Nikki Coates eyes Irish Superbike title at St Angelo

Nikki Coates will make his debut at St Angelo on Saturday in the penultimate round of the Irish and Ulster short circuit championships at the Enniskillen Revival 100 meeting.
Cody Nally (57) and Nikki Coates (65) are among the entries for the Irish Superbike meeting at St Angelo.Cody Nally (57) and Nikki Coates (65) are among the entries for the Irish Superbike meeting at St Angelo.
Cody Nally (57) and Nikki Coates (65) are among the entries for the Irish Superbike meeting at St Angelo.

Organised by Cookstown and District Motorcycle Club in conjunction with the newly-formed Enniskillen and District Club, Coates will go up against lap record holder Cody Nally, with a strong entry also including Jason Lynn, Christian Elkin, Aaron Clifford, Ross Patterson, Korie McGreevy and Michael Sweeney.

Antrim rider Coates will be aiming to extend his lead in the Irish Superbike Championship and currently holds an advantage of 67 points over Gerard Kinghan.

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Coates also leads the Ulster Supersport and Superbike standings as he targets a hat-trick of short circuit crowns.

In the Supersport class, he leads by a single point from Jason Lynn with Elkin also in the title mix, only seven points adrift in third place. Coates has a more comfortable cushion in the Ulster Superbike standings, holding sway at the top by 36 points at the top from new Masters Superbike champion Robert English, who is a non-starter this weekend.

Double Mondello Masters Supersport winner Robert Kennedy will also be on the grid at St Angelo, while Loris Britton – son of the late Richard Britton – will compete in the 400cc class and is also due to ride one of his father’s machines in the parade laps.

An impressive list of newcomers, spearheaded by Coates, also includes former Supermoto star Declan Hoey (Castlerobin Kawasaki), Jonny Harvey (Karcher Kawasaki), Supertwins Championship leader Joseph Loughlin and up and coming teenager Aaron Clifford on the Kingsbury Packaging Kawasaki, who won the Davy Wood Memorial Trophy for the first time in September at Bishopscourt.

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British championship regular Richard Kerr (Bob Wylie Racing) has entered the Moto3 races, while road racing contender Michael Sweeney from Skerries will ride in the Superbike and Supertwin classes at the airfield circuit.

Two classic parade sessions will also be held, reviving memories of yesteryear.

Gates open at 5pm on Friday evening for competitors and at 7am on Saturday. Admission is £10 per adult and £5 for children aged 12-16, with U12s admitted free (if accompanied by a fee paying adult). Family tickets for two adults and two children are also available, priced £25.

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