ROUND five of the Ulster Superbike Championship rolls into Kirkistown Race Circuit this weekend.
In what promises to be an extravaganza of adrenaline-fueled motorcycle racing, showcasing some of Northern Ireland’s most elite teams and riders at their finest, the two-day event on June 14 and 15 is being hosted by the Temple Motorcycle Club in collaboration with Motorsport Enterprises, and will incorporate Superbike, SuperSport, Supertwin, Classics and Sidecar classes.
The race meet at Kirkistown will see members of the Belfast & District Club, Temple
Club and Banbridge Club coming together with a common interest in mind. At a recent press conference held at Eight South in Carryduff, clerk of the course over the race weekend, Chris Crowe, from the Belfast & District Club highlighted the popularity of the Kirkistown track among riders, adding that its technicality and capacity for speed makes it an event that everyone is looking forward to.
Magic Bullet rider Jonny Campbell is currently dominating the USBK Championship on his Yamaha. Not likely to be easily shaken, this young man is a serious contender, pleasant and unassuming off the bike, but very much a force to be reckoned with on it.
Expect to see Ross Irwin on his Magic Bullet Honda Fireblade, currently sitting in 3rd place in the Superbike Championship. He hopes to continue building on his recent successes and is looking forward to a two-day race meeting.
Another Magic Bullet rider, Ajay Carey, has had a slower start to the season, enduring shoulder surgery. Ajay is back and ready to race on his Yamaha R6 in the Supersport class, and he is a rider once back on form not to be overlooked.
It was clear that all of the Magic Bullet team see Stanley Watson as a driving force and
a huge support to them all. Both he and Jason McCaw of the JMCC Roofing team are
held in high esteem by their riders and praised for their passion and commitment.
JMcC Roofing’s Dean McMaster spoke of his continued enthusiasm for the Ulster
Championship and his experience on the road racing circuit this year. His team mate and former BSB rider Andy Reid is chomping at the bit, keen to get back in the saddle for round five, and hopes are high that his ZX10 Kawasaki will carry him into a 2024 USBK podium position.
Andrew Smyth, racing in the Supersport class on his Kawasaki 636, is
currently sitting comfortably in 4th position, and with MacAdoo Racing’s Korie McGreevy pushing podium positions, Lisburn’s Ryan Gibson and Spence Engineering
rider Aaron Spence all competing for pole positions, the heat is on.
Up for grabs over the two days are substantial monetary prizes and a host of silverware, with
sponsor Simple Business Telecom Ireland due to massively bolster the prize funds for the
Superbike races overall.
Motorsport Enterprises themselves are organising a ‘shoot out’ across the two days of racing, ultimately awarding the top 15 Superbikes and Supersport the opportunity to win the Fastest Lap of the Meeting Cup. Road Racing Ireland will present a trophy for Rider of the Meeting and £100 in prize money, while the Philip Wylie Trophy will also be awarded to Best Newcomer on the day.
There is no doubt the June event at Kirkistown is one to be marked down in the racing
calendar as not to be missed. Admission to th event is £25 for two days of racing or £15 per day, payable at the gate. Under 16s go free.
Friday’s practice gets underway at 9.15am with racing from 11.30am, with the first race on Saturday at 10.00am.
