Neil and Donny Robinson races top bill as Ulster Superbike Championship resumes at Bishopscourt

Kyle White
By Kyle White
Published 14th Jul 2023, 18:05 BST
Updated 14th Jul 2023, 18:08 BST
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The fifth round of the Ulster Superbike Championship takes place this weekend at Bishopscourt in Co Down, with the Neil and Donny Robinson Memorial races topping the bill at the two-day meeting.

Promoted by the Mid Antrim Club, the event pays homage to the Robinson brothers from Cullybackey, who lost their lives in separate racing accidents.

Neil died following a crash during practice at Oliver’s Mount in Scarborough at the Gold Cup meeting in 1986, only weeks after he famously won the Formula 1 race on the Skoal Bandit Suzuki at the Ulster Grand Prix, beating then world champion Joey Dunlop at Dundrod.

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Only 24 years old, ‘Smutty’ was a star in the making whose life was tragically cut short.

Derek Sheils (Roadhouse Macau BMW) leads Korie McGreevy (McAdoo Kawasaki) at Kirkistown in June. Picture: Derek Wilson PhotographyDerek Sheils (Roadhouse Macau BMW) leads Korie McGreevy (McAdoo Kawasaki) at Kirkistown in June. Picture: Derek Wilson Photography
Derek Sheils (Roadhouse Macau BMW) leads Korie McGreevy (McAdoo Kawasaki) at Kirkistown in June. Picture: Derek Wilson Photography

His older brother Donny was a three-time Ulster Grand Prix winner and renowned short circuit racer, who was third in the Finnish 350cc Grand Prix in 1982 at Imatra.

He retired from the sport a few years later but announced his comeback in 1997 aged 43 after 11 years away from racing.

Sadly, he died following a crash during a practice session at the North West 200 in 1999, where he previously won twice.

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The feature Neil and Donny Robinson Memorial races, for Superbike and Supersport riders respectively, will take place on Sunday.

Jason Lynn (J McC Roofing Racing) is a major contender in the Superbike and Supersport races at the Neil and Donny Robinson Memorial meeting this weekend. Picture: Derek Wilson PhotographyJason Lynn (J McC Roofing Racing) is a major contender in the Superbike and Supersport races at the Neil and Donny Robinson Memorial meeting this weekend. Picture: Derek Wilson Photography
Jason Lynn (J McC Roofing Racing) is a major contender in the Superbike and Supersport races at the Neil and Donny Robinson Memorial meeting this weekend. Picture: Derek Wilson Photography

A full racing programme will also be run on Saturday, with practice set to commence from 9:15am.

Jason Lynn leads the Ulster Superbike standings by 24 points from McAdoo Kawasaki Racing’s Korie McGreevy, with Derek Sheils in third.

Lynn will be aiming to stretch his advantage this weekend as he targets a first Ulster Superbike title on the J McC Roofing Kawasaki.

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Republic of Ireland rider Sheils, who missed the first round, was a winner last time out at Kirkistown at the beginning of June on the Roadhouse Macau BMW.

Cork’s Mike Browne is another leading contender on the Burrows Engineering/RK Racing BMW M1000RR.

The line-up also includes Jonny Campbell and Luke Johnston, although Donegal’s Richard Kerr – who won the Neil Robinson race for the first time in 2022 – is not entered on his AMD Motorsport Honda as he prepares for next weekend’s National Superstock 1000 round at Brands Hatch in Kent.

Admission is £25 for a weekend pass or £15 per day.