Ulster Superbike champion Carl Phillips has 'unfinished business' in British Superstock paddock ahead of 2026 return on BMW
Carl Phillips says he has “unfinished business” in the British Superstock paddock after securing an opportunity to race in England this season with Northern Ireland team Lion Heart Moto Racing.
The Lisburn man won the Ulster Superbike Championship for the second time in 2025 on his return to the series after a few years away, while Phillips also clinched the prestigious Sunflower Trophy after edging out Eugene McManus in a final-lap battle at Bishopscourt in Co Down in October.
The 32-year-old last raced in the British Superbike Championship in 2018 with the Gearlink Kawasaki team.
Prior to that, Phillips finished as the runner-up in the Superstock 600 championship in 2016 before making the step up to the Superstock 1000 category in 2017.
He will continue to compete in the Ulster Superbike Championship this year and also intends to return to the North West 200.
However, his primary focus will be on seizing his chance to make his mark in the Superstock 1000 class, when Phillips and fellow USBK contender Ryan Gibson will ride BMW machinery in the Lion Heart Moto Racing colours.
“BSB is so cutthroat and you just need to be in the right circles to keep in the paddock,” Phillips said, reflecting on his previous involvement tin the championship.
“Obviously Michael (de Bidaph, Gearlink Kawasaki) was a big part of what I did and I took the decision to
go into Superbikes, and I genuinely think it set me back in my career.
“I sort of lost my love for the sport and I’d been away for a couple of years, but I think now I’m more hungry than ever.
“I was given an amazing opportunity by Alun Gorman (SBT Racing) and his team and this year I’m getting back into the British championship.
“I just take every day as it comes but I’ll try my best and I think I have a bit of unfinished business in the Superstock paddock, so I want to try and go back there and do my best, and do everyone in the team proud,” he added.
“I just want to enjoy it because I’ve been away, and I am enjoying my racing now more than I ever have, and credit to everyone that’s behind me.”
Phillips’ achievements in 2025 were recognised at the Adelaide Irish Motorbike Awards earlier this month, where he was named Short Circuit Rider of the Year on Irish Circuits.
He will now be hoping for another big year in 2026 as he challenges for silverware on three fronts in the National Superstock 1000 series, Ulster Superbike Championship and NW200, where he made his debut in 2019.
On his last appearance at the north coast road race, Phillips impressed with a fine ride to seventh place in the opening Superstock race on the SBR Suzuki.
He will ride the BMW at the North West from May 6-9 and also has a Ducati Panigale V2 for the Supersport races.
“I wanted another go at the North West on a good package,” said Phillips.
“I’m training hard and looking forward to it. Ryan (Gibson) does the North West too and it’s good to have him in the team. We’re good mates and he knows a bit about the BMW.
“It’s a good opportunity and I want to make the most of it, so we’ve a busy year ahead but I’m looking forward to it all.”