Carl Phillips gunning for Enkalon Trophy glory at 50th anniversary meeting at Bishopscourt
Ulster Superbike Championship leader Carl Phillips is aiming to etch his name onto the prestigious Enkalon Trophy for the second time as the famous race marks its 50th anniversary this weekend at Bishopscourt in Co Down.
The Motor Cycle Road Racing Club of Ireland’s meeting was rescheduled from Easter after a weather warning forced the postponement of the event.
Phillips won the silverware for the first time in 2019 and later went on to seal his maiden Ulster Superbike title.
The Lisburn man is the reigning champion after making a successful comeback to the sport in 2025 following an absence of several years and is on course to wrap up back-to-back titles.
A double last weekend at the final round of the Belfast and District Club’s ‘Big3Series’ gave Phillips the ‘King of Kirkistown’ crown and an extended championship advantage of 32 points over 2024 champion Jonny Campbell.
With three rounds remaining in 2026, culminating in the end-of-season Sunflower Trophy showpiece at Bishopscourt from October 24-25, Phillips is in the title driving seat on his Bell Bikesport/B&W Racing BMW.
However, he is taking nothing for granted after two DNFs at Bishopscourt in July handed nearest challenger Campbell a 50-point boost.
“It’s only 32 points and I did lose a couple of rounds, more through using races as testing [before competing in two National Superstock 1000 rounds at Oulton Park and Thruxton] and got caught out,” said Phillips.
“I lost a 70-odd point lead, so I just need to build it back up and keep the championship in mind, and hopefully try and get it wrapped up before the Sunflower.
“I got the ‘King of Kirkistown’ last weekend and both tracks we have here – Kirkistown and Bishopscourt – are absolutely brilliant for our country.
“Hopefully we can get the Enkalon again and I’ll just get the head down and go for it, but to be fair Jonny (Campbell) is hanging in there, and he’ll have a go it.
“The times we’re doing now are on another level and we’re up about a second and a half from last year.
“I’ve took things up another notch and I’m a better rider than I ever was, but I think that’s just down to my maturity coming through now and experience, and that’s the way I approach racing now.”
The inaugural Enkalon Trophy race in 1975 was won by the great Ray McCullough at Aghadowey, which hosted the race until 2005.
Bishopscourt Racing Circuit has staged the historic race ever since and the Enkalon Trophy races in the Superbike Pro class promise to be hotly contested once more.
Along with Campbell, Phillips’ opposition includes 2024 Enkalon winner Ryan Gibson on the Gibson Motors/Firewood Supplies BMW, although SBT Racing Ducati riders Luke Jones and Jamie Lyons are injury doubts this weekend.
The Enkalon winner will receive £1,000 and will have the honour of being the last name added to the old trophy, which is set to be retired in its 50th year.
A full programme of racing includes Supersport, Supertwins, Pre Injection, Pre 73 Classics, Superbike/Supersport Cup, Moto3, Lightweight Supersport and Moto One.
Practice is scheduled to commence at 9am with racing from approximately 11:30am. Admission is £15.