Jonny Campbell aiming to extend Ulster Superbike title lead at Kirkistown

Campbell is currently 21 points clear of Enkalon Trophy winner Ryan Gibson after claiming a victory and runner-up finish last time out at Kirkistown at the beginning of June on the Magic Bullet Yamaha.

Gibson was left to rue a costly mistake when he slid off while leading the first race before regrouping to make amends in race two, edging out young gun Campbell by a tenth of a second in a thrilling finish.

The Lisburn man will be equally fired up to slash the championship deficit on his BMW machine at the Temple Club’s two-day meeting on the Ards peninsula, where qualifying and the first races take place on Friday.

Carrick’s Ross Irwin was in contention for the win in race two at the previous round on his Magic Bullet Fireblade, coming home only a second off the top spot.

Irwin holds third in the championship and will be eager to build on his impressive recent form.

McAdoo Racing’s Korie McGreevy is another top contender in the Superbike class on the Cookstown team’s Kawasaki ZX-10RR.

The former British Junior Superstock champion clinched the runner-up spot behind Campbell in the opening race two weeks ago and will have designs on the podium once more.

McGreevy and Randalstown’s Christian Elkin shared the Supersport victories at Kirkistown and are set to lock horns in their title battle, with Elkin currently holding a 13-point advantage after the first four rounds.

Campbell is also a key challenger on the Magic Bullet Yamaha R6.

Jordanstown man Andy Reid is due to make his comeback this weekend for Banbridge team J McC Roofing Racing.

The former British championship frontrunner crashed during qualifying at the Enkalon Trophy meeting on Easter Saturday, destroying his 1000cc Kawasaki.

The line-up also includes Ajay Carey on the Magic Bullet Yamaha, Andrew Smyth (MPW Kawasaki) and Mark Conlin on the NRG Ducati, who claimed a podium in third in the second Supersport race at Kirkistown at round four.

Aaron Spence (Spence Engineering Honda) and Dean McMaster (J McC Roofing Racing Kawasaki) will be aiming to make their presence felt in the Superbike races, while McGreevy (McAdoo Kawasaki) and Elkin (RB Engineering Kawasaki) are the men to beat in the Supertwin class.

Admission is £25 for both days or £15 per day, with under 16s free.

Practice is scheduled to commence on Friday from approximately 9:15am with racing due to begin around 11:30am.

On Saturday, the first race is set for 10am.