Carl Phillips aiming to wrap up back-to-back Ulster Superbike titles this weekend as Bishopscourt hosts David Wood Trophy meeting

The two-day event includes three SBT Ulster Superbike races, giving Phillips – who leads the standings by 42 points from Jonny Campbell – the opportunity to put the outcome beyond doubt before next month’s prestigious Sunflower Trophy races, also at the Co Down venue.

A dominant double last weekend at the Enkalon Trophy meeting on the Bell Bikesport B&W Racing BMW was a huge step towards a third career Ulster Superbike crown for Phillips, who first won the title in 2019.

The opening USBK race takes place on Saturday, with two more races on Sunday at the Motor Cycle Road Racing Club of Ireland’s (MCRRCI) event.

Phillips is eager to finish the job this weekend before turning his focus to retaining the prestigious Sunflower Trophy in October, which he won for the first time in 2025 after beating British Superbike rider Eugene McManus after a last-gasp pass on the final lap.

Phillips will also compete at the final round of the National Superstock 1000 Championship at Brands Hatch next month prior to the final USBK round.

The former Gearlink Kawasaki BSB rider returned to the series in August, competing at Oulton Park and Thruxton and earning a best finish of seventh at Thruxton.

“The priority is the championship and I want to get that done,” said Phillips.

“Then I’ll be able to focus on Brands Hatch. I haven’t been there since about 2017 but we’ve done two rounds now so we know what to expect, and the bike is amazing.

“I want to go there and have a real good go at Brands and then I want to retain the Sunflower. I’m really up for it and no matter who comes, I think we can give them a run.”

Phillips shattered Alastair Seeley’s 2022 lap record at Kirkistown earlier this season and went close to Charlie Nesbitt’s 2024 lap record at Bishopscourt last Saturday, missing out by just over three tenths of a second despite blustery conditions.

Phillips recorded his best lap in 1m 05.487s (100.270mph), with Nesbitt’s benchmark standing at 1m 05.093s (100.877mph).

Campbell twice finished as the runner-up last weekend to Phillips and was left frustrated after his chances were hindered by handling problems with his 155 Racing BMW.

He had cut the gap at the top to only 22 points after the Neil and Donny Robinson Trophy meeting in July, where he won three of the four USBK races after Phillips registered two DNFs, but four wins on the spin have put the reigning champion back in control.

“The bike is just bucking and weaving down the straight,” Campbell said, speaking at last week’s Enkalon Trophy meeting.

“It’s not the wrong [electronics] map or something wrong with the map, it’s something else. I don’t know what to do next.”

Ryan Gibson, third overall in the Enkalon Trophy on his Gibson Motors/Firewood Supplies BMW S1000RR, is a leading contender this weekend.

The David Wood Trophy will be awarded to the highest points-scorer in the Supersport races and newly crowned Ulster champion Christian Elkin will be gunning for more success on the Bell Bikesport/B&W Racing Ducati V2.

The line-up includes former British Supersport rider Adam Brown, Ajay Carey, Rossi Dobson, Joey Thompson and Kyle and Ross Martin.

Korie McGreevy misses out again this weekend but the Ballynahinch man is targeting a return at the final round at the Sunflower Trophy meeting.

Practice and qualifying takes place on Saturday from 09:00 BST before an eight-race programme, with 16 races scheduled on Sunday. Admission is £20.