian Elkin were all hot on his heels last year, with Jeremy McWilliams and Cameron Dawson battling it out on the day. It’s anybody’s race to win and the big names are expected to appear yet again this season, with all of them in it to win it.
The sport of motorcycle racing has never needed the backing and support of the Northern Irish fans like this before and a fantastic turnout is anticipated on Saturday at Bishopscourt in a show of solidarity with and appreciation for those teams and riders who put themselves out there for the thrill of the race and enjoyment of spectators.
The Ulster Superbike Championship is set to be an even closer encounter with motorcycle racing at its very best and a day not to be missed in this year’s racing calendar.
Admission is £12 at the gate with under-16s going free. The first race gets underway at 11am.
