Bishopscourt primed for Masters Superbike battle

The Masters Superbike Championship heads to Bishopscourt in Co. Down for rounds two and three of the 2016 calendar next Saturday, April 16, when IFS Yamaha pair Ryan Rainey and Robert English are among the leading contenders.
Robert English on the IFS Yamaha.Robert English on the IFS Yamaha.
Robert English on the IFS Yamaha.

English shone in the opening round at Mondello Park, with the reigning Masters Supersport champion clinching a double to take the lead in the points table from Randalstown’s Gerard Kinghan and Rainey, who filled the podium places in the first two races.

Irish Superbike champion Rainey was in excellent form at the Easter Monday short circuit meeting at Kirkistown, where he won both races, narrowly edging out Mar-Train Racing’s Dan Kneen to win the Mayor’s Trophy in the feature race in the dash to the line.

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Rainey will be aiming to carry his form into the Masters showdown at Bishopscourt as he attempts to turn the tables on his young team-mate.

Waterford man Brian McCormack, who was eliminated by an engine blow-up in qualifying and missed the first weekend’s action, is expected to be back challenging at the front again.

In the cut and thrust Supersport Championship, Richie Ryan leads the way following his pair of narrow victories over Robert Kennedy last month at Mondello.

Kennedy occupies second place with Luke Johnston and Nikki Coates in joint third in the standings having taken a single podium finish each last time out.

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The combined grid of Supertwins and Production Twins, Sidecars and the Superbike and Supersport ‘B’ Races will make up the rest of the ten-race schedule.

Admission to the event is £10 for adults with Under 16s admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult.

Entries are due to close in the coming days and competitors are asked to sign up for the event as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Bishopscourt will host two rounds of the Masters Superbike Championship for the first time this year, with the series returning to the Ulster circuit again later in the summer for the penultimate round on Saturday, August 20.