British Superbike riders Danny Kent, Lee Jackson and Charlie Nesbitt confirmed for Sunflower Trophy as Richard Kerr returns to defend title at Bishopscourt

Kent, who became England’s first Grand Prix solo world champion since Barry Sheene in 1977 when he won the Moto3 crown in 2015, will have his first competitive outing for new team Mar-Train Racing Yamaha, while Jackson will make the trip alongside up-and-coming BSB talent Nesbitt on the Hawk Racing Honda machines.

Jackson, who finished fourth in the championship behind Tommy Bridewell, Glenn Irwin and Kyle Ryde, had his final ride on the FS-3 Racing Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki at Brands Hatch following confirmation in August he will leave the team after six seasons.

Reigning Sunflower Trophy champion Richard Kerr from Donegal will also return to defend his title on the AMD Motorsport Honda, fresh from finishing as the runner-up in Sunday’s final National Superstock 1000 race of the season at Brands to secure second place overall in the championship behind Dan Linfoot.

“I was pleased I was able to take the championship down to the final race and there’s no shame in losing to Dan as he’s a class act,” said Kerr.

"He has a lot of experience, so I’ve learnt an awful lot from him and he’s a rider who doesn’t make mistakes and to win titles you must ride inch perfect like him all the time.

"Second overall in the championship is another big step forward so a massive thank you to Fraser and Mary [Dykes, AMD owners] and the whole AMD Motorsport team as well as all my personal sponsors.”

Dunganon’s Cameron Dawson and Tom Booth-Amos will lead the charge in the Supersport class for Gearlink Kawasaki, while Richard Cooper and Dean Harrison will ride for Northern Ireland team BPE by Russell Racing.

Young gun Dawson, second in the National Junior Superstock Championship, is also set to ride a Kawasaki Supertwin for Ryan Farquhar.

Nottingham’s Cooper clinched a Supersport double at the Hillsborough Club’s Sunflower meeting last autumn and will again be the man to beat on the BPE Yamaha R6, which he rode to victory in the opening British Supersport race at Brands Hatch on Saturday.

Harrison, who has been competing in the British Superbike Championship alongside his road racing commitments in recent seasons, will also be aiming to make his presence felt after some strong rides in the British Supersport class recently.

Dromara’s Sam Laffins, a double winner at Brands Hatch in the National Junior Superstock class, is also entered for the event along with Owen Jenner, who won the championship on his Yamaha from Ulsterman Dawson.

Newly crowned Ulster Superbike champion Jason Lynn (J McC Roofing Racing) and McAdoo Kawasaki’s Korie McGreevy have been in superb form this season in the Ulster Superbike Championship and will be looking to take the fight to the big-name visitors this weekend.

Practice and the first races will be held on Friday with the main race programme, including the feature 10-lap J.A.S. Sunflower Trophy race, taking place on Saturday. Admission is £20.