Argomenti trattati
The start of the 2026 season in the Ulster Superbike Championship has been disrupted after organisers called off the long-standing Easter Saturday meeting. The planned Enkalon Trophy at the Bishopscourt circuit in County Down—traditionally the curtain-raiser for motorcycle tarmac racing in the region—was cancelled because the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for high winds. Organisers cited safety concerns and the need to protect competitors, officials and spectators when making the decision to abandon the event scheduled for Saturday.
Why the Enkalon Trophy was cancelled
Event officials explained that the cancellation was not taken lightly. The club responsible, the MotorCycle Road Racing Club of Ireland (MCRRCI), framed the move around an obligation to act with a duty of care towards everyone involved. With gusty conditions forecast and the unpredictable nature of strong crosswinds on open circuit sections, the risks to high-speed motorcycle racing were judged unacceptable. The MCRRCI release stated that they would try to reschedule the 50th Enkalon Trophy, but there was no immediate replacement date announced at the time of the statement.
Official club statement and implications
The MCRRCI’s public statement underlined safety as the overriding priority and acknowledged the disappointment for fans and teams. In practical terms, the cancellation reshapes the immediate calendar: the planned first round of the USBK Championship will not take place at Bishopscourt, and teams that targeted the Enkalon Trophy for early-season track time must now adapt their preparation plans. Logistics such as transport, setup and tyre allocations are affected, and smaller teams in particular may need to rework budgets and test schedules on short notice.
Kirkistown steps in as the new opening round
With Bishopscourt out, the season will now get under way at the Belfast and District Motor Club’s meeting at Kirkistown on Easter Monday. That event will become the de facto season opener for the 2026 campaign. The organisers at Kirkistown confirmed their timetable, providing teams with a clear plan for the first full weekend of racing. For many riders and crews, the move to Kirkistown offers a steadier coastal circuit environment where wind direction can still be a factor but where organisers judged conditions more manageable for a full race programme.
Schedule details and what to expect
The revised opening day will begin with practice scheduled to start at 09:00 BST, allowing teams to dial in setups and complete checks after the last-minute shuffle. A 16-race programme is listed to begin racing from 11:30, so spectators and teams should expect a busy day on track. Among the featured contests are the first rounds of the three headline series: the King of Kirkistown (Superbike), the Prince of Kirkistown (Supersport) and the Presidents Cup Supertwins. These headline races will set early championship momentum and offer valuable points for contenders.
Key races and riders to watch
Despite the late venue change, a strong entry list remains. The lineup includes the reigning Ulster Superbike champion Carl Phillips alongside established names such as Jonny Campbell and Ryan Gibson. Among the high-profile entrants is Richard Cooper, a seven-time North West 200 race winner, whose experience will be closely watched. Also entered are Mike Browne, Korie McGreevy, Luke Jones, Mark Conlin and Michael Sweeney. Expect close competition in the top classes as these riders contest the early-season honours.
Teams and riders will need to be flexible in their approach after the Bishopscourt cancellation. The shift in venue compresses opportunities for early testing and places extra emphasis on efficient use of the Kirkistown practice slots. Mechanical teams should prioritise reliability and adaptability in setup, while riders must be ready to manage variable coastal winds and tight race schedules. With the opening rounds now concentrated at Kirkistown, the early championship narrative for the 2026 Ulster Superbike Championship will be written there, shaping momentum and strategy for the rounds that follow.