By With the intended opening series round at Bishopscourt, falling foul to Storm Dave, Easter Monday’s ‘Big 3 Series’ Kirkistown event marked the opening USBK (Ulster Superbike Championship) and affiliate classes action of 2026.
From a roads-scene point of view, celebrated, new wave road race gurus chalking up victories, first three leader-board results were:
Stanley Stewart by Novogen Triumph vaulted Darryl Tweed (P2/P3 – Supersport races), having his first race outings on V2 Panigale Ducati metal, Jackson Racing Powered by Prosper2’s Paul Jordan (P3/P2 – Supersport races).
Kevin Lavery (Super Twins Race 1 winner), Christian Elkin (Super Twins Race 2 winner), Dean McMaster – P2/P3 – Super Twins races).
Russell Racing’s Michael Browne, Castleblaney’s Joe Loughlin, Jeremy McWilliams, Nigel Moore, RL Racing’s James Chawke all unlocked top five finishes whilst prospective Briggs Equipment Northwest 200 returnee Carl Phillips (Bell Bikesport B&W Racing BMW) claimed Superbike race glories x2 and a new event lap-record (54.305 seconds).
Selected 2026 USBK Kirkistown results, read as follows:
Super Twins:
Race 1:
1st – Kevin Lavery
2nd – Dean McMaster
4th – Joe Loughlin
5th – James Chawke
7th – Jack Meares
9th – Mark Johnson
Race 2:
1st – Christian Elkin (0.600 covering top three finishers – P2 Peter Willis)
3rd – Dean McMaster
4th – Kevin Lavery
6th – Joe Loughlin
7th – James Chawke
Supersport:
Race 1:
2nd – Darryl Tweed
3rd – Paul Jordan
4th – Jeremy McWilliams
5th – Christian Elkin
6th – Michael Browne
13th – Graham McAleese
26th – Paul Cranston
Race 2:
2nd – Paul Jordan
3rd – Darryl Tweed
4th – Michael Browne
5th – Christian Elkin
10th – Graham McAleese
Superbike:
Race 1:
1st – Carl Phillips
3rd – Aaron Spence
6th – Michael Browne
7th – Paul Jordan
9th – Michael Sweeney
10th – Darryl Tweed
11th – Dean McMaster
12th – Mark Hewitt
Race 2:
1st – Carl Phillips
7th – Mark Hewitt
8th – Dean McMaster
Moto 3:
Race 1:
4th – Gary Jordan
5th – Nigel Moore
Race 2:
4th – Gary Jordan
6th – Nigel Moore
Photo credit: Tommy Vennard, Derek Wilson
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
